Saturday, 9 July 2011
Introduction to Assistive Technology
This video is produced by the Don Johnson Empire, and it is called “The case against assistive technology”. Of course, it doesn’t present a case against assistive technologies, but instead looks at the assumptions stopping schools from using technology. Although it does not apply specifically to the writing process, it does demonstrate the direction in which we are moving, and gives us a glimpse into the future. This is a must see for anyone who is reluctant to incorporate assistive technology into their classroom.
This link is an hour long webinar on Integrating Assistive Technology Writing Tools. It is presented by an assistive technology consultant and program director and it discusses assistive technology for writing, and discussing how to integrate and implement these processes into the classroom integration.
Friday, 8 July 2011
Planning to Write
Most struggling writers spend less than one minute planning (Writing Better, 2005). Many of these students demonstrate poor organizational skills, and feel overwhelmed with all of the requirements involved when completing a writing task. There are assistive technologies available to assist these students.
Inspiration and Kidspiration:
http://www.inspiration.com/
http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration
Inspiration and Kidspiration are “The visual ways to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts”. Esentially, they are brainstorming tools that help students visually organize and outline their ideas in order to support the writing process. Students can use images to represent and sort their ideas, all the while being more engaged. These programs can be used to create storyboards, build sequence charts, or break up longer assignments. On the websites, there are examples of how to use this software not only in Language Arts, but also Science and Social Studies, The websites include testimonials and successful stories, as well as a list of awards and studies that reference Inspiration, and there is even a Webinar walking you through the program (to further convince the hesitant buyer). One also has the option of downloading a 30-day free trial to test drive either program before purchasing. If you teach in an elementary school, Kidspiration is the most appropriate program, while Inspiration is geared more toward secondary students.
Draft:Builder:
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/draft_builder/index.html\
This program, developed by Don Johnston, breaks the writing process down into three steps (and unlike Inspiration, helps students transition from brainstorming to writing):
1) brainstorming
2) note-taking
3) writing the first draft
Draft:Builder includes a dictionary, a bibliographer (with APA and MLA formats), a talking spell checker, and new natural-sounding speakers. The website includes numerous testimonials and case studies, as well as a product demo and a free 30 day trial (although you have to be teaching in the U.S.A. to apply). A single computer license is $139.00, but if you outfitted an entire school (50+ computers), the cost could drop as low as $69.50 per computer. The website professes that teachers can be trained on how to use Draft:Builder in a mere 30 minutes.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Assistive Technology: Kurzweil 3000
A great video on how Kurweil 3000 has helped students of all abilities with their writing, comprehension and organization.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Writing Right
CoWriter
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/cowriter/index.html
CoWriter is a predictive word software program that allows the user to write entire sentences by typing only a few letters. It is so effective because it uses “Linguistic Word Prediction” so it uses “grammar-based intelligence”, meaning it can predict words within the framework of a valid sentence and is more flexible than traditional word prediction programs. This program works with other writing applications from Microsoft Word, to Emailing. CoWriter is very beneficial for those who have poor handwriting, who struggle with phonetic spelling, who have difficulty typing, or who struggle with written expression. Again, the website includes links to a demo, and testimonials, and claims teachers can be trained in 30 minutes. If you click on the link below, you can view before and after samples of writing from students who try CoWriter.
http://www.donjohnston.com/media/flash/cowriter_student_samples/index.html
The software is rather expensive and ranges from $290.00 per computer (for 1 – 4 computers) to $145.00 per computer (for 50+ computers).
http://ssrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/jrenouf/CoWriter.htm
The South Shore Regional School Board has put together a series of short PowerPoint presentations that demonstrate a number of topics from a brief introduction to the CoWriter, to using topic dictionaries and changing your speech options.
WordQ
http://www.goqsoftware.com/en/
Similar to CoWriter, this software program suggest words to use, and then provides spoken feedback, to better identify any errors. The program has many advantageous features such as learning words you like and predicting these faster, and reading exactly what you write (making it easier to identify poor grammar or punctuation). It also appeals to youth, as the website remind users that WordQ can read websites, including Facebook and Twitter. Those interested can watch video tutorials, available on the website, and try a thirty day demo. The listed price is $199 per license, and the website states the price lower with the number of licences purchased.
