Thursday, February 14, 2019

Happy Birthday!

Here at post 731, and next week is the 9 year Blogobirthday of SpeechTechie. Thanks for continuing to read!

At a recent conference, I presented how play-based apps can be contexts for all kinds of language targets within an engaging context (e.g. vocabulary, microstructure aspects of verbs, noun phrases, pronouns, causals, social langauge).

Additionally, we consider how a particular app or apps from a developer hits upon a particular play stage, moving from dramatic to removed-event sociodramatic play, thus targeting expanded semantic knowledge and cognition particularly for early learners.

Check out Bamba Birthday Cake and other apps from Bamba- at times simulating events a child would have experienced and in others moving into sociodramatic play (e.g. Bamba Post Office). This app is fre,e but you are better off paying (remember the F- Fair Pricing) a dollar or so in tokens on the home screen to offer students unlimited choices. I generally eschew in-app purchases and would prefer a full version were offered, as is the case with many other apps by this developer. However, this app fits the theme (we miss you, Toca Birthday Party) and this does a nice job with the context of making a cake, picking the birthday character and friend, and allowing for a "party," then taking a "photo!" At each step, descriptors can be used along with silly/absurd choices.



Saturday, February 2, 2019

Great Visual Resources from North Star Paths

Via Instagram recently I discovered the social-media-friendly resources from North Star Paths. Kristin Wiens and Paul Totzke have been creating and sharing great visuals and stop-motion animations about helpful topics in learning and self-regulation. I recently used this awesome visual support about visual supports in a presentation:


Note that visually cued instruction is an evidence based practice highlighted in this review by UNC Chapel Hill.

Their Free Downloads page contains many more- some of them would be helpful for professional development and consultation and others for direct use with students.

Also check out their Long Story Shortz page, particularly this stop-motion social narrative (also an EBP technique highlighted in the above document) about fidgets.


 
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