Jane wrote a thorough review of this switch interface here so you can find out about all the great features.

But I’d like to highlight how much fun I had learning how to use it for controlling my music on the iPad. With other interfaces I’ve struggled with entering PIN codes for bluetooth so I was impressed that this interface paired with the iPad easily and no PIN codes were required. Phew! Within minutes I was playing my favourite songs and if I went into another app I could also control the music from there too. If you’re using your switch interface for scanning within a communication app you can easily change between using it for music or for communication by using the QuickMedia button. The wide range of programmed switch modes means that it works with all of the current range of switch accessible apps – making it a great choice!

I could see people of all ages and abilities using this interface to control music or access a communication app. Whether you are an elderly person struggling with small music controls on the iPad, a music loving teenager with cerebral palsy who uses switches to access devices, or a young child who is just developing their cause and effect skills – it could be an appropriate option to consider. Or if you are like me – I’m playing with it because I am just a technology lovin’ gal!

The Hills School Northmead, Sydney, NSW has a strong professional interest in determining uses of ICT as a tool to improve student engagement and learning and to support teaching and learning for students with severe and complex difficulties including Autism. At the beginning of 2011 our school purchased 4 iPads. We could see the great potential of the iPad as a tool to support teaching and learning. The iPad motivated students and was adaptive to individual needs.

In August 2011 our school began the development of an exciting ICT vision for ‘liberating communication’. While we could see the potential of the iPad as a tool to support teaching and learning, we wanted to strategically measure the impact of the iPad on student learning outcomes. A two day event, The Action Research Planning Conference, was organised and attended by five staff and a parent representative from The Hills School community and lead by Greg O’Connor from Spectronics. This action learning group was strategically chosen to include key people from across all learning stages of our school. There was a sharing and analysis of current and relevant information and proposals were formulated. IPAD apps were downloaded, tried, tested, catalogued and retained or discarded according to an iPad specific rubric. An action research project was formulated.

With the support of Spectronics, NSWDEC and strategic school planning our original vision has been clarified and our ‘Liberating Communication’ action learning has been formally launched by our school research team. Our school now has twenty two iPads, five iPods, staff iPad focus times in learning stage meetings and a staff iPad sandpit (play) times. We have organised a loan of an iPad for two weeks for each staff member. We are endeavouring to implement this for students’ families. We sent an iPad home over the Christmas holidays with each teacher on staff with an easy and fun project to give staff the opportunity to increase their expertise and skills. Their efforts have been shared during weekly staff meetings and fortnightly teacher forums.

At The Hills School everything iPad is strategic and measured. Greg O’Connor is an ongoing professional partner and critical friend, his participation and involvement in this project is invaluable.

With an ongoing commitment to expanding staff knowledge and skills, The Hills School has introduced the use of iPads in each classroom with a focus on motivation for engagement, supporting successful activity transition and teaching targeted behavioural change. We have commenced a trial with targeted students using the app “Pictello”. After this trial time period the research team will collect data, report and review findings according to their action research criteria and teaching and learning cycle.

How much impact will an iPad have on learning outcomes for students at The Hills School and will The Hills School see the iPad as an effective and engaging teaching tool to support positive student behaviour? The findings of this project will hopefully mirror the research findings on the potential use of iPad in education learning programs.

This blog has been written and posted on behalf of The Hill School, Northmead, NSW, Australia.  For more information contact Peter Gurrier-Jones, Deputy Principal, The Hills School, Mary Street, Northmead Email: peter.gurrier-jones@det.nsw.edu.au

They suggest that the authors create Simple English articles using only the 1 000 most common and basic words in English. It also has a short guide on how to write Simple English pages.

But now for the fun part!

There is a feature on this website which allows you to create a PDF book of articles in just a few simple steps.

1. Search for the topic you want to make your “book” about.
2. Once on that page, select the “Make a Book” menu option on the left menu.
3. Start the book creator and add the page to your book.
4. Add more pages to your book by using links or the search box to search for more pages, it will even suggest pages for you.
5. Then click on “Show Book” and this will take you to where you can “Manage your book” by adding a title, re-order the pages, and then, choose to download in different formats.

