Blog #5 Selecting Apps

The process used when selecting APPS 

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When selecting apps the following should be considered:
1) Use a team approach 

              * Collaboration is imperative to ensure that everyone working with the child can    

                 share what they believe the student's needs are, how they can be  

                 accommodated, what apps they think will work, and if those apps are working  

                 once they have been used.

              * Teams can include general education teachers, special education teachers,  

                 parents, the student, administrators, physical therapists, occupational therapists,  

                 speech and language pathologists, and any other person who has a role in the 

                 student's education.

       2) Use the SETT Framework 

              S-Student: Focus on the student's need

                   * What are the student's abilities and interests?

                   * What are the student's needs? 

                   * Decision making should always be student-centered.

                   * What worked for one student may not work for a different student.  

             E-Environment

                   * Where will the app be used?

                        - School, home, community

                   * Is the app or AT mobile or will there be multiple devices among the different 

                     locations?

             T-Task 

                   * What task does the student need to complete?

                         - Read, write, speak, take a test, participate in activities

                   * What steps does the student need assistance in to complete the task?

             T-Tool

                   * What app will meet the criteria determined by the team?

      3) Trial Run

              * Have the student use the app in his or her natural environment

              * Sometimes what appeared good on paper is not a right fit for the student.

     4) Provide necessary support

             * Train student, parent, and all individual working with the student on: 

                     - how to use the app.

                     - what to do if the app is having technical difficulties.  

     5) Continually assess the apps adequacy                  * Is there a new technology/app that can better meet the need?

                 * The students needs, environment, and tasks can change (the app that worked 

           originally may not meet the new need) 

Additional questions to consider:

  a) Does the app meet the needs of the student?

  b) Does the app meet the current objective and standards being taught?

  c) Are there limitations to the app's features?

Reliable resources for selecting APPS

•  The following link is a blog that provides ways to evaluate apps including a downloadable rubric. It also provides links to other useful resources on selecting apps:  

http://www.ipads4teaching.net/critical-eval-of-apps.html

• The link below is a blog made specifically for selecting educational apps. It is organized and lists specific apps and what their purpose is. This blog makes decision making easy.  

http://appsineducation.blogspot.com/

• Richard Byrne provides tutorials, videos, and lists of apps and ways to select appropriate apps in his blog found on the following link: 
  www.freetech4teachers.com 
  
  

Dell, A.G., Newton, D.A., & Petroff, J.G. (2017) Assistive technology in the classroom: Enhancing 
       the school experiences of students with disabilities (3rd Ed). Boston: Pearson. ISBN: 
       9780134170411