Clicker 5
http://www.cricksoft.com/us/products/tools/clicker/home.aspx
Clicker 5 is a writing support tool that allows users to compose sentences without writing or using the keyboard, simply by clicking on words or phrases. This program displays both symbols and text and the words are read aloud, enabling learners to make connections between images and words. Clicker 5 is a beneficial tool for these with dyslexia, low vision, physical disabilities, and various learning disabilities because it: breaks tasks down into manageable steps; is multisensory and keeps children motivated; comes fully accessible with switches; and has special high-contrast colour options with the choice of zooming in. Interestingly enough, this software application is more expensive for each individual license, compared to other programs ($249.00 per license), but there is the option of having unlimited access for a single school for $2,000. Therefore, if you want it on eight or more computers, it makes financial sense to get unlimited access. There is a video on the website with additional information for those interested. As well, a graduate student by the name of Rose Racicot completed her M.Sc. Thesis on Clicker 5, and you can read her dissertation for further information:
http://www.cricksoft.com/Files/research/RACICOT_Thesis.pdf
Write OutLoud
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/write_outloud/index.html
Don Johnson does it again with the Write Outloud software application, designed as a simple text to speech option. Although there are many text to speech programs, Write OutLoud is a good fit for students who have only moderate grammar and spelling challenges, and who write better with auditory support. Words are read as they are written, and the program has a dictionary, spell checker, and even a homophone checker. Again, there is a tutorial online, and teachers can be trained in 30 minutes. As with all Don Johnson products, the more you buy, the more you save ($84.00 for a single license, compared to $42.00 for fifty or more licences).
Ghotit
http://www.ghotit.com/home.shtml
What I like most about this program, is that you can try and use it for free. If you visit the website above, you can copy and paste text into a box, and the program will autocorrect for you. Each incorrect word is highlighted; when you click on the word, there is a list of suggestions, and each has the definition attached so you can be sure to select the proper word. This is much more effective than the typical spell checker on Microsoft Word, and students can use it for free at home or at school.
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/cowriter/index.html
CoWriter is a predictive word software program that allows the user to write entire sentences by typing only a few letters. It is so effective because it uses “Linguistic Word Prediction” so it uses “grammar-based intelligence”, meaning it can predict words within the framework of a valid sentence and is more flexible than traditional word prediction programs. This program works with other writing applications from Microsoft Word, to Emailing. CoWriter is very beneficial for those who have poor handwriting, who struggle with phonetic spelling, who have difficulty typing, or who struggle with written expression. Again, the website includes links to a demo, and testimonials, and claims teachers can be trained in 30 minutes. If you click on the link below, you can view before and after samples of writing from students who try CoWriter.
http://www.donjohnston.com/media/flash/cowriter_student_samples/index.html
The software is rather expensive and ranges from $290.00 per computer (for 1 – 4 computers) to $145.00 per computer (for 50+ computers).
http://ssrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/jrenouf/CoWriter.htm
The South Shore Regional School Board has put together a series of short PowerPoint presentations that demonstrate a number of topics from a brief introduction to the CoWriter, to using topic dictionaries and changing your speech options.
WordQ
http://www.goqsoftware.com/en/
Similar to CoWriter, this software program suggest words to use, and then provides spoken feedback, to better identify any errors. The program has many advantageous features such as learning words you like and predicting these faster, and reading exactly what you write (making it easier to identify poor grammar or punctuation). It also appeals to youth, as the website remind users that WordQ can read websites, including Facebook and Twitter. Those interested can watch video tutorials, available on the website, and try a thirty day demo. The listed price is $199 per license, and the website states the price lower with the number of licences purchased.
Clicker 5
http://www.cricksoft.com/us/products/tools/clicker/home.aspx
Clicker 5 is a writing support tool that allows users to compose sentences without writing or using the keyboard, simply by clicking on words or phrases. This program displays both symbols and text and the words are read aloud, enabling learners to make connections between images and words. Clicker 5 is a beneficial tool for these with dyslexia, low vision, physical disabilities, and various learning disabilities because it: breaks tasks down into manageable steps; is multisensory and keeps children motivated; comes fully accessible with switches; and has special high-contrast colour options with the choice of zooming in. Interestingly enough, this software application is more expensive for each individual license, compared to other programs ($249.00 per license), but there is the option of having unlimited access for a single school for $2,000. Therefore, if you want it on eight or more computers, it makes financial sense to get unlimited access. There is a video on the website with additional information for those interested. As well, a graduate student by the name of Rose Racicot completed her M.Sc. Thesis on Clicker 5, and you can read her dissertation for further information:
http://www.cricksoft.com/Files/research/RACICOT_Thesis.pdf
Write OutLoud
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/write_outloud/index.html
Don Johnson does it again with the Write Outloud software application, designed as a simple text to speech option. Although there are many text to speech programs, Write OutLoud is a good fit for students who have only moderate grammar and spelling challenges, and who write better with auditory support. Words are read as they are written, and the program has a dictionary, spell checker, and even a homophone checker. Again, there is a tutorial online, and teachers can be trained in 30 minutes. As with all Don Johnson products, the more you buy, the more you save ($84.00 for a single license, compared to $42.00 for fifty or more licences).
