Crazy for APPS?

Making APPropriate Choices for Students

Melinda Jones Ault & Margaret E. Bausch
University of Kentucky

Resources
The following table includes a selection of websites where resources for apps to teach a
variety of skills can be found. The content of the table was gleaned from the book, Apps for All
Students: A Teacher’s Desktop Guide (Ault & Bausch, 2012). Readers may find this book
useful in learning about apps and how to select and use them effectively and properly for
students with disabilities. There are more references to websites in this book, which is
available from www.tamcec.org.

Apps for Children with Special http://a4cwsn.com/

Needs
http://atclassroom.blogspot.com/2011/02/apps-in-special-
Apps in Special Education
education.html
Apptivities http://www.apptivities.org/

Common Sense Media http://www.commonsensemedia.org/mobile-app-lists

GAMeS Lab http://gameslab.radford.edu/iLearn/apps.html

Hottest Apps- Apple http://web.me.com/hfinch/ADE_Summer_Institute_Mini-
Distinguished Educators Workshop_Info/Your_Hottest_Apps.html
Summer Institute 2010
iEducation Apps Review (iEAR) http://www.iear.org/

iPads for Education http://www.ipadsforeducation.vic.edu.au/

iPads for Kids
iPads in the Classroom
iPhone, iPad, and iPad Touch
Apps for (Special) Education
Mobile Learning for Special
Need
Moms with Apps
Ohio Center for Autism and Low
Incidence (OCALI)
One Place for Special Needs
Practical Autism Resources
http://ipads4kids.com/
https://sites.google.com/site/schrockipad/
http://slpsharing.com/
http://mobilelearning4specialneeds.wikispaces.com/App+Lis
ts
http://momswithapps.com/
http://www.ocali.org/view.php?nav_id=101
http://www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com/
http://www.practicalautismresources.com/Home/ipad-for-
autism

Technology in (Spl) Education- http://techinspecialed.com/2011/08/04/technology-in-

Recommended apps by IEP education-apps-by-goal/
Goals/Skills and some useful
tools
References/Additional Resources

Apple  (2011). Accessibility and iPad. Retrieved from

http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ipad/vision.html
Ault, M. J., & Bausch, M. E. (Eds.). (2012). Apps for all students: A teacher’s desktop guide.
Alexandria, VA: Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division of the Council for
Exceptional Children (TAM).
Bausch, M. E., Ault, M. J., & Hasselbring, T. S. (2006). Assistive technology planner: From IEP
consideration to classroom implementation. Lexington, KY: National Assistive Technology
Research Institute.
Brooks-Young, S. (2011, November 16). Beware! Avoid Carmen Sandiego syndrome [Web log
post]. Retrieved from http://www.portical.org/blog/beware-avoid-carmen-sandiego-
syndrome/1384.htm
Darrow, D. (2011, August 8). K-5 iPad apps for remembering: Part one of Bloom’s revised
taxonomy [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-
elementary-blooms-taxomony-diane-darrow
Epilepsy Foundation. (n.d.). Photosensitivity and seizures. Retrieved from
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/seizures/photosensitivity/index.cfm
eSkillsLearning. (2011). Mobile application selection rubric. Retrieved from
http://eskillslearning.net/uploads/Selection%20Rubric_Scoring%20Rubric.pdf
Newton, D. A., Dell, A. G. (2011). Mobile devices and students with disabilities: What do best
practices tell us? Journal of Special Education Technology 26(3), 47-49.
Schrock, K. (2011). iPad apps evaluation rubric. Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/site/schrockipad/
Tammaro, M. (2012). Does the app fit? Using the Apps Consideration Checklist. In M. J. Ault &
M. E. Bausch (Eds.), Apps for all: A teacher’s desktop guide. Arlington, VA: Technology
and Media Division of the Council for Exceptional Children (TAM).
Vincent, T. (2010, October 26). Evaluation rubric for educational apps [Web log post].
Retrieved from http://learninginhand.com/blog/evaluation-rubric-for-educational-apps.html
Walker, H. (2011, November 29). Evaluation rubric for iPod/iPad/apps [Web log post].
Retrieved http://iteachthererforeipod.blogspot.com/
Wilson, M. (2011). APPSolutely accommodating. Journal of Special Education Technology
26(2), 55-60.
Zabala, J. (2005). Ready, SETT, go! Getting started with the SETT framework. Closing the
Gap, 23(6), 1-3.
 
