Melissa JonesBromenshenkel
Associate Professor
Dept. of Special Education
Eastern Illinois University
There’s An App
(or Tool)
for That
Presented by:
Melissa Jones-Bromenshenkel
mljones2@eiu.edu
Professor
Dept. of Special Education
Eastern Illinois University
Reasons IPADs/Tools “Work”
Predictable
Consistent Pacing
Allow Control
Visualization of Tasks
Encourage Communication
Sensory Issues Addressed
Motivating
“Cool”/“Normal”
Allow Tracking
Some Characteristics of a
GREAT App or Tool
 Kid-first
 Simplicity
 Options
 Customization
 Flexible Content
Management
 Visually Appealing
Considerations
 Realize
technology is
NOT magic
 Individualize
 Cost
 Fragile
 Must Teach Use
 Practice
To Help Our Students with EBD
1. Social Skill Development
2. Executive Functioning
3. Behavior Management
4. Data Collection
Social Skills
Set 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
Functioning
The 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
Timers
•
•
•
•
•
•
VisTimer $1.99
Time Timer $2.99-$4.99
Stoplight Clock $1.99
Kiddie Countdown Timer $. 99
Homework Stopwatch $.99
Sharing Timer $7.99
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 Collection
The 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 thumbsup 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…