Corinne McKenna

EDUC 1070-3

Special Needs iPad Assignment

When there are students in a classroom that have disabilities, they have special needs that need to be met. Teachers can utilize iPad applications and software to aid these special students. One such application that teachers can use is Visual Routine made by Proteon Software. The application allows the user to make routines for themselves. They can place pictures next to each task and once the task is complete, it can be checked off. The application also allows for sound effect, so you can have the task be said aloud if you tap on it. You can see all of the users routines on the homepage and you can edit each routine as needed. This application could be used for all grade levels. For lower grade levels, the teacher may need to be more involved in getting all of the users routines ready, but the fact that there are images and sounds, this application can be used by anybody. It can be used to help students keep up with their daily tasks and feel independent while doing it. In some classes there will be students with cognitive disabilities. Students with cognitive disabilities benefit from text-to-speech software and they also have attention deficits (Roblyer, Doering, 405-406). For students with moderate and severe cognitive disabilities, it is important to focus on daily life skills, like hygiene and keeping up with meals (Roblyer, Doering, 408). These students need software that will help them in these areas, in the classroom and out. The Visual Routine application will help students with cognitive disabilities by providing them with a list of tasks that will help hold their attention (and teachers can even give rewards once the students check off a certain number of tasks), allowing students to see text as well as hear the speech, and it helps them focus on their daily life tasks and skills.

Corinne McKenna

EDUC 1070-3

Special Needs iPad Assignment

Classes may also see students with sensory disabilities. Two sensory disabilities that are common is schools deal with visual disabilities and hearing disabilities. For students with visual impairment, it is difficult for them to see texts and images in the classroom and they benefit form auditory support or magnified screens (Roblyer, Doering, 409). Students with hearing impairments benefit from amplification, as well as visual aids. The Visual Routine application will help students with sensory disabilities by giving visually impaired students an auditory option in helping them complete their daily tasks and giving hearing impaired students a visual of what their day will look like. This application will give these students another way to see, or hear, what the day has in store for them. Overall, Visual Routine would be helpful to add to any students iPad in order to help them move through their days, but it would be especially helpful to incorporate into special needs students devices. This application helps with issues that students with disabilities encounter and it creates a better classroom environment for them.

Corinne McKenna

EDUC 1070-3 Resources Cited

Special Needs iPad Assignment

Roblyer, M.D., Doering A. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.