Accessories ipad mini


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AT Tools for Everyone's Toolbox, Part One:



In December I wrote a post, "Self -Accomodation Should be a Standard of Daily Life". In it we looked at the ways we accommodate the tasks we do day to day. We looked at how students need to have tools that are accessible to them and help them accommodate their learning. It is also important that all the tools be available to all learners with equal access.

Assistive Technology
The definition of Assistive Technology according to IDEA is:

“Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.”

Assistive Technology has lived behind the special education boundary lines for a long time, but trends are pushing us forward and prodding us with the idea that assistive technology and universal design principles aren’t just for our special needs population, but should be integrated into learning for everyone. Students spend 7 -8 hours a day in the process of learning new things and experiencing challenges to succeed. They certainly deserve as much of a level-playing field as we can give them.Think about the words “increase, maintain or improve”. There are greater demands on educators for accountability to demonstrate that all our students are increasing and improving test scores and mastery of common core goals. We want to see our student’s knowledge and abilities increase and improve, but students with degenerative disabilities may struggle just to maintain, so we need to make sure we include them in this too. If I feel that I have to work harder sometimes to maintain, just think about how our students feel! Put yourself in your student’s shoes and you will realize accommodations need to be there for everyone.
What are the tools to help them on this “Road to Success”?
There are low-tech, mid-tech and high-tech tools for student accommodation. Below is an overview of the low tech tools that should be available. In future posts we will cover mid and high tech tools as well as links to specific free software and video tutorials.

Low Tech Tools:
Low-tech tools are things like special pens and pencils, highlighters, scissors with special grips, pencil grips, embossed line paper, slant boards, transparent color overlays to lay over text for reading, text-framing strips, highlighter tape, colored keyboard labels, number lines and counting boards, enlarged worksheets, page magnifiers, fidget toys to help with concentration and sensory issues, highlighters, tabs, color-coded folders and visual schedules for organization. Having these things available in an organizer for class access would be one low-cost way to expand tools for accommodations.
Guide your students in understanding how they learn and show them how and when to use tools that make it easier for them. You might sit down with your students in a conference format and work with them to fill out a “Personal Learning Styles and Tools Profile” that helps them think through and check the things they know would help them succeed. Adjust and adapt it throughout the term or school year and help them define and focus-in on the tools that work the best for them in different situations.
Taking the time to set up the foundations for accommodation can reap huge benefits for all your students and establish life-long patterns for success.

Resources:
To check out an online comprehensive toolbox go to: http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/
A great place to see many low tech tools in one spot is http://www.onionmountaintech.com View their LoTTIE (Low Tech Tools for Inclusive Education) kits.

All the best to you!
Lon

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iPad Poster for Primary School

It has become increasing clear that many primary or elementary schools are moving into the touch and swipe environment in a big way. This is sometimes part of a system wide decision but many times this decision has been made at the local level in consultation with the parents. In order for this move to be successful we need to ensure that the students have their learning scaffolded in much the same way that we have always done. Introducing iPads into the classroom is not an alternative to good teaching but rather it is another tool that good teachers use. This poster is one that might be used at the very beginning of a iPad program to help the students in their first few days with their devices.





Aurasma App: Augment Reality With a "Virtual" Routine Schedule



Wouldn't it be great if you could aim an iPad or iTouch camera at a symbol or picture on a daily visual schedule and get an instant video of what the steps are for that routine? Well you can for free with the Aurasma App.
In 4 simple steps you can link a video in your camera roll or photo album as an overlay and sync it to an item or a picture symbol in the classroom. Once that is done, a student can hold the iPad or iTouch with the Aurasma App on, and the camera automatically sees the image and starts the video.

Easy Steps:
Get the Symbol
I went to Google images and picked a picture of a fiddler for music and copied and pasted it into a Word document, enlarged and printed it off for my wall "symbol". (You could use your Visual schedule images, etc.)

Choose the video
I looked on my camera roll and found the video clip I wanted to use of the teacher in music, then opened the Aurasma app and pressed the plus sign to add a new aura/overlay. It asked what overlay I wanted and I selected the "Device" option, then pressed a plus sign and browsed/to  my video to attach it.

Add an "Aura"
The app asked if I wanted to add an Aura. I laid the picture of the fiddler down on the table and held the iPad over the picture and looked to see that the red/yellow/green slider went to green, then clicked on the camera icon and took the picture.

Name your new Aura
I named it the title I wanted for my class activity/routine and it saved and linked the two together.
Done!

Use Your New symbol linked video with your schedule
Now when I hover over the image with the app on it gives me purple swirls and starts the video hovering over the symbol in real time.

