Team+2

=**iPads in Special Education** =

= Introduction: = ===In the teaching world, technology has made drastic changes over the past few years. One of these main changes has been integrating the iPad in special education classrooms. According to Wikipedia, the iPad is a line of tablet computer designed and developed by Apple. It is particularly marketed as a platform for audio and visual media such as books, periodicals, movies, music, and games as well as web content. These new pieces of technology have changed how teachers present their information in the special education classroom.===

media type="youtube" key="BxfloSNpujI" height="315" width="560" align="center"

= History: = ===Before the iPad, students and educators had to use a combination of many different pieces of technology to properly communicate with each other and learn new tasks. For example, students with autism who may have difficulty communicating with others would have had to have used PECS or a DynaVox. PECS are pictures that students carry around in a book or binder that they use for communication. By pointing to a certain picture or sequence of pictures they could relay the message to others around them. This can be somewhat difficult because the student may not have a picture of the exact object they’re trying to discuss.===

===Another assistive technology tool that was used before the iPad was the DynaVox. The DynaVox is a speech device tool that is also used for communication. Depending on the specific type of DynaVox it can have a keyboard, a large screen for pictures, and buttons to help those who have motor problems. DynaVox users are able to type words and sentences into the DynaVox to show others or play out loud so everyone can hear. The DynaVox is a very useful tool for those with speech and communication issues, but compared with the iPad, it is far more expensive and limited in the ways that it can help those with disabilities.===

= Advantages: = ===There are many advantages to using the iPad in special education classrooms. One of these advantages is the fact that the iPad is durable and easily accessible. There is no mouse, everything is done by tapping or dragging and there is no cord that has to be plugged into the wall during use because the iPad has a 10 hour battery life. This means that students can take the iPad nearly anywhere to assist them with everyday activities. Another advantage of the iPad is that many apps are available for little or no cost at all. This is beneficial to educators because they are able to find new, useful tools without having to spend a lot of money.===

===The iPads are also very versatile tools for learning because they can be used for many different tasks for students with a wide range of abilities. Some apps are able to help students communicate if they are unable to talk. These apps have pictures and words that the students can locate and show others to help them communicate. The iPad also says phrases out loud, so by clicking on the word, the student and teacher can both listen to what the student is trying to say. Other apps help students with literacy; they are able to trace letters, numbers, and words to help them become more familiar with writing. A benefit to using the iPad over paper and pencil for these types of skills is that the iPad is new and interesting to students so it sparks their attention. Also, the iPad positively reinforces students by cheering when they get something correct. The iPad also helps students who have fine motor disabilities. There are many apps available that help students with these issues work on their fine motor skills by tapping, dragging, or touching different items on the screen.===



= Disadvantages: = ===Along with the long list of advantages there are also a few disadvantages to using the iPad in the classroom. When using the iPad, students can easily tap the wrong button and accidentally change settings, rearrange apps, or even delete apps. Another obvious downfall to the iPad is that it cannot be used when working with large groups of students due to its size. The iPad is approximately 10 inches by 7 inches. Those dimensions mean the iPad is smaller than a regular sheet of paper. So if you are working with a student who had very limited fine motor skills it can be very difficult for the student to effectively utilize the iPad technology.===

= Apps: = ===One of the main reasons why the iPad is so beneficial for students with disabilities is because of all the existing apps. There are thousands of different types of apps out there, especially ones that can be used in the classroom. Some of the subjects you can get apps for include Geography, Mathematics, Art, Astronomy, Music Appreciation, Science and Reading. Many of the apps can be downloaded for free on the iPad, but there are also some that require you to pay. Usually if there is an app that you want, but you don’t want to pay for it, you can find a similar app that is free. [], is a website that has two different lists of educational apps, one is a list of apps that that you need to pay for, and the other list contains similar apps that are free of cost. Some common apps that teachers typically like to have on their iPad in their classroom are apps for music, books, and interactive stories. Students with disabilities tend to enjoy these types of apps a lot.===