Once downloaded, the book not only displays the articles with diagrams and images, but it automatically creates a contents page and list of references!

These PDF books can then be saved onto your computer or emailed, and read using various software programs such as Texthelp Read&Write GOLD or ClaroRead for students who struggle to read.

So Easy!!!

It provides templates in a range of configurations (1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 cell) and you can select from the hundreds of Ablenet symbols or use your own photos. This feature is great when you are out and about and can use the camera on your device to create a situation specific board in minutes with individualised content!  You can record your own speech for each cell AND it can be accessed either directly or using 1 or 2 switch visual or auditory scanning.

In the latest update it also has an edit lock to stop accidental edits, inbuilt data collection features and a range of pre-made boards that are available as in-app purchases.

A video demonstration of this app can be viewed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9o3Nc4Cc2M

For more information about this and many other apps for AAC, you can see our Apple and apps related Blog pages.

Usually costing around $50 in the iTunes store, the great news is that it is FREE for a limited time – just in time to support delegates of the Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference which is coming up in just over two weeks! The app is also being included on a 64GB iPad as part of a suite of AbleNet tools in the closing session prize pool.

Here is a quick video to show you how to ADD news to a button…..

For more information on Proloquo2Go, go to their website here.

If you have any questions about using Proloquo2Go, please email me at: amanda@spectronics.com.au

Have a great day!

Amanda

Anyway, I thought I would remind you about some of the fabulous support resources and materials available for Boardmaker – I use them all the time and find them really valuable!

• Video Library: The video library is a collection of short videos that focus on how to do specific actions in Boardmaker Studio – wondering how to import symbols into the symbol library, or add an image to a button – these videos are a great way of seeing it in action!
• Tutorials: Tutorials are paper based tutorials on Boardmaker Studio that you can work through independently. Great for teaching yourself and others!
• Boardmaker Knowledge Base: the knowledge base is a collection of answers to the questions you might have about your Boardmaker software. Search for a keyword and it will give you a step by step answer of the buttons to press to make it happen.
• Recorded Training: The Mayer-Johnson website have heaps of recorded sessions on numerous topics relevant to the entire Boardmaker Software Family. They cover the how to’s and also take a more in depth look at the application of the software for different purposes.
• Live Online Training: Don’t forget about the FREE online training that the Consultancy Team at Spectronics provide on a number of different software programs. These are run at times that are suitable for an Australian audiences and are live so you can ask questions as you go. It really isn’t as daunting as it sounds – why not sign up for one today and see how easy it is to  attend.

You may already know about some of these but it is definitely worth revisiting these sources regularly as there is always new material being added.

I do find it useful to refer to app lists such as the apps for AAC list (developed by Jane Farrall); and our very own apps for Literacy Support list and apps for Special Education list. However, there are also some other tips and tricks I have picked up along the way when searching for apps, detailed reviews and further support.

1. Use the various search features in iTunes to search for new apps: iTunes have a number of ways to search for apps (and anything else for that matter!). You can search by categories in iTunes, probably the most relevant categories I search are Education and Medical, but Entertainment, Books and Productivity are also worth a look. You can then sort these categories further by release date or popularity which helps refine your search. Alternatively, use the “Spotlight Search” feature in the top right hand corner of iTunes to do an overall search for a key word related to your topic area e.g. behaviour, schedule or social – remember, you may need to enter these terms with US spelling depending on where the app was developed.
2. Look at the Screenshots: The screenshots included in the iTunes descriptions are a window into what the app looks like. While still being limited, it can help you decide whether the simplicity of the interface, the graphics used and the features displayed may suit the cognitive and physical needs of the people you are working with.
3. Look for FREE or LITE versions: Some app developers release FREE or LITE versions of apps. These versions have limited features compared to the full versions but I find it is particularly useful when the app in question is expensive. It gives you a chance to try the app and decide if it is right for the people you are supporting without having to spend any money.
4. Look at what else customers bought: Why not see what “like minded” customers have also bought. They may have the same interests as you and may have found an app that you would not have thought to look at.
5. Find the Developer’s website: The Developer’s website is usually provided as a link directly from the iTunes store and can give you more detailed information about why the app was developed, what the features are and who it is suitable for. If it is not linked directly from the iTunes store sometimes doing a Google search can help.
6. Use video sharing sites: Use video sharing sites like Vimeo or YouTube to search for short video reviews of apps. You can find videos that demonstrate the features of the apps and also sometimes, find reviews of the apps by people who have used them in the classroom. It is a great way of feeling supported in making the right decision for your students.
7. Using Social Media: You can also learn about apps, share your discoveries and ask questions using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Doing a search for groups and lists will help you to find information relevant to your area of interest. It is a great way to find out when apps are on sale or free for a limited time too.

