2012 was a year that was spectacularly cool!  Using the iPad, apps and other tech tools in my professional practice, not only to benefit the students with whom I work but also for my own professional development and growth led to many wonderful opportunities.  

I love talking about anything tech-related . . . but I especially love sharing what I know about the iPad, apps and how they can be integrated and used in the context of speech-language therapy and teaching.  Over the course of 2012, I had the opportunity to talk with and present to colleagues across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  I look forward to new opportunities this year and am particularly excited about a couple of upcoming sessions with some fabulous individuals!

One of the highlights of 2012 was definitely my involvement in the Apple video “Making a Difference: One app at a Time”  that debuted at the Worldwide Developer Conference in June (click here to see what I’m talking about).  It was very exciting to be part of that project and to have the opportunity to profile this most wonderful profession on an international stage.    

So here’s to a new year and new ideas . . . 

Happy New Year!

Renena

App Name/Publisher: Custom Boards – Premium by Smarty Ears

Description:

This app allows the S-LP to create activities and communication boards on-the-go. The app includes over 100 templates and 11,000 Smarty Symbols available to create games/activities, communication boards and templates/overlays for other dedicated communication devices and visual supports. You can print (directly from the app using AirPrint), save and/or email everything you create using this app.

Templates are grouped in 6 different categories:

1. Activities and Games

2. Grids and Boards

3. Schedules and Calendars

4. Worksheets

5. Devices and Switches

6. Signs and Labels

There are also options to use photos from the iPad library or Goggle images. This is very useful for creating individualized activities, visual supports and communication boards.

There is a free (with in-app purchases) and premium version of this app.

Therapy Use:

•  Create visuals supports such as schedules, first then contingency boards, scripts.
•  Create activities to support academic and individualized goals and programming.
•  Create activities to support goals across many speech-language domains such as articulation, expressive and receptive language and fluency.
•  Create communication boards that are individualized for the children/students and/or adults with whom you work.
•  Create overlays for 33 different communication devices and switches (such as the Go Talk 9+, Big Mac and Tech Talk).
•  Create homework activities with your children/students and/or adult clients as an end of therapy activity. For the children on your caseload, you can email it to parents/caregivers.

Here are some examples of visuals, communication boards and activities created using Custom Boards – Premium:

Categorization/Vocabulary Sort

Articulation /sh/ Board Game

First Then Visual

Snack Choice Board (using Google images feature)

To get an idea of how this app works, have a look at this Smarty Ears video.

You can access a Custom Boards Sharing Station created by the app developer Barbara Fernandez here. There you will find some already made activities and boards.

App Benefits/Likes:

The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination with this app. It’s versatile and flexible. The degree of individualization that can be achieved with this app is a definite bonus.

The app is incredibly easy to use and you can create activities in minutes (a major plus for time strapped S-LPs).

App Summary

Skill(s) Targeted

• AAC
• Articulation & Phonology
• Fluency
• Expressive & Receptive Language
• Literacy
• S-LP Tools/Organization

Age/Grade Levels Targeted

•  Preschool
• Kindergarten
• Early Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)
• Upper Elementary (Grades 3- 6)
• Middle School/Junior High (Grades 7-9)
• High School (Grades 10-12)
• Adult

Type of Device: iPad only

Cost: $39.99

Would you recommend this app?:  Yes

Hyperlink:  Custom Boards – Premium

Review Date: September 20, 2012

Reviewed by:  Renena Joy, M.Sc., S-LP(C)

So here it goes . . .

1.  SPEECH TECHIE:  One of my favorite sites and go-to resources when it comes to learning practical skills and gaining information about the iPad and useful apps for speech-language practice is without a doubt Speech Techie.  My colleague and fellow TherapyApp411 editor, S-LP Sean Sweeney is the guy responsible for this extremely helpful page.  Sean is a wealth of knowledge and his blog is jam-packed with lots of information about technology and how it can be used to support students who require speech-language intervention.  It’s a must, must, must for new and seasoned tech users!  Thanks, Sean for all your work and willingness to share your fantastic ideas!

2.  PINTEREST:  In addition to having lots of great information for S-LPs about therapy activities, handy handouts and lots of other helpful information PINTEREST is also a place where I find information related to the all things techy!  Speech-Language Pathologist, AAC and Assistive Technology Consultant, Lauren S. Enders has a fabulous resource for S-LP iPad enthusiasts.  She has created 67 boards on Pinterest all related to iDevices, accessories and apps for the various domains of speech-language practice.  Thanks Lauren for creating such a valuable and useful pinterest site!  It is an excellent resource.  You can check it out by clicking here.