Ghotit
http://www.ghotit.com/home.shtml
What I like most about this program, is that you can try and use it for free. If you visit the website above, you can copy and paste text into a box, and the program will autocorrect for you. Each incorrect word is highlighted; when you click on the word, there is a list of suggestions, and each has the definition attached so you can be sure to select the proper word. This is much more effective than the typical spell checker on Microsoft Word, and students can use it for free at home or at school.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Assistive Technology for Writing
Here is a great YouTube video that demonstrates different low tech tools to assist in writing.
This video below shows a young boy using a device called a WriterTrack, which prevents overstimulation, assists with proper spacing, and improves grasping patterns.
This video below shows a young boy using a device called a WriterTrack, which prevents overstimulation, assists with proper spacing, and improves grasping patterns.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Low Tech Assistive Products
LOW TECH PRODUCTS
There are many products and websites to buy different types of "low tech" products for students with needs for writing. They range from pencil grips to tomato seats. Here are a few companies and sample products.
Company Website: http://www.especialneeds.com/home.php
Katie Peglow is a licensed Pediatric Physical Therapist for Early Intervention. When you call, customer assistance will be OT's or Physical Therapists. Website has an extensive array of products listed by "Need". Needs include help with sitting, standing, walking, transportation, lying down, sensory intergration, balance,
crawling, communication and bathing. This Tomato Seat seems to be a popular product with all these websites.
EZ Grip is a company that specializes in adaptive pens and pencils.
Here are some sample products.
Products are not expensive. Website:
The Pencil Grip, Inc. company was started by Dr. Lois Provda, an Educational Therapist and now they sell hundreds of products. They are inexpensive tools that can be ordered online. Here are a few sample products:
Website:
TOYS FOR AUTISM
The website sepcializes on any tools required by children with autism The site was developed by an Atlanta based group of board certified OT's. They gear their site for parents and teachers of autistic kids.
Here are some handwriting assistive tools.
For posture and balance:
Costs vary depending on items.
Website:
AUTISTICCHILDREN.ORG
An on-line store for many products specialized for children with autism.
Here are some handwriting tools:
Posture and Balance:
Website:ACHIEVEMENT PRODUCTS
An extensive website to purchase items for special needs children. Categories are Sensory Stimulation, Sensory Optics, Sensory Intergration, Art Therapy, Gross Motor, Handwriting. Huge selection of products.
Handwriting:
http://www.achievement-products.com/FDMT, The Boutique
Another huge website that specializes on educational materials and sensory tools for special needs children.
http://www.fdmt.ca/catalogue/
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Songwriter's Pad for iPad
Here is a YouTube of the Songwriter's Pad app in action. You are able to look up choice of words, phrases, rhymes and there is a dictionary. There is also a recorder option where you can record your own lyrics, phrasing and melodies. This is great for students who want to write songs!
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Useful Apps for Writing
abc Pocket Phonics: letter sounds and writing + first words
![]()
For emergent writers, abc Phonics introduces letter-sound relationship. As they learn the sounds, they follow the arrows to trace the letter. The app also does letter combinations such as ch and sh. You can shut off the letter guiding arrows and the app will judge the accuracy. Bright colors, interactive. Not a great app if a student does not have good fine motor skills. Enhances eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills, letter-sound association,
You-Tube has a demo of the app.
http://youtu.be/mMoDlhYPlMw![]()
iwrite words
Cost-$2.99 (There is a lite version.)
Award winning app for hand-writing letters. YouTube has a demo.
http://youtu.be/8ZTkPtAyqOY
iThought
Cost-7.99
A graphic organizer app to help students organize their thoughts. Similar to Inspiration with concept maps, bubbles and links to the bubbles. easy to navigate. Can export to a pdf file. For lower level content skills.
