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**INCORPORATING iPADS INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS**



__**INTRODUCTION:**__
The iPad is a newer form of technology that can enhance the learning of students with disabilities. There are many applications available on the iPad for students and teachers to take advantage of. PECS, interactive stories, fine motor skills, and communication devices are accessible on the iPad. Like any piece of assistive technology, there are advantages and disadvantages to using the iPad in a special education classroom. However, these applications give students with disabilities the opportunity to communicate and learn more effectively.

__**OVERVIEW:**__
//WHAT IS AN IPAD?// The iPad is a versatile piece of touch-screen technology created by Apple. It was designed to be a product that was between the iPod and the Mac. The iPad has the same technology system as the iPod touch and iPhone. There are a variety of applications and tools that are available to download for use. media type="youtube" key="Z_d6_gbb90I" height="315" width="560" align="center"

**__HISTORY:__**
Augmentative communication is an alternative way to help students with language disorders and fine motor skills. In the mid 90’s if a student was non-verbal or had fine motor skill issues, a teacher’s resources were very limited. The advanced communication and motor skill exercises at that time were limited to low technology such as picture communication systems (PECS) and small manipulative toys.

The iPad was introduced in April of 2010, by Apple Inc. The introduction of the iPad has drastically changed the assistive communication and fine motor skill world. Instead of carrying around a bunch of different systems and toys with you like Pecs and sign language books, you can carry all your apps on the iPad. The iPad has given students with communication and fine motor skill disorders an array of applications to assist with individualized learning.

__**ADVANTAGES:**__

 * The iPad serves as a wide variety of assistive technology in one complete package.
 * The iPad is a cheaper piece of assistive technology (AT) then the other AT devices out there. The other touch-to-speak AT devices can coast around anywhere for $1,000 -$8,000.An iPad cost $499 and then $189.99 for the Proloquo2Go app, which is a touch to speak app.
 * Since the iPad has the touchscreen element it is more visually appealing.
 * The iPad are easier to use than the traditional computer.
 * An iPad is lightweight; it weighs about 1.5lbs. It is also very portable making it easy to use anywhere.
 * There are over 50,000 educational apps able for the iPad.

__**ISSUES:**__
Even though the iPad is a great learning tool, it does have some issues when being used in a special education classroom. Some students with disabilities have positioning issues, and finding ways to position the iPad for the students can be difficult. The iPad requires the physical touch to access applications. Students who have fine motor difficulties may have issues accessing all of the different aspects of an application. Another issue some people have with this piece of technology is that any applications not created by Apple may not be downloaded for use on the iPad. The cost of the iPad is a little expensive as well. On top of the $499 cost of the iPad, educational applications can range from free to hundreds of dollars increasing the cost of the product. As with any piece of technology, technical errors and problems may occur with applications or other aspects of the iPad.

**Fine Motor Skills**


//ABC Phonics Animals Writing HD App (By: Brain Counts)// This app is a featured educational free app that assists young children with animal recognition and writing. It features farm animals and clues for spelling the name of each animal. This app is not only a great tool for spelling; it supports the practice of fine motor skills. At no cost at all, educators can utilize this application on their iPads for students who need practice with spelling, and fine motor skills in the classroom. To purchase this app, visit apple.

**PECS and Communication**
//iCommunicate (By: Grembe Inc.)//

iCommunicate is an app that has the option of designing visual schedules, storyboards, communication boards, routines, flash cards, choice boards, speech cards, and more. Although this app is not free and costs, $51.99, it is very versatile in the areas in which it would benefit students and is lower costing when it comes to Assistive Technology (AT). To purchase this app, visit apple

Interactive Stories and Activities:
The iPad has many different interactive story applications that you can purchase. They range from read-out-loud to touch-to-read applications. In these applications students can touch words they don’t know and the iPad says the words for them. Apple has teamed up with Pixar and Dream works to make interactive games and movie clips in the stories to keep the students engaged in their reading. The games can range from coloring pictures in the book to learning how to play a quick piece of music on a virtual piano. There are 700,000 thousand books you can download to your i P ad, many of them free.


 * __CONCLUSION:__ **

As there is a continuing expansion of educational apps offered for the iPad, there are now many more ways to incorporate this piece of Assistive Technology (AT) in the special education classroom. The iPad serves as a wide variety of assistive technology in one complete package. Another advantage the iPad has in the classroom is the affordable price, when compared to the prices of compatible AT. Within the AT Continuum, there are 3 levels: no tech, low tech and high tech. The iPad is an affordable example of high tech educators can use in the classroom. Although the iPad has many examples of great ways in which it can be utilized in the special education classroom, it has a few flaws as well. One example being that the iPad does require physical touch, which may cause difficulties for those with disabilities relating to mobility. Overall, the iPad is a great technological tool for the special education classroom.

__**REFERENCES:**__
ABC Phonics Animal Writing HD (2010). In //http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abc-phonics-// //animals-writing/id376573687?mt=8//. Retrieved February 9, 2012

Apple-Introducing iPad 2 (2011, March 2). In //http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_d6_gbb90I&feature=player_embedded//. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2012

Fox, Z. (2011, July 25). Ways iPads Are Changing the Lives of People With Disabilities. In //http://mashable.com/2011/07/25/ipads-disabilities///. Retrieved February 9, 2012

iCommunicate App (2010). In //http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/icommunicate/id320986580?mt=8//. Retrieved February 9, 2012

Using the Apple iPad in your education (2012). In //http://www.onlineeducationblog.org/colleges-universities/top-5-advantages-for-using-// //your-ipad-in-education//. Retrieved February 9, 2012

Use of the iPad for students with significant intellectual disabilities (2010, April 20). In //http://www.ttacnews.vcu.edu/2011/09/use-of-the-ipad-// //for-students-with-significant-intellectual-disabilities.html//. Retrieved February 9, 2012