 APPS FOR ALL STUDENTS

fl Apps Consideration Checklist \l

Name ofApp Rater Rating Date

App Developer Cost Tablet Platform

Programming Required? Yes No Subscription? Yes No Subscription Cost

Grade Level Appropriate for App (circle): Pre-K K-3 4-6 MS HS

CONSIDERING SENSORY AND COGNITIVE FEATURES

a. Auditory Yes Sometimes No Optional N/A

Content is presented with auditory component

Auditory feedback for responding is used

Feedback for responding is paired with graphics/text

Auditory component is adjustable

The auditory features of this app are appropriate for (student) Yes No
Comments:

Features to Use with This Student:

b. Visual Yes Sometimes No Optional N/A

Visual information is presented with graphics and text

Visual information is graphics alone

Visual information is text alone

Visual information is paired with auditory component

Visual feedback for responding is immediate and clear

Zoom to magnify screen is included

Font size change capabilities

Color contrast change capabilities

The visual features of this app are appropriate for (student) Yes No
Comments:

Features to Use with This Student:

© 2012 Technology and Media Divsion (TAM) of the Council for Exceptional Children
This form may be reproduced for educational purposes only.

continued on next page

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 APPS FOR ALL STUDENTS

tJ Apps Consideration Checklist \l

c. Cognitive Yes Sometimes No Optional N/A

Complexity levels are adjustable or a variety of levels can

be selected

Student engagement with app is intuitive

Student can understand feedback (feedback is at student's

cognitive level)

The cognitive demands of this app are appropriate for (student) Yes No
Comments:

Levels to Use with This Student:

d. Sensory Yes Sometimes No Optional N/A

Colors can be changed

Speed of graphics can be changed

Screen view is uncluttered

The sensory features of this app are appropriate for (student) Yes No
Comments:

Features to Use with This Student:

CONSIDERING APP CHARACTERISTICS

a. Content Yes Sometimes No Optional N/A

App teaches what it claims to teach

Content is presented in a culturally inclusive manner,

when appropriate

The content of this app is appropriate for (student) Yes No

Comments:

© 2072 Technology and Media Divsion (TAM) of the Council for Exceptional Children
This form may be reproduced for educational purposes only.

continued on next page

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 APPS FOR ALL STUDENTS

fl Apps Consideration Checklist \l

b. Design Yes Sometimes No Optional N/A

Help menu, settings, or instructions are easily

available

Settings are easily changed

Setting change options are appropriate and sufficient

Option exists for data collection of responses

Size of activation icon can be changed

The design features are appropriate for (student) Yes No

Comments:

Settings to Use with This Student:

BASIC ACCESS/INPUT FEATURES

Yes Sometimes No Optional N/A

Swipe screen- anywhere

Swipe screen- specific location

Tap/touch screen anywhere

Tap specific screen location

Screen pinch - to zoom in or out

Slide (touch an icon and slide it across screen)

Screen tilt (app requires moving device in a tilt manner)

Shake device

Voice control of app available

The access features are appropriate for (student) Yes No

Comments:

Access/Input Features to Use with This Student:

© 2012 Technology and Media Divsion (TAM) of the Council for Exceptional Children
This form may be reproduced for educational purposes only.

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 APPS FOR ALL STUDENTS

fl Apps Consideration Checklist ll

ADVANCED ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES

Yes Sometimes No Optional N/A

Screen reader compatible

Use of VoiceOver screen reader is included

Open wireless network is available for use with wireless

Bra ille displays or switch

Chang ing sound from stereo to mono is available

Closed caption content/capabilities

Able to use app with AssistiveTouch

Access ibility Features to Use with This Student:

OTHER FEATURES (SPECIFY)

Yes Sometimes No Optional N/A

Other:

Other:

COMMENTS

© 2012 Technology and Media Divsion (TAM) of the Council fo r Exceptional Children
This form may be reproduced for educational purposes only.

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