So TOCA BOCA ticks lots of boxes for me!

These very clever and very creative apps are very much about interaction; about sitting down with your child and playing together.  When you do that, there are so many opportunities for language stimulation and learning. There is so much language you can model during imaginative play!

So try this App – TOCA TEA PARTY…create your very own tea party!  You can watch my daughter and I using it and having fun!

Or what about this one? TOCA STORE … a chance for two people to play shops. Watch my daughter Olivia and I playing it!

Here’s some tips when using TOCA BOCA apps:

1. Use sign language during play
2. Give directions during play, eg. “Give me the purple plate please”
3. Cue request sentences like “I want more chocolate cake please”; “Can I buy a lollipop please?”
4. Embrace opportunities to practice sharing and taking turns between siblings and friends
5. Remember to use it as a chance to play on the ipad together
6.  Transfer skills learnt on the ipad to real play situations with real objects/toys
7.  Laugh and have fun!

Now if you like Toca Tea Party and Toca Store… I am sure you will love some of their other amazing apps- Toca Hair Salon , Toca Kitchen (Masterchef – look out!), Toca Kitchen Monsters (FREE), Toca Doctor, Birthday Party Playtime  and Toca House.  None of the Toca apps have in-app purchasing or popup advertising banners, so they are extra safe and easy for kids to use. So if you are like me, you will end up having to have them all!
Enjoy.

Amanda

As you may know, Key Word Sign (formerly Makaton) is the form of signing that we use when working with children and adults with communication difficulties. It has shown to be effective with people with autism, physical disabilities, intellectual disability and developmental delay. When we use key word sign and gesture for communication we borrow the signs from the native language of the Deaf community (which is Auslan in Australia) but we use the principles of Key Word Sign which are:

• Always use speech together with the sign
• Speak in normal, grammatical sentences
• Sign only the key words in the sentence
• Use facial expression and body language
• Use directionality and placement
• Teach signs that are relevant

While the following apps are specifically referred to as Auslan resources – this is OK because we know that for Key Word Signing we borrow the signs from Auslan. So you can use these apps to see how to produce the correct sign and then apply the principles of Key Word Sign.

RIDBC Auslan Tutor: has been designed to assist families of young deaf children learn Auslan. More than 500 signs are included, with each sign having five entries including a photo of the handshape, a video clip of the sign in isolation, in a phrase, in a sentence and a note about the Auslan grammar.

RIDBC Auslan Tutor: Key Signs – a FREE version of the app described above with 150 key signs was released in 2010 to mark the 150 anniversary of the Royal Insitute for Deaf and Blind Children. It includes a photo of the handshape of each sign and a video clip demonstrating how each sign is produced. It is a fabulous resource to use as a reference for some of the key signs you will need every day.

RIDBC have also released the Old Macdonald app which is a favourite of mine and the first in a five part series of “Songs for Listening and Language” which, according to the iTunes store, are coming soon.

Baby Sign and Learn: This app is designed to teach your baby signs and so the vocabulary is suited to young children but includes some of the interactive signs. There is a free version that gives you only a few signs to sample and then you can purchase a version with around 100 signs in your country’s native sign language. It has an animated character that produces the sign and a flashcard section and quiz.