3.  SPECTRONICS:  The Spectronics Blog has a whole list of resources of “Useful Apple and Apps-Related Resource”.  Collections of blog posts categorized under the following headings: iPad Basics, Teaching & Learning, Tips & Tricks, Accessibility & Access, and Sources for Quality App Reviews amongst others can be found.  Very helpful for those starting out and even more seasoned iPad users.

Some of my favorite posts on this blog include:

• Apps for Special Education
• Using iPads and other Devices for Executive Functioning
• Using iPads with Students with ASD
• Using iPads with Students with Intellectual Disabilities
• Apps for Literacy – for young adults with Intellectual Impairments
• iPhone/iPad Apps for AAC (by S-LP, Jane Farrall)

4.  TiPS Scoop.it:  Scoop.it is a content curation tool; a place to gather information about topics of interest to its user.  Scoop.it is another resource that I use frequently to find out information about the iPad, apps and tech integration to support programming for students.  I comb the web and other Scoop.its I follow for articles that are relevant the iPad and apps and curate/post them to my own TiPS Scoop.it site.  To see the articles and information that I feel have useful and worthwhile information, click here.

5.  TherapyApp411:  This is a blog site that was started by 4 S-LPs (a collaborative effort of #SLPeeps:  @SpeechGadgetDeb (www.speechgadget.com), @SpeechTechie (www.speechtechie.com), @azspeechguy (www.azspeechguy.wordpress.com) and myself @SLPrj (www.technologyinpracticeslp.wordpress.com) and it’s mission is to provide reviews and other content regarding apps and devices from a therapists’ perspective.  Submissions from other bloggers and reviewers, even those from other disciplines (OT, PT) are also included.  Another great resource and a must-read for those wanting to find out more information about app integration in S-LP therapy!

Hopefully this will provide some helpful information and good resources to save your time and energy when looking for information on techy topics.

That’s all from me for now . . .

Happy Back to School!

Renena

My Playhome by Shimon Young

This app is fantastic for working on a variety of language concepts: pronouns, prepositions, verbs.  The vocabulary opportunities are endless.  If you are fortunate enough to have access to two iPads, you can use the app as a barrier activity and work on different language targets through giving and following directions.  The app also provides opportunities to work on articulation targets and carryover.

Essentially the app is an interactive dollhouse that can be explored.  It features 6 different rooms/places: kitchen, bathroom, living room, child’s bedroom, master bedroom and backyard.  Within each of these places, there are a number of objects that one can manipulate and interact with.  Great for working on functional language targets that can be generalized to real life contexts.  We were very pleased with a recent update of the app that allowed it to feature individuals that reflect cultural diversity.

The Monster at the End of this Book by Sesame Workshop Apps

Who doesn’t love a great book?!  As S-LPs we are big fans of books!  This book app is highly engaging, entertaining and interactive!  Our students love it!

Grover narrates the story and pleads with readers/listeners to not turn the page.   He talks about how he doesn’t want to get to the end of the book because he is afraid of the monster that is supposedly at the end.  Students and even us adults just can’t resist from turning the page!

This app provides many opportunities for language and literacy development.  Here are just a few examples of things you can use this app to target in speech language therapy.  Talk and have discussions around text and it’s various configurations to convey meaning and emotion.  Early inferencing and predicting skills can be targeted (e.g., “What do you think is going to happen next?”; “What do you think will happen when you turn the page?”).  It can also be used in lessons around feelings and emotions.  There is also a great section for parents with quick tips of suggestions and ideas about how they can use and extend the app at home.  Many of these suggestions are also useful for facilitating and developing language skills.

See.Touch.Learn. by Brain Parade

Picture cards offered in a virtual, interactive medium.  This app offers the best of both worlds – first, there is the option to use ready to go, built-in lessons and there is also the option to customize your very own lessons and activities to meet the individual needs of children/students.  Use real high quality pictures from the built-in libraries (free version has limited pictures – individual vocabulary packs can be purchased for $0.99-$1.99) OR take your own pictures using the 2nd and 3rd generation iPads (this capability is only available in premium version). Student performance can be tracked within the app as well.

We love how this app lends itself so easily to custom lessons for the development of receptive and expressive vocabulary.  A few ideas: use the app to work on word associations, concepts,  sight words, teach students functional vocabulary using pictures of the items in their own environment;  target articulation skills.  For more ideas of how the app can be used with students, check out Stephanie O’Brien’s video tips on the Brain Parade website.