Here is a video of  Aurasma being used in education:


Applications:
I am going to work with an intensive learning center I consult with to take some short videos of important routines and link them to some schedule symbols and see if we can't make this a fun and motivating way to learn how to come in quietly, sit at circle, listen to a book, have music time, wash hands for snack, etc. How about a video of a storybook that when the cover is scanned it reads and asks questions? How about a flash card or manipulative activity with a short clip on how to sort or play? I would love to use videos with card symbols that model cooperative play, sharing, taking turns and more.
The idea are endless.

Go have some fun!
All the best,
Lon

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Resources, Tools, Apps to Support Writing



I was referred to a great blog post full of good links and resources to support writing skills from TeachThought. Check it out!
Lon


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Google Drive iOS Update allows Offline Editing of Presentation

The New Google Drive Update allows basic offline editing of presentations on the iPad. Google Presentations is one of the tools we have been pushing in our Google Bootcamps but the questions have always arisen over the functionality of Presentation on the iPad. You could always open a Presentation and type in basic text but when it came to formatting there was practically zero functionality. You did have the ability to drop an image or shape into the presentation but could not resize it or even move it.

It looks like we will have to wait a little longer for inserting images, shapes and video.

Users now have the ability to create, view and edit presentations without an internet connection with Google Slides offline. This is automatically enabled for users who have already enabled offline editing of Docs and Sheets. Offline access to presentations is only available in Chrome and on Chrome OS devices.

Like everything that Google do, they do not wait until the whole suite is complete they release features as they are ready. I just hope we do not have to wait to long. These other features will be important for schools who have or are about to embark on 1:1 or BYOD programs and have Google Apps for Education environments.



New Google App Search Feature

A friend of mine @miss_martins tweeted a great find today on Google. It is a search feature just for apps. Type in any subject or category and let Google bring the apps to you. This is a great new feature from Google.





Video inside your Google Drive App


I am lucky enough to be attending a Google Apps Summit today in Sydney, Australia. Whilst I have seen heaps of very cool tips, tricks and new features for apps one of the most impressive for me was the ability to Video from within your iOS Google Drive app. We all know that some of the Google products do not have full functionality on the iPads, yet. The new features being enabled does seem to happen regularly - sometimes daily.

This new feature of Google Drive (well new to me anyway) is one that I can see having a huge benefit within the classroom.














1. The students simply open their Google Drive app go to the + icon in the top right hand corner.


















2. Select Use Camera. This opens a small window in the top right hand corner of the screen and you can take photos or video. As you can see you even have the option to upload existing ones.

































3. The photo or video is taken and then you are given the opportunity to use it or not. if you chose Use it, it is automatically saved to your My Drive. Look for your little Google Movie Icon to appear in your my drive. This is a great way to move video onto and off the iPad.

I love this!  I can't wait to get this into the hands of a group of kids to see what other ways we can this feature.



Collaborative App Guide for the Classroom - Monique Dalli (Guest Blogger)

I came across a tweet about iPad apps yesterday from @1moniqued and was impressed with a Google Doc she had started. I thought it might be something that we could crowd source further. I am going to hand over to Monique now so she can explain her concept.

Guest Post from Monique Dalli
As a "self-confessed-geeky-teacher" (aka edu-nerd) I play video games, I own multiple devices (of which I have issues with separation anxiety, but that's normal right?), I download loads of cool apps on these devices and occasionally, I find a way of connecting these to my classroom content giving me not only an excuse to "play" in the classroom, but to excite my learners and connect the syllabus to stuff they enjoy.

The first issue I had however was that I wanted more excuses to do this. I wanted to know MORE ways of integrating apps into my classroom teaching and students learning. The second issue, was that I was purchasing TWO apps that did similar things? This was happening without the experienceto discern between the best option, or after purchasing an app I realised it could not do what I actually wanted it to do in my classroom. 

THE SOLUTION! (now here is where you can tell I'm a teacher of D&T, every problem has a designed solution right!) I created a GOODLE DOC that tabulated apps, their functionality AND their numerous applications in the classroom being a google doc I could access to from multiple devices, YAY!


This document wasn't amazing with just adding what I knew though? SO, I changed the SHARE settings on the google doc to allow all who had the link the ability to edit it!! . . . . I tweeted the link, it got re-tweeted, some other clever teachers added their ideas and VOILA! I now have access to the BEST edu-list of current apps and classroom tips for integration ON THE PLANET! :) 
You want access to this document right? . . . You want to add your fave apps that you use in theclassroom with examples of teaching strategies don't you?. . . You want to share it with your twitter followers and colleagues?! . . .Well, OF COURSE YOU CAN!! 

