Money, Money, Money......

Hi Guys.
I am a little bit excited as I have just found two pretty cool apps. 

The first is iCAN Count Money New Zealand

Price: $1.29
This is a great NZ specific app for practising using money.

This is the app. I have been waiting for.  It's not going to replace actually using real money and visiting the shops but it's great to reinforce the skills and understanding.

Finally an app. that uses NZ coins and notes. 

I've altered the settings for my class so it just uses coins - you can also choose which coins you wish to use.

Super cool app - I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The next app. is Operation Math:

 

 

Price: Free with addition equations only, or $5.29 for full version with basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
With a villain, Dr Odd, secret bases, and spy missions to complete, this award-winning app is very popular with students. It is designed for children aged 5-12.

I have just downloaded it for my class - just the free version as that basic addition is enough for my guys at the moment.

 

If you try them let me know what you think.

Christmas is coming!

Seasons Greetings!
It's never too early to get set for Christmas.  Lots of shops have their Christmas displays set up.  I had a wander through the tree section in Farmers a few days ago - very festive.  I love Christmas - I think I must be a big kid at heart.  Anyway - I thought I would look in  the App. store using the iPad to see what Xmas apps might be around.  I just put 'Christmas' into the search box and loads of stuff came up.  Loads of it was free. I have downloaded 10 apps with a range of activities - many of these involve numeracy, literacy, hand eye co-ordination.  There were loads of apps to choose from - I could have downloaded many more but I'll give these a try first.
These are the 10 I have selected for now:

Twas the Night before Jaspers Christmas (book):

 

          

Christmas Songs:

 

Christmas Fun (various games):

 

Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle:

 

25 days to Xmas - Advent Calender:

 

Christmas Tale (book):

 

Christmas Piano:

 

Toca Hair Salon - Christmas Gift (cutting and styling Santa's hair + beard):

 

Talking Santa:

 

Christmas tree Holiday:

 

I tried to include something for every student in my class with these choices.
There are hundreds to choose from - let me know if you decide to try any out.  I'll let you know how my class get on with the apps above.

 

Songify

I was researching apps. which may help one particular student with his expressive language and have discovered this.  It sounds FAB!  I am going to give it a whirl and let you know how I get on..........watch this space.......

 

Songify

App Name/Publisher: Songify by the Gregory brothers of Khush Inc.

Description: Perfect for iPhone, iTouch, iPad or Android this FREE and easy to use app allows you to turn speech into song. Simply “tap to record” and voila, Songify turns your speech into awesome musical vocals set to upbeat tracks. Totally cool, right!? Don't like the default track that comes with the app? No problem! The app boasts a variety of tracks you can mix and re-mix your new song for $1 per track. You can even save your recording and email it as an mp4 file to Facebook, Twitter or Gmail.

Applications for Music Therapy: Although I have used this app with clients to focus on breath support, articulation and discussing social concepts, Songify can also address expressive language, following directions, and creativity. Just the other day I had one client talk about what he had for breakfast and another talk about her feelings for a close friend. What a great expressive tool!

Applications Outside of Music Therapy: Great for addressing speech and language goals and an excellent motivational tool for addressing behavioral goals like following directions and impulse control.

Songify is loads of fun for addressing all kinds of therapeutic goals, but really, it is a fun app for everyone in the family. Download this FREE app for your kids and students today!

Reviewed by: Bonnie Hayhurst, MT-BC

Music Therapist and owner of http://groovygarfoose.com

Dexteria

Had a bit of a search of reviews for the Dexteria app.  Loads - mostly mixed reviews.

Here is one such review:

http://www.therapyapp411.com/2012/05/dexteria.html

As the app is cheap I may get it to give it a try.

App Connect - September 2012

Hi there everyone,

This link will take you to the September 2012 issue of App Connect:

http://assistive.dtsl.co.nz/files/App%20Connect%20September.pdf

I'm quite liking the look of the 'Dexteria' app - will research it a bit more - could be useful for several students in my class.

Check this out - something to try..............

Good Keen Librarian: iPads - E-Learning Staff Meeting

one for the iPadders

This message is for my iPad trial group at school (the iPadders): Well Guys, We have done really well so far on our iPad journey. All iPads up and running.  Apps downloaded and in use.  The issue now is on managing a group of iPads.  Various methods looked at - the iPad group at school is just deciding on which method we will go for for buying and managing our apps - watch this space.