Clicker 6 - The ipad route

How many of you have used and fallen in love with a Clicker product somewhere along the line? I first started using the software back in the days of Clicker 3 and it has gone from strength to strength since then with each new release.

Image from  http://www.cricksoft.com/ 

Although this week after a Clicker 6 update I found myself lost in despair at the lack of a Clicker app for the ipad/tablet generation. I searched and searched but could not find so much as a whisper of an app release. Then I found it, cold hard confirmation from Crick software themselves. An ipad app would require a complete rewrite of the software due to the differing logistics of the operating system. So after quick sulk, I busied myself with some exciting laminating!

Image from  http://doceri.com/ 

Also this week I discovered a trial app and software package that promised to transform teaching methods, by unleashing the teacher from the chains restricting him to the front of the classroom, where he regularly  blocks the view of the whiteboard and performs the Latin head-bob dance to avoid the projector. Doceri is currently available as a free download for both your ipad and your computer (laptop or desktop) and provides the power to control the whiteboard and access your computer from the ipad! But why would you want to do that? It has long been known that an effective teacher interacts with his class not his whiteboard, but how can you effectively do that stood at the front of the room? How can you see what all of your pupils are doing? Bring in the ipad and you are free to wander around, view pupils work, keep them on task, motivate them and keep them on their toes. You can hand over control to your pupils with ease, simply hand them the ipad.

Image from  http://doceri.com/

Doceri allows you to create animation, slideshows, interact with webpages and access all other tools installed on your computer. You can even take a photo with your ipad which will instantly appear on the whiteboard screen, or record lesson explanations to replay 1:1.

Image from  http://doceri.com/

It has been an exciting week and just when I thought it had finished, I put 2 and 2 together in an epiphany of technological mathematics. Would Doceri let me access Clicker through the ipad!? My theory was correct, and much more than that, I believe the use of Doceri and the ipad with Clicker actually enhances the whole experience. Those that are familar with Clicker will know that you can create drawing opportunities within the grids, where children are asked to draw a picture of themselves for example. A window similar to that in Microsoft Paint pops up, now many will know, creating a life like image in these drawing programs is no easy task when faced with a mouse or tracker pad for control. Cue ipad!! Used with a stylus the ipad offers more accurate and controlled mark-making, leading to a more enjoyable and less frustrating experience for the child.

The ipad again comes out on top when interacting with word grids, allowing much faster selection of words, eliminating the robot like sound that can be produced when using a mouse. This smoother, more life like speech pattern can only lead to a stronger comprehension of,  and association to the language used. Of course learning computer skills are mandatory in todays world so continue to encourage typing and mouse control but mix it up with some ipad interface for a really interactive experience.

Download the Doceri app and desktop client here... But I warn you, don't do it on your weekend off or you'll never get the washing done!

Teaching Letter Formation

I've further embraced the ipad generative landslide and searched high and low for, what I consider to be the best apps designed to encourage correct letter formation.

Fun and games has got to be the way to encourage children to become writers, develop a passion for writing and foster literal skills. Add a stylus to your ipad for further possibilities

Coming out on top has to be Letter Formation Phonics... It's fun, easy and highly visual. It displays the correct formation whilst allowing extra features such as snap shots and word creators. The computer generated voice may tire adults eventually but children seem to engage well with the futuristic qualities, and it's great for encouraging blending.

Touch and Write is now available for free! It has a handy word bank which makes it ideal for learning to form names, or even weekly spellings. You can change your writing tool and paper type, creating a visual feast for visually stimulated children. The only downside is the lack of British voice... It's no biggy though, turn off the sound and provide your own praise!

Alphabet Tracer not only provides the option of British voice but also provides the British Sign Language finger spelling. It's a little bland in comparison to the above apps but useful all the same.

Motor skills development for iPad users

As promised here is my first educational iPad recommendation. 

Dexteria motor development

  Dexteria by BinaryLabs features specific activities developed to help promote the development of fine motor skills. The iPad has a wonderfully sensitive touch screen, making it highly usable. 

Through the use of engaging activities children will be unconsciously fine-tuning their hand-eye coordination, fine-motor skills and, when engaged in conversation about the task, language skills as well. 

Sample activity for fine motor skill development

Activities include finger isolation, for either hand, stoke development and finger control. The app also records progress and time spent practicing. Even very young children will enjoy these activities, feeling much more like a game then work, you shouldn't have any trouble getting youngsters engaged with the task.

Stroke development and letter formation

The app is available on both the iPad and iPhone. Click here to visit the app website and download.

Modern posting

Look out world I've given in to technology... I am now the proud owner of an iPad! Proud and slightly confused that is.... Never the less over the next few weeks I will undoubtedly be delving deeper into the technological abyss to see what educational must haves I can dig up for this little beaut....

So far I've stumbled across some great baby pacifiers, panic searching the apps forum for something to keep a wriggly Ten month old still whilst mummy conducted operation nappy change. I have also found some great tools to help with my university assignments and organisation so I'm sure there are some great apps for the age range in between.

Stay tuned ipadders!

(I wrote this post using my iPad )

Team Teach

For the last two days I have attended a Team Teach training seminar, and although a lot of what was taught comes as nature to me, I met people and heard stories that really opened my eyes.

Team Teach are responsible for providing schools and services with positive handling techniques and training but the emphasis of the training is on developing your deescalation skills, minimising the risk of physical intervention being required and helping to build consistent and positive relationships between staff and pupil.