Instant Poetry
Cost-$1.99
Similar to the once popular magnetic fridge magnets to creat poetry, it comes in an i-pod app. Drag and drop words to create poems. Can import a background form i-pod pictures. Students must be literate to us ethis app. Can e-mail the document. Good to trigger ideas in the writing process.
POW!
Cost-$2.99
Strip Designer
app to create comic strips using pictures from camera roll. Captures pictures and sequences. You can add symbols and balloons with text. You can make a comic journal for many subject areas. Good for visual learners and relunctant writers. Good app to instill creativity and imagination. Sequencing skills.
Cost-$3.99For emergenr writers who do not know where to start writing a story. You do need to be able to read in order to use this app. 14 sections with questions to trigger ideas for a story with various story elements like plot, characters, setting, ect. Good for writers block. Reminders for mechanics. Can also take notes.
Storycubes
Cost-$1.99
Easy to use app. Put pictures together in sequence to make up a story. You can e-mail the finished product. Decks of pictures to sequence. Helps with triggering ideas and sequencing a story.
Very cute app kids will enjoy. You pick a "Stanley" character, put him in a picture from your camera roll and make up a story. Good for sequencing, language development, triggering of ideas. Fun and engaging for students. Can e-mail finished product.
StoryBuilder
Cost-$3.99
Records your voice based on a picture. Sequencing. Triggers ideas. E-mail your story with the voice recording.
ABC
For lower level mechanical skills. A tracing app. with upper and lower case letters. Good to develop alphabet, fine motor skills, eye to hand coordination.
WritePad
Cost-$3.99
A unique app for handwriting recognition. You write on your i-pad or i-pod touch and it translates it into text. Good for students with problems with mechanics of writing and spellin difficulties. Increases speedof input.
Speak It
Cost-$1.99
A basic text to speech app. Easy to use. You type in te text and it reads it back to you. Good for editing.
Voice Memo
Cost-$0.99
For students with problems with mechanical skills (ex holding a pencil) or fine motor skills. You do a voice recording and it saves it. Good for students with really good ideas but written output is difficult. Can e-mail the recording. Easy to use.
DocToGo
Cost-9.99
Pricey app but you get word processor, Excel and Power Point on your i-pod. Use it as your computer. Send document via e-mail. 3 templates for Power Point slides.
Tiki Notes
Cost-Free
A good word prediction app. Has an alternate keyboard for those who find it too small. E-mail text. Supports spelling. Copy and paste document. For upper level mechanics issues.
Dragon
Cost-Free
Good app for students who have all the ideas and excellent verbal expression, but have difficulties putting it on paper. A voice to text app. You must have Wifi in order to send the voice to a server. Must have the skills to articulate, plan and oraganixe ideas. Firewall must be opened to use this app. Easy to use. Can do editing, grammar. ect, E-mail text.
Pictello
Cost-$14.99
A words to picture app with option of voice recording. An e-journal using pictures from camera roll. Good for story development, sequencing of ideas. Text to speech to create a read-aloud book. Can type in story of voice record. Can send e-journal via e-mail. Good for any sequencing type activity or for use in social stories.
Reel Director
Cost-$1.99
Captures video and creates small films. Can include voice overs, text, editing feature. Can be exported.
Cost-Free
Simple Mind
Cost-$6.99
A mindmapping app for the i-Pod and i-Pad. You can drag and drop bubbles and lines. Bubbles can be color coordinated and lines can have various designs. Search topics for ideas. Scroll, zoom or rotate page. Final product can be e-mailed or saved in camera roll.
Idea Sketch
Cost-Free
Cost-$4.99Another mindmapping app to use to organize ideas or sequencing. What is unique about this one is you can add pictures from your camera/web or draw inside the bubbles.. You can create vision boards for personal use or to visualize a project. Can re-size the bubbles. Drag accross and it automatically creates another "popplet". Touch the screen to create a stand-alone bubble. All the connecting is made on the screen. Bright colors. Good for students who have the ideas and toughts, but have difficulty organizing them. Can save you rpopplets. Can zoom in and out.
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5huwYuojjok" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Create your own cartoons with this app. Hundreds of characters and props to choose from for those who need prompts. Good for sequencing events. Free version lets you do two stories with ten drawings. Many options to show movement of the characters or direction. Can add pictures that can be moved around, re-sized. Can add arrows. For background, can use a picture from your camera roll. Good for sequencing of events, show cause and effect, for relunctant writers. Can add text. Must be literate.