Toontastic by Launchpad Toys

This app is a definite favourite of ours!!  Create and narrate stories by following the app’s built in story arc (which follows the sequence of setup, conflict, challenge, climax and resolution).  There are a variety of scenes and characters to choose from or students can create and draw their very own.  This app is a great way to work on oral language, vocabulary development, narrative development.  It also provides opportunities for to work on articulation carryover and fluency skills/targets.

One of the best things about this app is that it is FREE!  Additional scenes and characters can be purchased for an additional cost; but there is more than enough to have your students playing for hours with what is offered in the free version!  And that is something that makes us S-LPs on a tight budget really happy!

Cookie Doodle by Shoe the Goose

Another S-LP must-have for building expressive and receptive language skills.  Make virtual cookies with your students.  In this app, students select a recipe, add the ingredients, bake and decorate the cookies they make, and at the end they get the opportunity to eat it.  Students can make choices about cookie cutters, types of cookie dough and various cookie toppings (e.g., colored sprinkles, candy etc.).  This app is a great context for working on descriptive, spatial and sequencing language concepts.  It also lends itself nicely to barrier game/type of activity.  Another app with functional language targets that can be incorporated into real life activities.  A definite and yummy favorite for sure!

Until next time . . .

Renena & Kerry

So . . . finally . . .the first of two posts with our HiP App Picks!!  In preparation for the Speech and Hearing Expo that we previously blogged about, we had both decided that it would be fun to highlight some of our favourite apps that are used often in our practice.  We also want to showcase the diversity of apps that are available and the many different areas of S-LP practice that can be tapped into using the iPad and apps as tools.

So here it is . . . Our HiP Picks from TiPS .  It was really difficult to narrow down our list, but here are a few of the apps we choose to highlight (in no particular order):

Toca Tea Party  by Toca Boca

This is a great app to stimulate conversation, turn taking and facilitate requesting and other language functions.  Convert your iPad into a virtual tea party.  Set the table, pour tea and lemonade, eat cookies and cake, clean up spills, listen to the radio and when you’re finished, it’s time for dishes. You can find a review of this app and information about how it can be used in speech language therapy here or at TherapyApp411.com.

Toca Boca knows how to make great apps.  Their apps are engaging and thoughtful and offers opportunities to work on functional language/play in an interactive way.  Be sure to check our their site as there are many other great apps that can be used by the S-LP.

Conversation Builder by Mobile Education Store.

This is an app that works on initiation and building reciprocity and topic maintenance in conversation.  A review of this app can be found on TherapyApp411.com  This app fills a void in the S-LP toolbox.  To get an idea of what this app does, you can access a video of the app tutorial here.

Mobile Education Store makes a number of other great apps for S-LP Therapy.  Apps have been carefully designed and provide graduated scaffolding.  A recent favourite is Rainbow Sentences.

S-LP Goal Bank by Smarty Ears.

A great tool for the beginning S-LP clinician and also for those that are more seasoned.   The app provides 23 speech and language domains/goal areas (e.g., AAC; Aphasia – Functional; Aritculation-Phonology; CAS; Fluency; Dysphagia; Language Syntax etc.) and sample goals in each category.  Select goals that are specific to your client.  Clinicians can customize, edit and add goals to each area.  Once goals are selected and individualized, they can be shared via email.

Smarty Ears is a leader in the development of apps for S-LPs.  Click on the previous link to see more apps from the Smarty Ears family of apps.

 Articulation Station by Little Bee Speech.

A beautifully and thoughtfully designed app for articulation therapy.  This app offers versatility and targets speech sounds at the word, sentence and paragraph levels.  Track data during the therapy session and save it to the client’s profile.  There is also the option to record and listen to the client’s/student’s production.  This app is very engaging and offers a nice balance between traditional flashcards and simple games.

Click here to see a video tutorial of the app.

Making Sequences by Zorten Software

By far, our favourite sequencing app.  It can be used to teach task sequencing related to functional life skills and it’s also a great app for story sequencing.  You can use the built in 3, 4 and 5 picture sequences.  However, one of the greatest features of this app is the ability to individualize/personalize the sequences by creating your own using your own pictures.

Check out this video sample of Making Sequences.

We hope you enjoyed this post.  Stayed tuned for Part 2 of our Hip Picks!

