Tablets: part of the SEN toolkit? Abi James Head of Product Innovation iansyst 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 & AAC iOS Apps: Proloquo2Go Predicatable Grid Player Also… -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, Iansyst Ltd Fen House Fen Road Cambridge CB4 1UN Tel: