Using apps to aid in the reading process

Education 5163

Assignment 2 Gary Sweet and Bev Anthony

Assistive Technology:  10 apps to support reading remediation, executive functions, sensory processing, phonological processing, orthographic, meaning and context.

1.       Speech with Milo: Sequencing.

This app costs $2.99, and is great for kids who have difficulty with sequencing ideas and vocabulary in the reading process. There are 3 step picture stories where Milo asks you what order the particular event needs to go in. There is good feedback for the students- they all love Milo. There are other Milo apps, such as adjectives and prepositions to further develop reading.

We have used this app with students who are on the Autism spectrum, as well as students who are developmentally delayed in the reading process and have difficulty with sequencing. It provides corrective practice for these students in the classroom, so they can work independently on this reading strategy.

2.       ABA Receptive Identification based on Function, Feature and Class- cost varies from .99 to $1.99.

These apps are great for students who have difficulty identifying and understanding vocabulary. These apps would fit under the meaning processor, and more specifically the vocabulary and vocabulary retrieval. The task involves recalling the function, for example, using active working memory to hold the object in your mind while you search for categories to place the item.

We have used this app for students who have difficulty classifying and organizing information. Students with executive functioning difficulties would benefit from practice with this skill. This app could be used in the classroom with a partner or independently. As well, you could extend this activity into reading buddies with students in a younger grade who would have the same needs.

 

3.       ABC Pocket Phonics- $2.99

This app is designed for iPhone and iPad. It can start at the basic level of letter formation, letter sounds, vowels, blends and digraphs. The activities help students develop orthographic processing, phonological awareness and fine motor skills. This fits under phonological processing, specifically letter recognition, sound/ letter association and phonemic awareness. We could match this app with any student with difficulty decoding words while reading, as well as those requiring instruction and practice with letter formation.

4.        
Ibooks- interactive books $ Free!

Interactive books are basically books in digital format as compared to traditional books printed on paper. There are amazing differences and most of them are improvements upon “normal” books. They take up no space on the iPad, they weigh nothing, they are cheap to buy and updates are easy to get and free. But the most amazing aspect is the interactive features that allow students to interact with the text, illustrations and diagrams. By touching the screen, the reader can go deep into the text to find meanings, have it read aloud and even manipulate pictures and diagrams to move and rotate them. The possibilities are endless. This app fits everywhere in the reading process! It helps with executive functions, provides sensory feedback and it is so interesting that it keeps the reader on task. The read aloud option makes accommodations for those with trouble decoding and other reading difficulties. It basically gives many students access to information that they didn’t have before. It is engaging and will motivate struggling and reluctant readers. This could be used during reading time in class and for teaching in content areas such as science and social studies.

5.       Montessori apps- opposites ( pre- language) or Montessori Words- phonemic awareness $2.99

This app teaches word meaning through teaching opposites. It actually teaches students visually by showing pictures of opposites. For example big/small is illustrated by a picture of an elephant and a mouse. It will increase a student’s vocabulary and understanding of words when they come across them while reading. There is text to go with the pictures so the student can recognize how the word is spelled. This would fit in with meaning processing and vocabulary development. It would also help with overall reading comprehension. You would use this app during class time when other students were doing reading or word study. This could be part of an IPP student’s word study program, be set up as a work station or used with partners for teaching meaning of words in the younger grades.

6.       Language, Question or Sentence builder- ( Sentence Builder)

This $5.99 app teaches students to build sentences with words in proper grammatical and syntactic form. Students move the reels of words to form sentences that match a picture. The settings can be changed for different levels. There is corrective feedback, should you choose. The program also keeps stats on student performance so their progress can be monitored.

This app definitely fits in to the sentence structure and syntax part of the reading process but also helps to develop vocabulary and word comprehension. You could use this app for a student who has a weak or delayed vocabulary to teach words but more likely for a student who has trouble recognizing sentence structure in print. By teaching patterns of sentence structure, the student can develop syntactic cues when reading text to help decode unknown words. As with other apps, it could be used during language arts time when students are reading or writing. This app has writing applications as well because in effect, students are writing sentences.

7.       Text to Speech Natural Reader- FREE!

With this app, the user can have text read out loud. You can set the program to highlight the text it is reading so you can follow along with it. The tool bar floats on the screen on top of any documents and it is available any time you want to use it. You can set the voice and the speed to your preference. It can read websites, digital text, emails etc. This app has obvious uses as struggling readers can have any text read to them allowing access to the same text as their classmates in all subject areas. This is an example of a compensatory strategy. This app would fit in the meaning processor area of the reading task analysis map as the true purpose here is to allow students to access the meaning of text.

8.       Monkey Preschool Lunch Box-  99 cents by THUP games for iphone/ ipad

 The #1 preschool game in the app store. Learn and have fun by helping monkeys pack lunch! Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is a collection of six exciting educational games for the preschooler (ages 2 to 5). The six activities include: letter identification, counting, colours, puzzles ( fine motor), difference, and a matching/ memory activity. This app works on the orthographic processes of letter recognition, recall, memory, as well as executive functions of attention and concentration. It is highly motivational, interactive and engaging for students in the Primary range who are developing their literacy and numeracy skills.

 

9.       Fluid 2- 99 cents

This app is a virtual pond with music that allows students to interact and receive sensory feedback. It encompasses the sensory component of the reading process, and prepares students mentally and emotionally to begin reading. This app is especially beneficial for those students on the Autism spectrum who benefit from sensory redirection to prepare for changes or transitions in subject or activity.

 

10.   Time Timer- $4.99

A visual timer app with a clock that counts down the time. This is especially beneficial for those students with executive function challenges including self- regulation, sustaining attention, time management and pacing. All of these are skills that students use in the reading process. A reluctant reader may need a visual representation of time allocated to the task. It also can be used to alleviate anxiety for those who don’t have an understanding of time.