Tablets: part of the SEN toolkit?Abi JamesHead of Product Innovationiansyst Ltd

Technology & SEN: What are we looking to achieve?

• Engagement• Motivation• Achievement• Access

Why are we using technology

• Multi-sensory• Confidence-building, motivating• Removes barriers to the curriculum• Develops independence• Delivers personalised curriculum• A computer is a patient

Tablets as an Assistive Technology

New story or old?

So what is different about new tablet technology?

• Mainstream– Cool– Better knowledge base and support

• Cost-effective• Light & Robust • More applications? • Truly multi-sensory, multi-touch

How can tablets be used to support SEN and disabilities?

Communication & AACiOS Apps:Proloquo2GoPredicatable Grid PlayerAlso…- Flash based web

resources: Symbolworld.org

- Flashcard apps

Touchscreen allows instant cause & effect

- Pop Goes the Bubble, - Ballonanimals,- SoundTouch• Use drawing packages

to interact with photographs

• NB consider switch accessibility

Literacy Support• Wide range of spelling apps & activities• Text to speech – Hearing words as they are typed helps

improve spelling– Reading aloud with synchronised

highlighting improves reading skills• Engaging with multimedia activities– Annotate photos to encourage reluctant

readers

Video Demonstrations• CapturaTalk 4 Android– Using speech to correct spelling

– Reading with highlighting

• Skitch & CapturaTalk 4Android– Annotating a photo– OCR & TTS

Built-in support for visual impairment& magnification

• Screen-reading:– VoiceOver (iOS)– TalkBack (Android)

• Magnification– Pinch & Zoom– Photos & Video support

• Braille output support

Note-taking support

• Capture and organise notes using Notebook apps

• Capture short pieces of information e.g. Evernote

• Support note taking with audio, photo and video tools

• Hand-writing recognition, speech recognition…

Organisation & Memory• Visual and auditory

alarms• Visual / tactile

calendars & timetables• Develop memory &

processing skills through fun games

• Mind concept mapping tools

Adapting tablets to suit all needs

• Android– very good support; can

attach mouse and keyboard alternatives

• iOS– Apps must be specifically

written to support switch access

• Bluetooth & wired switch solutions available

Adapting tablets to suit all needs

• Bluetooth & wired switch solutions available

• Protector cases, support and mounting make tablets suitable for a wide range of environments

Using Apps as an educational resource…

The App-ification of software

• Average shelf-life of an iPhone app is 90 days (2009)

• OS updates on mobile devices are frequent• How can we support apps over a number of

years? • Web apps (traditional or HTML) vs. installed

apps

Pitfalls of app stores• UK or US English• Free vs. paid – beware adverts, limited

functionality• Accessible?• Logistics of installing and updating apps• Multi-user licenses?• App store reviews vs. qualified, educational

assessment

Abi James, abi@iansyst.co.ukwww.iansyst.co.uk

Iansyst LtdFen HouseFen RoadCambridge CB4 1UNTel: 01223 420101