= Proloquo2Go: = ===Proloquo2Go is an app that has changed the world for individuals with disabilities particularly students with autism. Proloquo2Go is an augmentative app for the iPad, which means it allows individuals who are nonverbal to speak. It has text-to-speech voices, so that when the student touches a certain picture on the iPad it will say out loud what he or she wants to say. Proloquo2Go is user friendly, and navigation of the program comes naturally to many students. One major benefit of Proloquo2Go is that it can be customized for each individual. Certain pictures can be added to the home page to meet the needs of each student. From experience working with Proloquo2go, many students have made huge strides with their social skills, and independent functioning.===

media type="youtube" key="zuKv0Z2_HMo" width="425" height="350" align="center"

= = =Teaching Strategies: = ===Since the iPad has been incorporated into the world of education teachers have been able to creatively teach different courses and subject matter in a way never done before. Now with the iPad a teacher can use one of the many apps from the app store and have the students use this app to learn valuable information in a fun entertaining way. The way students learn is changing rapidly. Students now learn differently than their grandparents, even parents. Today’s students learn better with technology than with books and lectures. The invention of video games, computer games, and now with iPads and iPods has changed our students way of life, including the way they learn. Students in special education classrooms now are able to better communicate with their teachers and peers by an app on the iPad. Usually augmentative communication devices cost thousands of dollars. With the iPad teachers now have access to the Proloque2Go which costs approximately $189. The possibilities are endless with the iPad. Teachers can use the iPad to work with students on writing letters, students can work on the math facts in a fun video game way, and teachers are able to leave a child with an iPad and aide another student having trouble. The iPad is very easy to use which gives teachers a lot less to worry about.===

=Future Direction: = ===The future relationship of the iPad and education is unknown. Apple has surprised Americans for years now coming out with something more new and exciting than before. Who really knows what is set to come out next. Yet clearly iPads are not going anywhere but into more schools each year. With teachers and administrators learning more about the technology and how it is benefiting the students in the special education world, there is no doubt that iPads will not be leaving the school systems anytime soon. New technology, apps, and probably even newer and better iPads are going to be appearing in the near future. Schools will be grabbing onto this fast growing technology for a long time.===

= Conclusion: = ===In conclusion, the iPad has already made a huge impact in education and special education in particular. Whether it is its ease of use, portability, durability, or array of multi-functional apps, the iPad makes a great educational tool that will help with many aspects in the classroom. Non-verbal students who may not be able to afford an expensive communication device are able to communicate using the iPad as an inexpensive alternative. With new technology coming out every day it is just a matter of time until iPads and similar technology is present in nearly every special education classroom.===

= References: =
 * Clare, Jayne., Rachel, Anne. (2011, August 1st). Proloquo2Go. //Teachers with Apps.// Retrieved September 18, 2011, from []


 * iPad. (n.d.). In //Wikipedia//. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from []
 * Winograd, D. (2009, October 21). Proloquo2Go: Assistive communication for the iPhone and iPod touch. In //Tuaw//. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from []


 * Technology Integration in K12 Education. (n.d.). In //Wikibooks//. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from []


 * Herbert, M. (2011, November). The iPad Breaking New Ground in Special Education. In //District Administration//. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from __[]__


 * Anderson, G. H. (n.d.). iPad's in Special Education. In //Glenda's Assistive Technology information and more.//. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from [|__http://atclassroom.blogspot.com/2011/01/computers-vs-ipads-in-special-education.html__]


 * Farnsworth, D. (2011, August 14). iPad Breaking Ground for Special Learners. In //Bright Hub A Hub for Bright Minds//. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from [|__http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/123140.aspx__]


 * Reitz, S. (2011, September 3). Many US Schools adding iPads, trimming textbooks. In //Yahoo Finance//. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from [|__http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Many-US-schools-adding-iPads-apf-1245885050.html?x=0&.v=2__]


 * Apple Inc. (n.d.). Learning in iPad. In //Apple in Education//. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from [|__http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/__]


 * DynaVox. (2011, March). In //Wikipedia//. Retrieved September 18, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DynaVox