iPads/iDevices in the Special Education Classroom

A number of built-in features, tools, and add-ons are helping to prompt Apple's iPad into the classroom. A concern: it is mostly an individual tool, not a tool for collaboration. Another concern: as with everything, we tend to go to extremes. It is just a tool. One that should be added to our toolbox not replacing all our other tools. It is a great tool but let's not forget all the other great tools. There is a time and place for everything: iPads, iPods, Interactive Whiteboards, computers, CD players, paper books! Let's look at how we might pull in these iDevices!

(As you are reading this consider greatly how to make the iPad a classroom tool or a tool to support an individual's learning needs (AT) but also be careful to not have the iPad become what we have seen so many computers become in education: a glorified toy.) 

The prognosis for iPad's use in the classroom is good, said Sandra Sutton Andrews, research director in the Applied Learning Technologies Institute at Arizona State University. "The concept is perfect for education--a lightweight computer, relatively inexpensive, capable of being used almost anywhere: in your hands, on a table, attached to a wall, built into a tabletop," she said.

For special education students it is the best tool that has ever been designed. Here are a few reasons why we might prefer an iDevice (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) over a desktop or tablet computer.

1. Ease of access – no need to be able to operate a mouse, a switch or to need to sit a certain way. The iDevice can easily come to the student, be placed where they need it and the touch required is extremely friendly.
2. Simplicity of programs – from very basic to more complex, the apps are design to be user friendly. For the moderate to severe population of students the amount of simple apps is huge, plus they are extremely inexpensive and visually draw students in.
3. Simplicity of use - many who cannot understand how to operate a computer, can understand how to operate an iDevice.
4. Low cost of programs – compared to the cost of software programs for a computer, there really is no comparison (unless you consider the abundant amount of Free programs available on the Internet!!!).
5. Apps designed specifically for this population (see other posting to right) – designing apps for education has become quite the market. The amount of apps designed specifically for special education has grown so much that there is now a category for it that stands alone in the iTunes Store.
6. Assistive Technology and Communication Apps are available that help to make this a tool for access support, not just a tool for learning (i.e. audio books, word prediction, visual prompts, etc.)
7. It can be loaded with many adaptive technology programs, thereby reducing the need for multiple devices. Talk about UDL (Universal Design for Learning)! This is a tool that can level the playing field for many.
8. There are apps that are inexpensive and exciting to increase vocabulary, sight words, math facts, reading comprehension, organizational skills, and drawing skills, just to name a few.
9. Built-in accessibility tools such as zoom and high contrast display make this a tool to support visually impaired. The built-in VoiceOver screen reader works as well on the iPad as on the iPhone.
10. Dragon Dictation is free, no paper and pencil needed if one can speak clearly, for writing text messages, e-mail, documents.
11. The brilliant screen of the iPad which creates and supports visual interest - The HD colors are bright.  The HD video is spectacular.
12. The right case can make it much less indestructible.
13. Light weight (iPad = 1.5 lbs.)
14. Instant Response/Instant On/Fast Processor

Consider this: Combine the touch screen, ease of use, and cool factor of the iDevice and you have a pretty interesting format for communication devices, social stories, e-books, interactive textbooks, art programs, musical instruments, photo galleries, note-taking, and more. The iDevices often allow people with disabilities to access technology without any modifications or adaptations. It could allow them to be more independent, to fit in, to use technology like everyone else.

But, and of course there are many buts, always, BUT... if you are planning to have the student type- use a standard size bluetooth keyboard! I cannot emphasize this enough. All of our ergonomic knowledge seems to be lost when it comes to iPads and we are just beginning to see the problems out there that are only going to grow if people don't start using their common sense. Typing on a small keyboard is never wise unless there are physical (medical) reasons for needing an adapted smaller keyboard. Using what we know about ergonomic positioning is key with all typing set-ups. 