Auslan Let’s Sign: There are three apps available in the Auslan Let’s Sign series (Family & People; Feelings, Health & Manners; Fingerspelling). They are really a book with pictures of signs belonging to the category and some instruction on using them with people with special needs.

References:

Key Word Sign Australia

In the beginning, there was no switch access to the iPad/iPhone/iPod touch.  Over time, however, a small range of apps have been released which offer internal switch access – but unfortunately different apps were released along with different switch interfaces and a confusing picture of switch access to the iPad began to appear. (For more information on this topic read “How do I use a switch with an iPad“)

Luckily for us, the APPlicator from Pretorian changes all that!

The APPlicator (also sold as the Switch4Apps) is a very easy to setup interface.  I simply pulled it out of the box, charged it (rechargable via USB cable) and then turned it on by pressing any of the buttons on the front. My iPad saw it almost immediately and I simply had to select it to connect – no need to enter a string of numbers to make the connection work.  Once I was connected, I just needed to plug up to four switches into the switch ports on the interface and I was ready to go. (And as a security measure, once the APPlicator is connected to one iPad, it isn’t available to any others until it has been reset).

One of the very exciting features of the APPlicator is that it can be configured to send up to 22 different commands/keystrokes to your iPad.  However – I think one of the best features is that the default settings provide access to the four most commonly used keystrokes within switch accessible iPad apps. Switch port 1 is setup to send “space” – which allows me to access any app programmed for the Blue2. Switch port 2 is setup to send “enter” which is also used as the switch 2 keystroke for Blue2 compatible apps. Switch port 3 is setup to send ~1 – which then allows me to access any app programmed for the RJ Cooper/Therapy Box switch interfaces. And switch port 4 sends ~3 which is the switch 2 keystroke for the same group of apps.  To control different apps, the easiest option therefore is just to move the switch or switches into different ports rather than changing the functions the ports are set to.

However, if I want more control of what the switch ports do, I can select any of the four switch ports and change which keystroke it sends – options include up and down arrows, left and right arrows and music controls. While these aren’t needed for any of the current switch accessible apps, this may give you access to some eBook readers or music apps and certainly gives you a wider range of options for compatibility with future apps.

On top of this high level of switch app compatibility, the APPlicator also offers some great control over the music on your iPad/iPhone/iPod touch. The four switch interfaces can be set to control music functions such as play/pause, next track, previous track, volume up, volume down and mute. The interface can be setup with the most important function set for each switch port – or for a user with a single switch port 1 could just be set to play and pause music so the user can work their way through a playlist.

Another option for playing music is the timed play mode. Switch ports can be setup to play a song for either 10 seconds or 30 seconds – enabling an iPad to be used for practicing switch presses in the same way we used to do it with a PowerLink and a cassette deck.

In addition, there is a clever QuickMedia mode which allows you to quickly move between controlling apps and controlling music.  Most switch users will not be able to do this independently – but by pressing the QuickMedia button on the front of the interface, the switch ports automatically move into music control mode. Switch port 1 allows you to play/pause music, switch port 2 moves to the next track, switch port 3 moves to the previous track and switch port 4 offers 10 second timed music play. Once the user has launched some music, another press of the QuickMedia button returns the interface to the normal app control functions.  This clever feature gives support staff the option of changing a user quickly between music mode and switch app scanning mode without changing any of the switch port functions.

Overall I am very impressed with the APPlicator.  If you are making the decision of “which switch interface do I get” this is the current obvious choice as it is the only interface compatible with all the existing switch accessible apps – and on top of that offers control over the iPad/iPhone/iPod touch music functions which none of the pre-existing switch interfaces offer.  Even with the upcoming more comprehensive switch interface options, such as the Tecla Shield, I think this interface is worth considering for many developing switch and scanning users due to the ease of setup and use and the wide range of compatibility and functions on offer.

PS -  Testing this interface prompted a fairly large update to our Switch Accessible Apps list. This now has an extra column showing the keystrokes each different app require, so that those using the APPlicator can set their switch ports to the right option.  The list is available from http://www.janefarrall.com/html/resources/Switch%20Accessible%20Apps%20for%20iPad.pdf.