Melissa Jones-Bromenshenkel

Associate ProfessorDept. of Special EducationEastern Illinois University

There’s An App

(or Tool) for That

Presented by:Melissa Jones-

Bromenshenkelmljones2@eiu.edu

ProfessorDept. of Special

EducationEastern Illinois

University

Reasons IPADs/Tools “Work”

PredictableConsistent PacingAllow ControlVisualization of TasksEncourage CommunicationSensory Issues AddressedMotivating“Cool”/“Normal”Allow Tracking

Some Characteristics of a GREAT App or Tool

Kid-firstSimplicityOptionsCustomizationFlexible Content

ManagementVisually Appealing

Considerations

CostFragileMust Teach UsePractice

Realize technology is NOT magic

Individualize

To Help Our Students with EBD1. Social Skill Development2. Executive Functioning3. Behavior Management4. Data Collection

Social SkillsSet of skills people use to interact and communicate with one another

Sōsh• For iphone• For teens, tweens, and young adults• 5Rs: Relate, Relax, Reason, Regulate,

Recognize• Intended to be used in everyday interactions• $39.99 but Lite version is available as are

individual components (e.g. The Shredder, Voice Meter, Relax) at a reduced cost

• http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8B1243152EDDCD7C

Social Navigator

• For iphone• Used as teaching tool or behavior

management device; can capture data• Customizable for each situation by asking four

simple questions and then tailoring strategies• Targeted for children and teens• $49.99• http://www.socialnavigatorapp.com/social_navigator.php

The Social Express

• Software and ipad app• Designed for children and young adults• High quality animation• Teaching tool/printables accompany • Many settings/choice options• Based on work of Michelle Garcia Winner• $49.99 but free 10-day trial; Digital Problem

Solver $.99• http://thesocialexpress.com/

Social Quest

• For ipad• Designed for tweens and teens• Uses Story-Based Intervention which is an EBP

(National Autism Center, 2011)• Has receptive and expressive activities• Reinforcement through rewards• Keeps data for records• $21.99• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXKhWKIy3AE

Between the Lines• For iphone and ipad• All ages• 3 apps in the series: 1,2, advanced

1. Listening– match voice tone with facial expression

2. Body Language & Perspective Taking– what is he thinking

3. Expressions (slang and idioms)– what does it mean

• $.99- $15.99 Lite versions available; full versions have many more tasks and can accommodate 75 users; have more reward games

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRy4QF1E1Y8

Quick Cues

• For ipad and iphone• Social scripts (in mobile form) for teens and

young adults• 5 Modules: Communication, Life Skills,

Socialization, Coping, On the Job• Text-based—no “bells and whistles”/no visuals• $4.99 per module (only for purchase in-app)• http://www.fraser.org/Resources/Products/QuickCues.aspx • Script Lists-- http://www.fraser.org/Resources/Products/QuickCues/QuickCues-Script-Lists

Social Skill Builder

• For iphone and ipad• Wider age range (settings include: Preschool,

Elementary, Middle/High School, and the Community

• Uses video-modeling followed by questions• Addresses: friendship, understanding emotions,

problem-solving, critical thinking, and perspective taking

• $14.99 for complete version; lite version $2.99• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHtZwCZNZKc

My Life Skills Box

• For iphone and ipad• Teaching app for task analysis• 3Environments: Everyday life skills, social

skills, playing• Free• “Boring” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAJZwVrT0QM

Executive FunctioningThe executive functions are a set of processes that all have to do with managing oneself and one's resources in order to achieve a goal. It is an umbrella term for the neurologically-based skills involving mental control and self-regulation.

Nudge

• For Setting Reminders• Uses Pop-ups• Simple • Can send to email• Better than “another Mom lecture”

Todoist

• App and computer based (11 platforms)• Task manager• Has filtering and color-coding• Can integrate with text

30/30

• App and Timer Combined• Very visual• Gesture-based

inClass

• Combination of Reminders, Notes, Info Sharing

• Notebooks that can be reorganized• Allows Audio, Typed, Video, Pictures• Free

Penultimate

• Part of the Evernote family

• Allows handwritten notes

• Able to synch and search

• Free

Due

• Reminders for everyday tasks• Includes timers for various tasks• Has an alarm and a “snooze”• Allows you to cross off what is completed• Can sync across devices• $9.99

http://www.dueapp.com/index.html

Functional Planning System

• Video-based prompting system• Can be customized or can use video/tasks

from the library• Can set alarm reminders• $4.99

http://appfinder.lisisoft.com/app/functional-planning-system.html

Plan It! Do It! Check It Off!