Renena & Kerry

In early November, we had the great pleasure of being a part of the first ever Speech and Hearing Expo in Nova Scotia that was organized by SHANS, our provincial association!!! TiPS had an information booth (pictured right).  VERY EXCITING!!!  We also provided a short information session about the iPad and various apps that we have been using during our therapy sessions with students.  We had lots of interest and discussion at our booth throughout the day and although our presentation was late in the afternoon it was still VERY popular with standing room only!  We had many participants with great questions!  We want to send a heartfelt thank you to the developers who were so generous and shared apps that we used as giveaways during our session.  “Thank you!” and much appreciation to developers: Mobile Education Store, Smarty Ears and Toca Boca!!

In preparing for the EXPO we thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of our favourite apps . . . and that was how HiP picks from TiPS (upcoming blog post) was born.  We also thought it would be important to make the distinction between using the iPad as a learning tool with our students and using it as a communication device.  Throughout the day we shared programs and functions of the iPad and participated in interesting discussions with members of the community and colleagues.  We were glad that we highlighted this difference (i.e., learning/teaching tool<->communication device) since many of our conversations centred around the need for assessment, goal development, intervention planning and generalization/carryover with the iPad and other tools that we might be using from our SLP toolkit.  During the fun app demos we had lots of great chatter about therapeutic practice using this highly motivating tool.  It was exciting to connect with parents, teachers/support staff, SLP colleagues working in different settings, SLP students, professors and other professionals that work with children and adults that experience communication challenges. A very special thank you to S-LP Sarah Offman who joined to help us out at our busy booth.  What a great day (and despite drinking lots of water throughout the day we experienced vocal fatigue from the lack of vocal rest)!

Many seniors passed by our booth and were fascinated by this little device that we were playing with and talking about.  They were interested in its use as an organizational tool, e-book, and communication tool.  A retired SLP colleague who had heard about the Expo made a special trip just to see the iPad and find out about how we were using it with our students.  She recalled how technology had improved her workload as a young SLP – with the introduction of the photocopier . . . with that innovative device she was able to copy pictures for her students to practice at home no longer needing to take the time to draw them!!! Oh my!  How far we have come!  She was amazed to see how speech worksheets can now be stored in the CLOUD; picture scenes and word lists can be sent directly to teachers and parents during the session and our therapy scores emailed to our inbox.  BUT then she saw how we can have a tea party and do the dishes without carrying extra bags full of toys (Toca Tea Party!)  . . . WOW. . . she and so many others were amazed!

It was a incredible day of networking and sharing information and ideas!!

Stay Tuned for HiP Picks from TiPS!!  Coming VERY soon (along with newly updated and categorized app lists)!!

Renena & Kerry

This app review also appears on TherapyApp411.com

 App Name/Publisher: PrepositionBuilder by Mobile Education Store           

• in, on, under  
• down, up, off  
• above, below, at, by  
• behind, between, beside  
• out of, next to, away from 
• toward, around, through 
• to, from, at 
• across, past, over 
• with, about, for

• Engaging and motivating
• Colorful and appealing graphics
• Visuals (i.e., pictures) for incorrect responses are provided/shown
• Unlocking of individual scenes upon the completion of each preposition set provides an excellent source of reinforcement for students

App Name/Publisher: Toca Tea Party/Toca Boca

Description:
Every student I’ve used this app with loves it!  This app turns your iPad into a virtual and interactive tea party.  Invite your friends, both real and stuffed to participate in this fun activity.  Students begin engaging with the app by setting the table:  choosing a tablecloth, plates and cups.  Once the table is set, students may choose his/her favourite sweets and serve tea and lemonade by pouring it into a cup.  Music plays quietly in the background and the radio station can be changed.  Light candles to set a relaxing mood.  Eat cookies and drink with the touch of a finger.  Spills may also happen if you’re not careful.  But not to worry, you can also clean up your mess using a tissue (this is also available on your iPad table setting).  When you’re finished, it’s time to wash the dishes.  This video will give you an idea of how this app works:

