Introductionto the iPad

in Special Education

Greg O’ConnorEducation Services Manager, Spectronics

iPad

•425,000 Apps available•100,000 iPad Apps•30% are free•15 Billion Downloads•200 million iOS users in 90 countries

“Every new literacy changes the way we think about the world. The alphabet did this to oral cultures. Cheap books did it after Gutenberg. Mobile, interactive multimedia technologies are doing it in our time. As educators are we up to the challenge?”

Pat Clifford, Galileo Educational Network

Introduction to the iPad

• The iPad• Accessibility• The Classroom

iPad Resources

www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/apple

The iPad

Accessibility

• Settings• Pointers, keyboards & keygurads • App embedded assistive technology• Switch access• Assessment

Switch Access

Switch Box by Therapy Box

Blue2 Bluetooth SwitchBy AbleNet

Student

Environment

Tasks

Tools

www.joyzabala.com

The Classroom

Management

Bretford PowerSync Cart for iPadBy Apple

Accessories

Accessories

Teaching and Learning

Assistive Technology

• Communication / AAC• Visual Supports

Technology acts as direct tool substitute, with no functional improvement

Substitution

Technology acts as direct tool substitute, with functional improvement

Augmentation

Technology allows for significant task redesignModification

Technology allows for the creation of new tasks, previously inconceivableRedefinition

Critical Decisions

• Setting Options• Content management & editing tools• Data Tracking• Sources for quality app reviews

Curriculum

• Reading• Writing• Numeracy• Creative Arts

Thanks