Bear in Underwear

Bear in Underwear by CJ Educations

Here is another storybook app by CJ Educations.  Cute and simple graphics make this ideal for students with disabilities.  Different settings for automatic reading or at your own pace.  I appreciate that the animation is simplistic yet intriguing.  That's about all I can say that is positive about this app.  Beyond the fact that "Bear in Underwear" rhymes nicely, it is a creepy story.  Basically "Bear" and his forest friends are playing together.  "Bear" comes across an abandoned backpack.  Instead of contacting TSA, they decide to open it.  Inside they find a bag full of... um.... underwear.  Most people at this point would cut their losses and toss the backpack in the closest trashcan.  Not "Bear".  He decides to try each and every pair of underwear on in that bag.  His friends then comment on how he looks in each pair.  "Too small", "Too dorky", and my favorite, "Too girly".  There's even a pair of dirty ones.  I'm not sure who thought this story line would be appropriate, but it gives me the heebie jeebies and even my children (who are prone to liking odd things), thought this app was "bizarre".  The game offered in the app is equally pointless.  All that being said, I do not recommend this app for ANYONE.  I'd be interested in knowing who likes this app and see if they have a criminal history.  I'd be willing to make some bets.

D is for Doodle

by CJ Educations 

This app was so much fun to play with!  There are two modes you can play in- one for "doodling" and one for coloring.  You basically begin with the target letter of the alphabet and are prompted to trace additional shapes that evolve into a picture of something that begins with that letter.  Then the picture becomes animated.  Verbal and visual instruction are provided and the activations do not have to be accurate. This would be ideal for a user with limited fine motor control and would provide not only opportunities to trace and practice letters, but also to create a simple line drawing that comes to life. A lot of my students don't enjoy writing and coloring because it can be so difficult for them and it often appears to be so arbitrary to them.  This app can facilitate the creation of a fun drawing that would not otherwise come to be.  Other areas addressed are vocabulary, following directions and adjectives.

     

Word Wizard

Word Wizard (by L'Escapadou), is a fun app I recently acquired. Remember those Speak-and-Spell toys?  Well, this is an updated version of that!  You can play around with the alphabet and make your own words, or you can take spelling tests.  There is a built in word list with all kinds of choices from the Dolch word list, consonant-vowel-consonant words and the 1000 most frequently used words.  You can also make your own lists.  There are plenty of options for settings such as voice features, accessibility features, and specifics for how the program interacts with the user.  I would highly recommend this app for young children and for those with special needs.  I don't recommend this app for hearing impaired (unless they are able to hear and interpret the audio instructions), because they will not be able to hear the voice feature (which is a huge component of this app). 

But wait... there's more!

OK.  Thanks to my friend Juli living in Wisconsin who warned me about becoming a "blogger".  "Forget about laundry, dinner, and cleaning the house", she says.  Maybe she doesn't know me that well because I never really took to those tasks anyway (just ask my husband Brett!).  There is definitely truth to her advice that once you start, it's impossible to stop..  In the world of AT and SLP, there is no end.  You never stop learning.  You never learn all there is to know.  And now, thanks to technology, the ideas and resources are infinite.  Does it sound like I am complaining?  Well, I'm not!  But it can be so overwhelming to anyone who has ever wondered, "what is the best way to help (your student/client), interact/learn/communicate with the world"?  So instead of freaking out and running to your nearest administrator to ask for an artic-only caseload, consider just starting with a few things at once.  Don't be afraid to make mistakes.  Don't become discouraged.  Don't give up on improving and increasing your practice of helping others.  I'm humbled everyday by my clients, students, parents, teachers, therapists and other professionals who continue to strive to do better.  I'm humbled by YOU.  Really. 

I have no idea how long I will sustain this blog.  But in the meantime, I hope you will humor yourself and read along.  Please comment often, so that I don't feel like I'm just talking to myself.  I'm more interested in a dialogue, even if it has nothing to do with AT or SLP.  Happy hour, anyone?

So that's how I found myself here.  Another challenge, another adventure.  I hope you will join me (and John), and together we will live as one! Imagine the possibilities. (sorry... see where this is getting me?)


Peace be with you always,
Val.

Alright.  Here we go.  Anytime now...

I've recently decided to create and write in a blog.  Who would read this?  I have no idea.  However, I am currently reviewing apps for iPads that are used in education.  Within the last couple of years, I have been learning a lot about the power of technology and its impacts on communication.  iPads are a new phenomenon (do do, do-do-do... manamana), that have taken over our world of assistive technology as we know it.  I've seen a lot of great things become available and accessible to those with disabilities, but not without its limitations.  I'm not about to go into that now, but would be happy to discuss this further should anyone be interested.  Instead, I'm going to get underway with the apps that I have been tasked with providing my informed and oh-so-professional, opinion.  These are the two I shall start with... Be sure to check back for the thrilling report!

CJ Educations   

10 Little Fish

Alphabeasties