This is a list of iPad pros, from a student’s point of view (wish I knew the student’s name so I could reference her. My apologies!):

1. Less space: I can have my textbook open and my iPad to take notes. When I used the computer, I had to have my aide take my notes because I couldn’t have both in front of me.
2. I can lift the iPad myself. When I use the computer I have to have someone set it up for me. My iPad can be tucked into the side of my chair and I can reach it.
3. Power: with my laptop I always had to be near an outlet or make sure the laptop was charged for the classes that didn’t have outlets. My iPad is always ready to go.
4. Waiting: there is no waiting for windows to start. I slide the bar and I am ready to work.
5. Independent: because of my fatigue level often I tire out moving the mouse before I am done working. Now I can finish a worksheet because I don’t have to move as much as I did.
6. Enlarging: I don’t have to worry if the photocopier is down or my aide forgot to change font size, I can enlarge text by dragging the content and scrolling.
7. Dictionary at hand: All I have to do is tap on the word and my dictionary opens on the iPad. In the past, I had to highlight the word, open IE and then go to dictionary.com and paste my word. Now it is one step instead of 4-5 steps.
8. Copy and pasting is two easy steps: highlight and copy comes right up. With the computer I need to use the mouse or the keyboard to highlight text, right click or go to edit to copy, open a second document to paste (edit paste or right click and paste), now I can paste to a clipboard within seconds instead of minutes.
9. Speed: I am faster. I am independent.  I am the student I can be with the iPad.  With the computer I was a student. But I am not independent. I have to wait for someone to assist me. I worked three times as hard with ¼ of the result.
10. Educational Activities: With the iPad I can have activities that directly support my IEP goals. Practice shouldn’t be boring.
11. Wireless printing:  No need to connect to a computer or printer to be able to print from across the room.

iPads 4 Learning states some educational reasons for using the iPad:

• Users to date are finding that through the use of different apps, students are able to choose the type of product they construct to demonstrate their understanding.
• The iPad is a personal device and reasonably priced to act as a 1 to 1, anywhere, anytime learning device.
• The abundance of apps and access to information on a vast range of topics allows students to pursue areas they are interested in learning about.
• Notes can be kept in one spot, commented on and available anywhere.
• The touch interface correlates to the technology students use in their everyday life and allows a high level of interactivity.
• A 10 hour battery life means the iPad can be used throughout the entire school day.
• The instant start-up of the iPad means greater use of class time for learning.
• There is anywhere, anytime access to current information that contains text, sound, images and interactivity. Information is represented with rich multimedia and data visualization techniques.
• Light and portable, easily carried in the school bag and to and from class.
• Heavy schoolbooks could in time be replaced by virtual eBooks and these can be updated in a timely fashion. Documents and tasks can be uploaded to iBooks by the teacher and downloaded onto the iPad by the student and vice versa. Texts and documents can be annotated and commented on by multiple students and teachers.
• The iPad is seen to be an intuitive device and minimal technical support is required.
• The iPad can be used with peripherals. For example the iPad can be slotted into a case which connects to a full size keyboard for extended periods of writing. There are also a number of other docking options which provide access to a full sized keyboard. Voice recognition apps can also be useful for inputting large amounts of text and is another option worth investigating.

Be sure to check out: iPads for Learning Getting Started Guide "Classroom Ideas for Learning with the iPad".  

 

Videos worth watching:

• From ABC News, this video shows a teacher using the iPad as a teaching tool with her severely disabled students.
• This video called “Special Education and the iPad” features Dennis Lamme, a special education student who uses the iPad to further his learning. The video was shot and edited on an iPod Touch.
• The Times tells the story of Owen Cain, a victim of a degenerative disease called spinal muscular atrophy. He acquired the disease as an infant, and there is no known cure for it. Although his parents bought him a number of computer devices to make his life more pleasant, they were all failures -- until he met the iPad.
• iHelp for Autism - Autistic children like Leo Rosa are showing remarkable promise on the iPad. Read more about autistic children and iPads in Ashley Harrell's feature story.
• Leo's life was transformed when a five-dollar raffle ticket turned into a brand-new iPad: The iPad: a Near-Miracle for My Son With Autism.
• Laura Theriot, mother of 10-year-old Tom, knows firsthand how incredible that breakthrough can be. Using Proloquo2Go on the iPad, she has learned things about Tom through conversation that she’d never imagined over the years.
• The benefits of Proloquo2Go on the iPad are not restricted to children, as blogger Glenda Watson Hyatt points out. Glenda has cerebral palsy that affects her motor skills and her speech. She recently bought an iPad and Proloquo2Go.  Watch account of the way it has changed her life.
• Wall Street Journal’s Jennifer Valentino-DeVries discusses iPad Gives Special Needs Kids a Boost.

Articles worth reviewing:

• School use of iPad technology and apps for students by Tracy Lynn Cook of the Examiner, offers great ideas for how to use apps to support education with special needs students. 
• Apps for children with special needs are showcased at the Macworld 2011 Mobile Apps showcase. 
• iPads provide needed tool for Stamford autistic students 

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  Now go out and make this tool a wonderful addition to our educational world!