UDL & Specific Learning Needs
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles guide the development of flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences. Using multi-media apps eg Book Creator and Seesaw that allow for multiple ways to communicate can be very beneficial as can be use of multi-media when students are accessing information.
Many of the other apps mentioned on this site will be great for students with specific learning needs or ESOL/ELL. Here are a few that are especially good. Most will also have uses for other students as well. See if you can try a free version or find someone else with the app before buying so you know it will suit the needs of your learners.
Many of the other apps mentioned on this site will be great for students with specific learning needs or ESOL/ELL. Here are a few that are especially good. Most will also have uses for other students as well. See if you can try a free version or find someone else with the app before buying so you know it will suit the needs of your learners.
Speech Selection - Not an app but a setting - Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content >Speech Selection. This will read aloud any highlighted text. Voice and speed can be selected. Speak Screen in the same place will read the whole screen to you if you swipe down with 2 fingers.
There are many other features in Accessibility that could be helpful such as Voice Over that speaks the items on screen and Pairing with Hearing Devices.
There are many other features in Accessibility that could be helpful such as Voice Over that speaks the items on screen and Pairing with Hearing Devices.
Apps
For more severe learning needs - very expensive, see if you can trial before buying.
Proloquo2Go - a symbols-based communication system. Expensive at around $250. This app is often recommended for students with severe communication difficulties.
Clicker Writer- $349.99 - Students click to select words to add to sentences. Free to download but has limited functionality, needs in-app purchases. Clicker Writer is designed for pupils aged 5-11 of all abilities. It incorporates all the extensive support features from the award-winning apps Clicker Sentences, Clicker Connect and Clicker Docs (and more).
- Sentence Builder $13.99 Customisable sentence building app.
- Alligator Apps Word flash card games and other apps for juniors or E.S.O.L ./ E.L.L. that you can customise in the settings, add your own photos, remove cards, record your own words.
- Ready to Reads There are many titles, including some that have sign language such as I Want to Fly and T-Shirts. Search in the App store for Ready to Reads or visit the Ministry app page.
- The Whiteboard Apps are all very useful as students have a choice of Typing, Drawing and/or recording their voice.
- Many other apps have multiple ways to access, look for ones e.g. Book Creator and Seesaw that allow students to video themselves or record their voice and ones that will read the instructions aloud.
For more severe learning needs - very expensive, see if you can trial before buying.
Proloquo2Go - a symbols-based communication system. Expensive at around $250. This app is often recommended for students with severe communication difficulties.
Clicker Writer- $349.99 - Students click to select words to add to sentences. Free to download but has limited functionality, needs in-app purchases. Clicker Writer is designed for pupils aged 5-11 of all abilities. It incorporates all the extensive support features from the award-winning apps Clicker Sentences, Clicker Connect and Clicker Docs (and more).
2021