• Visual scheduling• Works for non-readers• Allows child to “track” progress• Provides access to 26 pages of photos• Can be customized• Can send a pdf of list through email• $2.99

My Homework Student Planner• Focused on academics• Can sort by various filters– class, task, priority,

etc.• Rewards are available• Can sync between devices

For Fun…

• Towers of HanOINK

• Epic Win

• Task Hammer

• Combines note-taking and recording• Available as software and apps• Can use Powerpoint slides as background• Insert pictures, drawings, etc.• Highlight important information• $4.99

did u? http://diduapp.com/index.html

• Asks the annoying questions so no one else has to

• Uses your task list• Reminders can be “pushed out”– moms to

children, employers to employees, wives to husbands…

• Can send lists via email • Free

Mindmeister

• Brainstorming• Collaboration• Presentation• Paper planning and organizing• App and software (Apple or Google)• Variety of pricing plans• Very visual• Online templates

WritePad

• Uses one’s own handwriting• With stylus or finger• Has handwriting recognition• Contains a spell checker• Allows you to modify documents• Tools such as cut/copy/paste

embedded• $3.99

Tools 4 Students &Tools 4 Students 2

• Graphic Organizers • Visual and allows structured• Focused on Understanding what one

reads/planning writing• $.99 each

Behavior Management Set of actions (or inactions) that can help enhance a person’s or group’s behavior

iEarnedThat

• Allows a teacher to track multiple students• Goal-setting• Pictures are used as puzzle pieces• Children earn one at a time• $1.99

• VisTimer $1.99• Time Timer $2.99-$4.99• Stoplight Clock $1.99• Kiddie Countdown Timer $. 99• Homework Stopwatch $.99• Sharing Timer $7.99

Timers

iReward

• Uses a token system to reinforce• Can be applied to multiple users• Includes first-then two step reward• Many customizable features• $4.99

Class Dojo

• Can be used on computer, smart board, ipad, etc.

• Whole Group Management/Rewards• Real-time Reinforcement• Customizable• Report Generation• Tons of “Extras”– certificates, images, etc.• Free

Data CollectionThe act of collecting and processing data for the purpose of objective decision making

Tx (Therapy) Tools

• Frequency Counter• Percentage Calculator• IEP Scheduler• Chronological Age

Finder• Free

Behavior Tracker Pro

• Data gathering tool– various techniques• Can graph (with phase lines• Allows Sharing• Video• Multiple Observers/Multiple Students• $29.99

Chartkeeper

• Allows for seating charts and notes to be taken on individual students

• Can manage attendance• Has capability of free form notes or thumbs-

up or thumbs down with text options

iBehavior

• Teacher able to record positive and negative behavior data

• Will sync with online version• Can get reports on individual students, or the

entire class by day, week or month• Free

OoGali

•Uses QR Codes to record positive or negative behavior•Allows mobility •Data not stored in an accessible way

http://appfinder.lisisoft.com/app/oogali.html

Behavior Tracker Plus

• Allows a teacher to monitor student behavior

• Can group students• Also has randomizer and loop

timer• $.99

Teacher’s Asst. Pro: Document Student Behavior

• Allows you to track students’ actions, behaviors, and achievements

• Allows sharing• Instant Parent

Communication• Lite version for trial• $9.99/$5.99

Reference Tools

• Ideas for dealing with different types of “problem” behavior

• To-do’s and Don’ts• $1.99

Additional Tools?• https://iepq.education.illinois.edu/public/about

• http://www.hbug.k12.il.us/goalmine/goalmine.aspx

• http://brightlooplearning.com/index.html

• https://goalbookapp.com/

DECIDING ON AN APP (OR TOOL) http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/01/4-great-rubrics-to-help-you-select.html https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews

Evaluating an App (or Tool)

Evaluating an App (or Tool)

Checklist for Apps (Vincent)

• Use of app is relevant to the purpose and student needs• Help or tutorial is available in the app• Content is appropriate for the student• Information is error-free, factual, and reliable• Content can be exported, copied, or printed• App’s settings and/or content can be customized• Customized content can be transferred to other devices• History is kept of student use of the app• Design of app is functional and visually stimulating• Student can exit app at any time without losing progress• Works with accessibility options like VoiceOver and Speak

Selection

Checklist Continued• App is free of charge or inexpensive• No in-app purchases are necessary for intended use of app• App loads quickly and does not crash• App contains no advertising• App has been updated in the last 6 months• App promotes creativity and imagination• App provides opportunities to use higher order thinking

skills• App promotes collaboration and idea sharing• App provides useful feedback

Additional (Final) Thoughts…