Cost-$2.99
For emergent writers, abc Phonics introduces letter-sound relationship. As they learn the sounds, they follow the arrows to trace the letter. The app also does letter combinations such as ch and sh. You can shut off the letter guiding arrows and the app will judge the accuracy. Bright colors, interactive. Not a great app if a student does not have good fine motor skills. Enhances eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills, letter-sound association,
You-Tube has a demo of the app.
http://youtu.be/mMoDlhYPlMw
iwrite words
Cost-$2.99 (There is a lite version.)
Award winning app for hand-writing letters. YouTube has a demo.
http://youtu.be/8ZTkPtAyqOY
iThought
Cost-7.99
A graphic organizer app to help students organize their thoughts. Similar to Inspiration with concept maps, bubbles and links to the bubbles. easy to navigate. Can export to a pdf file. For lower level content skills.
Instant Poetry
Cost-$1.99
Similar to the once popular magnetic fridge magnets to creat poetry, it comes in an i-pod app. Drag and drop words to create poems. Can import a background form i-pod pictures. Students must be literate to us ethis app. Can e-mail the document. Good to trigger ideas in the writing process.
POW!Cost-$2.99
Strip Designer
app to create comic strips using pictures from camera roll. Captures pictures and sequences. You can add symbols and balloons with text. You can make a comic journal for many subject areas. Good for visual learners and relunctant writers. Good app to instill creativity and imagination. Sequencing skills.
Writing Tool Kit
Cost-$3.99Storyteller
Cost-$1.99
Good app to trigger ideas. You can pick a sceneario using pictures from your camera roll. Easy to use with thousands of ideas, plots, ect,Storycubes
Cost-$1.99
Easy to use app. Put pictures together in sequence to make up a story. You can e-mail the finished product. Decks of pictures to sequence. Helps with triggering ideas and sequencing a story.Language Builder
Cost-$3.99
You choose a picture from your camera roll and record your voice to create a story. Picture-based story telling. You can e-mail the recording. Can help with sequencing, imrpove expressive and receptive language.
Good to get ideas going. Flat Stanley
Cost-$1.99
Very cute app kids will enjoy. You pick a "Stanley" character, put him in a picture from your camera roll and make up a story. Good for sequencing, language development, triggering of ideas. Fun and engaging for students. Can e-mail finished product.StoryBuilder
Cost-$3.99
Records your voice based on a picture. Sequencing. Triggers ideas. E-mail your story with the voice recording.
ABC
For lower level mechanical skills. A tracing app. with upper and lower case letters. Good to develop alphabet, fine motor skills, eye to hand coordination.
WritePad
Cost-$3.99
A unique app for handwriting recognition. You write on your i-pad or i-pod touch and it translates it into text. Good for students with problems with mechanics of writing and spellin difficulties. Increases speedof input. Can store files in folders and e-mail document. Exports to a pdf file.
Speak It
Cost-$1.99
A basic text to speech app. Easy to use. You type in te text and it reads it back to you. Good for editing.
Voice Memo
Cost-$0.99
For students with problems with mechanical skills (ex holding a pencil) or fine motor skills. You do a voice recording and it saves it. Good for students with really good ideas but written output is difficult. Can e-mail the recording. Easy to use.
DocToGo
Cost-9.99
Pricey app but you get word processor, Excel and Power Point on your i-pod. Use it as your computer. Send document via e-mail. 3 templates for Power Point slides.
Tiki NotesCost-Free
A good word prediction app. Has an alternate keyboard for those who find it too small. E-mail text. Supports spelling. Copy and paste document. For upper level mechanics issues.
Dragon
Cost-Free
Good app for students who have all the ideas and excellent verbal expression, but have difficulties putting it on paper. A voice to text app. You must have Wifi in order to send the voice to a server. Must have the skills to articulate, plan and oraganixe ideas. Firewall must be opened to use this app. Easy to use. Can do editing, grammar. ect, E-mail text.
Pictello
Cost-$14.99
A words to picture app with option of voice recording. An e-journal using pictures from camera roll. Good for story development, sequencing of ideas. Text to speech to create a read-aloud book. Can type in story of voice record. Can send e-journal via e-mail. Good for any sequencing type activity or for use in social stories.
