This document discusses using mobile devices like iPads in middle and high school classrooms. It provides examples of case studies of students with special needs who have benefited academically and socially from using iPad apps. Specific apps are recommended that align with IEP goals for reading, writing, math, social skills, and more. Teachers have seen improved engagement, motivation, and literacy results from classes using iPads compared to non-iPad classes. The document promotes mobile devices as tools to differentiate instruction and help all students learn at their own level and pace.

1. Motivation: Making Apps
Work in Middle and High
School

2. Agenda
• BridgingApps Program and History
• Using mobile devices in middle and high school
• Case studies
• App demonstrations
• Raffle

3. Who We Are
BridgingApps is a volunteer community of parents,
therapists, doctors, and teachers who share information
on how we are using mobile devices such as the iPad,
iPhone, iPod Touch and Android devices with people who
have special needs.
www.bridgingapps.org

4. Beginnings

5. BridgingApps Website
www.bridgingapps.org
• Getting Started—hardware, accessibility,
communication apps, videos, tablet accessories
• App Search Tool—search apps, read app reviews,
create lists, share lists
• Programs—Classes, services, AT labs, training
• Community—Online community groups, local
meetings in Houston, Austin, McAllen
• About Us—Contact us & success stories

6. Apps In School
• Mobile devices are fantastic tools for differentiating curriculum in the
classroom. We envision a time when ALL classes are "inclusion"
classes and every child is working at a different level.
• There are more and more apps for classroom activities & projects
• Using mobile devices is motivating for homework or home programs
• Data tracking apps can help monitor progress
• Choosing apps that allow users to create their own content is highly
motivating, engaging, and can relate to individual education plans

7. How does the iPad meet
IEP Goals?
IEP= Individual Education Plan- Ipad- Individual Apps
• Study Skills
• Reading
• Writing
• Mathematics
• Social and Emotional
• Motor
• Basic Cognitive/Daily Living

8. IEP & App Matching

9. Case Study
• 11 year old boy with DS
• 5th grade, public school
• iPad 1
• Summarized IEP goals
1. Create a story using a graphic organizer or technology
that contains an engaging introduction, proper sequence,
a problem, a resolution and descriptive details
2. Use keyboarding skills to type complete sentences
3. Master the reading of 100 new sight words
4. Use visuals to demonstrate understanding of fractions,
such as 1/5 or 2/4
5. Express the concept of multiplication by forming adding
groups

10. Case Study
Recommended apps for parents to work with
their child:
• Mind Mapping—Popplet
• Spelling—Reading Pal, American Wordspeller
• Fractions—Jungle Fractions for iPad
• Multiplication— Math App Multiplication, Math Dictionary for
Kids
• Inferencing—Minimod Reading for Inferences, Fun with
Directions
• Dragon Go
• Speak It!

11. Meet Sebastian

12. Meet Sebastian
• 10 years old
• Education environment: Bilingual education, 4th
grade public school
• Diagnosis: Classic Autism
• Skills targeted: language skills, social language
skills, oral speech (was using single words at age
8), attention to task, self-regulation

13. Sebastian’s Success
• iPad for one year
• Apps used with Sebastian:
1. Art Maker by ABC's Play School—language
2. Write My Name—spelling and using word correctly
in a sentence
3. Happi and the Word Thief—discussing emotions
4. Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade Fiction—reading
and auditory comprehension

14. Meet Steven

15. Meet Steven
• 16 years old
• Education environment: 10th grade public school,
life skills class with some resource
• Diagnosis: Learning Disabled & Asperger’s
• Skills targeted: Struggles with speech, reading
aloud, reading comprehension, written expression

16. Steven’s Success
• iPad for one year
• Apps used with Steven:
1. Abilipad—written expression, has word
prediction
2. Notes—written expression
3. Skype—reading aloud without fear
4. Camera/Photostream—retelling events

17. iPad as a Tool
• iPad improved engagement for all students
• iPad improved motivation in all students at home and
school environments
• iPad given a voice to non-verbal students
• iPad can be used to increase the level of socialization
and successes

18. Motivation= Results
• According to the literacy test results, classes using the
iPads outperformed the non-iPad students in every
literacy measure they were test on.
”We are seeing high levels of student motivation, engagement and learning in the
iPad classrooms,” said Sue Dorris, principal at East Auburn Community School.
“The apps, which teach and reinforce fundamental literacy concepts and skills,
are engaging, interactive and provide children with immediate feedback. What’s
more, teachers can customize apps to match the instructional needs of each
child, so students are able to learn successfully at their own level and pace.”
http://www.ipadinschools.com/328/largest-deployment-of-ipads-in-schools/