Therapy Use:
Toca Tea Party is an app that provides many opportunities to target articulation, fluency, language and pragmatics.
Articulation:  You can choose to work on individual targets or use this app for sound generalization/carryover.  Choose words that correspond with target sounds you might be working on (e.g., for /k/, “cookie”, “cake”, “cup”, “candle”, “coffee”, “carrot cake”)
Fluency:  Work on individual fluency targets (e.g., easy onset, light contacts, phrasing, rate) or facilitate carryover/generalization.
Expressive & Receptive Language:  Use the app to work on simple requests (e.g., “I want a cookie.”, “I want lemonade.”, “I want pie.”), questions (e.g., “What would you like to eat/drink?”, ” Who wants pie?”,  “Would you like more?”,  “Are you finished?”, “Do you want lemonade?”, “Could I have more drink?” ).  In addition, target language skills such as giving and following directions (e.g., “Put the cake on the green plate”, “Put the star cookie on the plate next to the tea cup.”), spatial concepts (e.g., on, beside, next to, top, bottom, right, left).
Pragmatics: Use it to work on skills such as turn-taking, eye contact and establishing joint attention.
You could extend this activity to table-top using a tea party play set.

Toca Boca has a lot of great apps that can be incorporated very nicely in S-LP practice.  Click to see a review of Toca Boca’s Helicopter Taxi by S-LP Sean Sweeney.

App Benefits/Likes:
Fun, interactive and engaging.
Provides many opportunities to work on speech-language targets across a variety of treatment domains (e.g., language, fluency, articulation, pragmatics), as listed above.

App Summary

Skill(s) Targeted
Articulation & Phonology (clinician chooses appropriate target words)
Fluency
Expressive & Receptive Language
Social Skills/Pragmatics

Age/Grade Levels Targeted
Toddler
Preschool
Kindergarten
Early Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

How to Activate
Isolated finger point
Hold and drag

Type of Device
iPad only

Cost
$2.99 (at time of review)

Would you recommend this app?
Yes

Hyperlink
Toca Tea Party

Reviewed by
Renena Joy, M.Sc., S-LP(C)

Review Date
September 2, 2011

The summer has provided a time for relaxation, reflection and focus.  It’s been great to have the time to spend with family and friends and take much deserved “time off” from our professional lives.

When thinking about the start of the new year, we’ve been focused on what new accomplishments we would like to achieve and how we might see this blog unfolding.  TiPS continues to be a work in progress.  We started this as way for us to share all the great information about one of our professional interests – the iPad and apps and also other technology that is fun and engaging for both ourselves and our students!

It’s incredible the amount of information that is being shared online via social media tools like twitter and Facebook, along with blogs, podcasts and the list goes on.  Information moves extremely quickly and is available practically instantaneously.  It is easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of information that’s so readily available.  Information is being disseminated in exponential rates and we’ve quickly come to learn that it’s practically impossible to stay on top of it all.  Technology is a wonderful tool and it can really enhance our practice and significantly contribute to our own professional learning.

So we’ll leave you with these questions: Have you thought about . . .  your goals for the upcoming school year?  . . . the types of professional learning topics you are going to explore?  . . . how you might incorporate technology to support your professional learning? . . . using technology in your practice to support student’s communication goals?

In an attempt to start to prepare for the return back to school, we’ve been playing on-line catch-up.  It’s lead to the creation of a TiPS Scoop.it!  Scoop.it is a new way to share interesting information, articles, blogs, videos etc.  Thank you to Jeremy Brown (@techieteacher) for sharing his Scoop.it Technology in Special Education and iTeach Special Ed and inspiring the creation of one for TiPS.  You can check out the TiPS Scoop here.

For now . . . we’ll enjoy the last weeks of summer . . . ahhhhhhhh

We’ll be back soon with updated app lists for the S-LP, fresh new blog posts and helpful app reviews!

Renena & Kerry

Using apps in your S-LP practice and therapy?  Interested in app reviews?  Check out TherapyApp411.com.  This resource is an excellent addition to your must-read blog list!

Started by an idea on Twitter, this site is a collaborative effort of four #SLPeeps:  @SpeechGadgetDeb (www.speechgadget.com), @SpeechTechie (www.speechtechie.com), @azspeechguy (www.azspeechguy.wordpress.com) and myself @SLPrj (www.technologyinpracticeslp.wordpress.com)!  App reviews will be posted regularly by each of us and cross-posted on our own blog sites.

Currently there are 20 app reviews posted.  The site is growing weekly with more and more reviews being submitted.  The mission of the site is to provide reviews and other content regarding apps and devices from a therapists’ perspective. Contributions from S-LPs, OTs, PTs or other disciplines are welcome!!  We are looking for contributions that reflect your personal experience with apps and place them in the context of therapy sessions.  For more details about how to submit a review, click here.  Instructions about how to submit a review and an app review template are provided.

Definitely worth a stop by.  Visit us at TherapyApp411.com.  You can also ”Like” us on Facebook!