iPads in the classroom for students with special needs - reflection on a Youtube Video

As discussed in my last blog, tablets (and iPads) are great teaching resources.   A video I watched (see link below) focuses on using the iPad with very young students with complex special needs.  Though the title of the video focuses on autism, the speaker Lauren Meaty an OT demonstrates many apps that can be used for a variety of purposes including helping those with physical disabilities, limited communication skills and developmental disabilities.

One of her examples touched on a girl with quadriplegic cerebral palsy who was very fisted; Lauren introduced a simple app called Magic Piano.  Almost in the first moment she demonstrated the app, the girl showed high interest and opened both of her hands to touch the keyboard.   It is amazing how motivating an app can be for a physically challenged student.

Another example in the video focused on triplets, each who had varying abilities.  One could speak, one had good receptive skills but not very verbal, and the third was working on receptive language.   Lauren used an app called Sound Touch that showed a picture of a cat and the verbal triplet said that it was a cat.  The triplet who could not communicate yet at all was asked to pick out a cow - and was able to successfully demonstrate this by touching the screen.  This child received feedback from both Lauren and the iPad as it emitted the sound "moo".   Both kids  were able to interact with the same app successfully despite having different needs.  In addition, this app varied its pictures and sounds; so it also taught generalization of the idea of a cow (e.g. not all cows look the same). 

 

There was student with Downs Syndrome who did not want to write; Lauren introduced the app Skywriters and it showed her how to write (moreover, the app would not let her write a letter incorrectly).  Over time, the OT introduced writing with pen/paper & alternated this with the iPad.  She successfully taught the student good writing skills with the iPad being a motivating medium. 

I have used the iPad in the classroom and find the high school student is typically at ease when using it.  I would love to use the iPad more and hope to find more apps that are appropriate for the high school level.   I am currently using an app called Videolicious which allows the user to make 1 minute videos at home.  I think it could be a cool way for students to demonstrate their knowledge on a topic or issue.  This could engage more students and would incorporate elements of UDL as it is an alternate medium for presenting knowledge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGU1ELjS7bQ