Dynamic situations with volatile pupils could, at least some of the time, be avoided if all staff were provided with deescalation training as a matter of course. The behaviour of some staff in schools is, in itself, a catalyst to further poor behaviour or crisis and it' the children and young people we work with who suffer the consequence of poor behaviour management by adults.

Visit the Team Teach website here for further information and training opportunities.

Interactive whiteboard whizz

Up, up and away! Today the children in my class LOVED playing on these space games I discovered. They are so versatile and can be used with the mouse or (in our case) the "White Board Pen" (said with an air of authority!) They were easily accessible to every child in the class and encouraged working in teams or pairs, which opened up endless opportunity for discussions about size, colour, and direction.

Space Hunt

Click here to play the Space hunt game. The aim of the game is to navigate your space craft around a series of space rocks, collecting the fuel on your way!

Alien Teleport

We also tried out an alien abduction game, we had to order the aliens in the pattern they arrived, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, giving them the appropriate rosette. The children really loved this one and worked brilliantly in pairs, discussing and debating about the order of arrival! Click here to play Alien Teleport.

It just so happens that these games fitted in perfectly with our space topic! See the printable resources section for more space themed classroom freebies!

Free printables

Are you looking for more free, printable activities and goodies? Worksheets, charts and certificates are all available in the Top 10 Free Downloads on Teachers pay Teachers. It is a lovely site with lots of resources designed by teachers and teaching assistants.

I really like the Gingerbread series. It's $8.50 and contains 75 pages of wonderful activities! Click here to view.

Don't forget Special Education Matters free, printable and versatile resources section is updated regularly with FREE ideas to implement in your classroom.

Letters and Sounds

The Letters and Sounds website contains hundreds of free literacy resources, for both parents and teachers. It is all broken down into understandable phases so parents can easily identify the level at which their child is working.

I love the interactive games available at the end of each phase.

Take a look at their website here.

YPO Special Needs Resources 2011

YPO are intent on improving sustainability and caring for our environment. All their 2011 catalogues are produced on PEFC paper and they have sourced many more green and sustainable products then ever before.

Their reward scheme ensures all the profit made stays in the public purse, there is no minimum order, a loyalty scheme and FREE delivery. Perfect!

Recommended products:

CVC magnetic word strips

£14.95

Make learning CVC words fun, tactile and visual. This magnetic resource helps develop sound identification and blending skills.

Catalogue No. 84960x

Letter formation white board (Pack of 5)

£6.99 

Write on/wipe off letter formation guides. Brilliant for developing the fine motor skills necessary for handwriting. 

Catalogue No. 532991

Take a look at the YPO online catalogue by clicking this link. 

Special Education Matters (SEM)

I could go on for hours and hours about why I want to work in Special Education.... Instead I thought I would provide a copy my of university application supporting statement.

What has motivated me enough to apply for this foundation degree? What has inspired me to reach further and achieve more? The answer to both those questions is simple, a ten year old child. A child with whom I have been working closely with, 1:1 in fact, for the last year. A child who has challenged me, annoyed me, threatened me and thanked me. A child who has made me realise that I am good at what I do, I enjoy what I do and more importantly, I am proud of what we, together, have achieved this year.

Years ago I decided I wanted to work with children, become a teacher perhaps I thought, working with the little ones in Reception and Key Stage 1. Their so innocent aren't they? So fun to be around. But circumstances being what they were at the time, this goal was not achievable. I could however gain some experience and make certain this was the route I wanted to take in the mean time. So I set about securing myself a place volunteering at one of my local schools, in a year 2 class. I relished the opportunity and enjoyed helping out on my days off, every week. I was soon moved up to a year 5 class who were crying out for help. Here I met a young boy with Aspergers syndrome struggling to make his way through school life. One day, he was sat at his desk, staring blankly out the window, not listening to the teacher and flapping his pencil case in his face. Without thinking I walked over, removed his pencil case from his grip and sat down next to him. He looked at me and smiled, then looked at his class teacher and listened to the lesson being explained. There I stayed, for the next five months, until he moved up to year 6 in September. The improvements in this child's work were dramatic. Via a little encouragement he had been able to achieve at a much higher level then he was previously and the satisfaction for myself was immense!

A few weeks after that first encounter I started looking for courses available to me which would help me secure paid employment in this sector. I found the NVQ level 2 in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools and completed this whilst volunteering. Nearing completion of the NVQ I set about hunting for jobs and applied for a position at a nearby infant and junior school. The position was for a 1:1 teaching assistant to work with year 5 child with severe behavioural difficulties. Ten minutes after my interview, as I was walking through my front door, my phone rang. I had been successful.

I started my new job two days later and introduced myself to a stroppy child, with a face like thunder and an attitude to match. I spent hours observing this boy, working out why he behaved the way he did and how to help him. There were times at the beginning when I thought I had taken on to much. How could I help him? Who was I to tell him how he should control his anger? But then we would have a day where he would choose to work with me, pass me a pen, ask me to play a game, and I would see a side to him that was hidden away from view. We worked together to iron out the creases and develop the skills he needed to achieve his targets and socialise with peers. This young man now no longer requires the constant supervision that that same boy needed back when he started at the school. He has a strong group of friends and is looking forward to starting senior school in September, with his newly developed social skills and academic achievements, I’m sure he will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed working with him.