iPad and SEN
Apple offers a huge range of innovative accessibility features which are built into all iOS devices as standard. With great features such as VoiceOver, AssistiveTouch and Guided Access, students of all ages can enjoy interacting with new technology.
You can find some great tips on accessibility information and options at the following links:
http://mashable.com/2012/05/11/ipad-special-needs/
http://osxdaily.com/2012/09/25/enable-guided-access-ios/
As well as these great features built into iOS, Apple devices have a number of hardware features that can offer the same experience for students as more expensive bespoke solutions attached to a traditional PC or Mac system. For example, the cameras, microphone and gyroscope of the iPad can all be used to aid input. Rugged cases, wheelchair mounts and other SEN-based accessories are all available too. When you consider the mobility of an iPad compared to desktop and even laptop computers, the benefits are obvious.
The other main area where the iPad can be a great help for SEN students is the App Store. You’ll be able to find many recommendations via the App Store itself, and here is a small selection of popular SEN apps you may wish to consider:
A comprehensive articulation application which helps children speak and pronounce their sounds more clearly, and is hugely popular with speech and language therapists and SEN teachers. The App allows children to practice at letter, word and sentence level.
Cosmo Training is a creative training and therapy system and consists of interactive and multi-sensory controllers that motivate and engage pupils through play and music. Its games work towards achieving skill based national curriculum goals to help everyday living.
A series of apps for younger learners and special needs student who have difficulties in identifiying facial expressions and recognising emotions.
This is an alternative communication solution for students who suffer from speech difficulties, and aims to give them a voice. It creates a visual vocabulary to create sentences to communicate needs and messaged which are more advanced and can be customized with realistic accents.
Special Words seeks to teach word recognition, spoken language and to improve hand and eye co-ordination and contains words and pictures used during early development. The app can be used by both parents and teachers to enhance expression.
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