Reel Director
Cost-$1.99
Captures video and creates small films. Can include voice overs, text, editing feature. Can be exported. Evernote
Cost-Free
Has many of the features other apps have all in one app. It can do voice to text writing. Purpose is to save any notes via text or voice recording. Can add pictures with text and voice overs. Good for students who have ideas but problems putting it into text. Or students who have ideas at home or on the bus and with this app, you can quickly voice record an idea (for a story or project) and save it for later.
Private Journal
Cost-Free
A daily journaling app that allows you to keep track of daily events. Type in text and add pictures, music. Good for students going on a trip to keep track of events with pictures and save it as a writing project. Can also be used for science field trips, band trips, ect.
MindJet
Cost-$6.99
More sophisticated-looking than Inspiration. Can add neat symbols, arrows or rounded lines to connect the bubbles. Can be saved and exported. Good to organize ideas before the writing task or for sequencing of events. Works with MindManager program.
Letter Tracer
Cost-$0.99
For emergent writers to practice letter writing. Trace the letters, then write them without the guide. Voice over is a new feature. Can change pen size, voice, volume, upper or lower case and numbers.
The Brainstormer
Cost-$1.99
This app allows you to develop story with prompts. Good for writers block. Must be literate. Very visual and engaging. It had three spinning wheels with plot, theme, and subject/location. By spinning the wheels you can develop story ideas or let the wheels take you where they may. Good for creative promtps for writing.
Whack Pack
Cost-$1.99
An app for the more advanced writer who has a serious case of writers block. This app has won many awards for creativity and innovation. There are 64 illustrated creative strategies to help writers develop ideas. Four themes. Based on the original Whack Card Deck. The cards that come up will be random that makes it fun. Must be literate. Advanced. Can also be used as a problem solving app. Very unique.
Check out U-Tube demo by the creator of this app.
Mind Mash
Cost-Free
A brainstorming and note taking app for the i-Pad. You can generate ideas by combining text, pictures and and drawings to generate ideas. Great for projects in any subject area. Can add these "bits" onto a sheet and use text, picstures and/or drawings or scribbles. Layout of the sheet is free form.
Mind Node
Cost-$5.99
A mindmapping app similar to Inspiration program. Easy and intuitive application to put ideas down and to organize them. Bubbles are called nodes in this app. You can drag and drop them on the screen whoch makes it interesting and fun. Save and export. Bright and colorful.
Story Kit
Cost-FreeCreate your own stories by either drawing on the screen or using a picture from the camera roll. Can add voice recording or sounds to the story. App uses four public domain children's stories and you can re-order them, add text or voice recording.
Simple Mind
Cost-$6.99
A mindmapping app for the i-Pod and i-Pad. You can drag and drop bubbles and lines. Bubbles can be color coordinated and lines can have various designs. Search topics for ideas. Scroll, zoom or rotate page. Final product can be e-mailed or saved in camera roll.
Idea Sketch
Cost-Free
Another mindmapping app that lets you convert your map to a text outline similar to Inspiration program. Good for brainstorming ideas and then havinf an outline already made into text. Facilitates the writing process.Maps can be saved. Easy to use. Enter the text and move the shapes around.
Popplet
Cost-$4.99Another mindmapping app to use to organize ideas or sequencing. What is unique about this one is you can add pictures from your camera/web or draw inside the bubbles.. You can create vision boards for personal use or to visualize a project. Can re-size the bubbles. Drag accross and it automatically creates another "popplet". Touch the screen to create a stand-alone bubble. All the connecting is made on the screen. Bright colors. Good for students who have the ideas and toughts, but have difficulty organizing them. Can save you rpopplets. Can zoom in and out. You can watch demo on U-Tube.
Example of a "popplet".
Simple Mind
Cost-$6.99
Not as good as Popplet but a simple mindmapping app to organize thoughts and ideas. Good for students who never tried a app grpahic organizer. You can color code the bubbles. Type in the text in the bubbles. Tap to make a connection between the bubbles. Check out demo on u-tube.
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5huwYuojjok" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
StoryBoard
Cost-Free
Create your own cartoons with this app. Hundreds of characters and props to choose from for those who need prompts. Good for sequencing events. Free version lets you do two stories with ten drawings. Many options to show movement of the characters or direction. Can add pictures that can be moved around, re-sized. Can add arrows. For background, can use a picture from your camera roll. Good for sequencing of events, show cause and effect, for relunctant writers. Can add text. Must be literate.
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