Here is the link;


A huge thank you to the contributors of this document, their details are on the bottom of the page, add yours too when your done. 

If you want to contact me, you can do that via twitter: Monique Dalli (@1moniqued)- or find more STUFF on my blog here: www.moniquedalli.wordpress.com/



Cool Maths apps for kids

Maths Apps are the ones most frequently searched for on this site. I sometimes think that if I had some of these apps I would have taken a greater interest in Maths as a kid. It was not that I was disinterested I just missed some of the basics. With some of these game based apps at least students can be engaged long enough to discovery some of the basic maths concepts.

The first two were developed by an Australian App Company called GetShinyThings. I need to let you know that these guys contacted me and sent over a couple of redeem codes. Having said that I am always impartial but also happy to promote Australian content designed and produced by Australian developers - good job guys. Anyway have a look and see if any of these would be appropriate for your little mathematicians.

Jungle Picnic: $2.99 AU
Jungle Picnic is a funky learning app for preschool children with very cool graphics. The concepts are all about recognising shapes, numbers and colours. The engaging characters certainly add to the motivation, as does the growing complexity of tasks. This is all done with familiar objects and themes. Jungle Picnic bridges the gap between informal learning and formal maths instruction.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/jungle-picnic/id550930045?mt=8


Sakura Quick Maths: $1.99 AU
I have spent some time on this app and enjoyed the self competition it fosters. You practice your maths while racing the clock. The app features handwriting recognition which is pretty cool. Quick Maths is perfect for students to improve their all round mathematics ability. The multiple difficulty levels allows the app to grow with your skills. You can also tweet your best scores - great motivator

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/sakura-quick-math/id537802071?mt=8


Number Run: $1.99 AU
Baron von Count has stolen the 4 Mathemagical crystals of the land. Chase him down and bring him to justice or humanity will be forced to count on their fingers forever! Number Run is great practice for boys and girls learning math. Finally, a FUN math game featuring 52 levels across addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division that is also aligned to Common Core state standards.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/number-run/id563408572?mt=8


Maths with Mouse: FREE
We are going on a treasure hunt and only math can help us. From easy problems to the difficult ones, studying little by little we'll unveil the map and discover the treasure. All math problems are read aloud helping to connect aural memory. No incorrect answers. If a kid makes mistake, they can always count on a hint. Designed to be about discovery learning.

Fruit Frenzy: $0.99
In this frantic puzzle game you'll match together fruit as fast as you can to score big points. This game has the magic combination of addictive gameplay, great graphics and toe-tapping music that will keep you coming back for more. The unique row-sliding gameplay makes this game different to any other! Three different games modes to keep all kids challenged and engaged.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/fruit-frenzy/id416810370?mt=8


DinoMath: FREE
DinoMath uses a fantasy map with 5 different levels. The levels are initially locked until the player has earned high scores while navigating around the levels on the map. Eventually questions are timed and begin to include subtraction. Players are rewarded with coins for correct answers. They can later use those coins to unleash dinosaur-themed artwork that ROARS back at them.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/dinomath/id527739772?mt=8


Math-QuizUp: FREE
Perfect for students new to arithmetic or adults who want to hone up on their mental math, Math QuizUp lets you compete in real time against other players around the world. Are you speedier at subtraction then someone in Sweden? Can you defeat a Canadian at division? Find out with real time global and national rankings.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/math-quizup/id571238901?mt=8


Numbers League: $4.49 
In Numbers League only the clever use of basic math skills will save the day. The more you play the sharper these skills will become until no villain is safe from your numerical onslaught. The Minion-level game can be mastered by a five year old, the Superhero-level game will challenge even math-savvy parents and teachers, and Custom levels allow for a learning experience anywhere in between.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/numbers-league/id444781544?mt=8


Bugs and Numbers: $2.99
Bugs and Numbers provides an extensive collection of unique games dedicated to learning and practicing a wide range of math skills in a non-traditional way. Organized into three basic stages, the app grows with your student through 18 games ranging from basic counting to early fractions. Designed around a bug city, each game is crafted for a basic set of math skills.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/bugs-and-numbers/id577575295?mt=8


3D Maths Racing Pro: $0.99 AU
3D Maths Racing Pro will have your students begging you to practice their Maths Skills. In this crazy 3D racing game you get a speed boost for every problem you solve. It is The game is customizable so you can use it with students in multiple grade levels. If you have boys (or girls) who are reluctant to practice their math facts then this may be part of the answer.
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