Apps for Early Learning

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com

The iPad is a great tool to use with students who are visually impaired, particularly with students who visually attend better when materials are paired with light, movement and/or sound.
ABA Problem Solving app
Free. The ABA- Problem Solving - What does not belong? app is by Innovative Mobile Apps. Students must identify the object that does not belong from a selection of four based on color or classification.
 Bitsboard app
Free. by Grasshopper Apps The Bitsboard app is a great app that can easily be customized to your current unit/topic. The huge drawback is that the font size and picture size can not be adjusted. Flashcards and photo touch will be accessible to students with low vision, but some of the photos in other activities will be too small to discriminate.
Memory app
$.99 Memory by Clement Marty game difficulty can be adjusted from 2 cards up in the free mode. The free version features animals. Additional themes cost $.99.
 Photo Touch ABC app
Free. The Photo Touch ABC app encourages the user to touch the requested letter from a field of 3. The activity can be customized with different letters paired with pictures. To minimize visual clutter, select the ABC letters.
Play Lab app
Free with Paid upgrade. Play Lab This is a fun app where students can interact with shapes, colors and numbers.
 Preschool Games - Farm Animals app
Free. This Preschool Games - Farm Animals app
(Photo Touch) allows you to add your family photos to the list of farm animals and make a game of choosing the correct photo. From groups of 2 up to 10 photos on one screen.
See Touch Learn app
Free. The See Touch Learn app by Brain Parade is a great picture card learning system that can be customized to pair with the current classroom unit. Students are presented with photo pictures. The must select the requested picture or word. The computer generated voice is the only negative aspect of this app.
 See Touch & Say app
Free or paid version. The See Touch and Say app by Travco Software LLC is designed to help children learn about people and objects in their world. By combining the picture and name of an item or person with the parent or teacher recording of what that item is, kids can learn easily and in a fun experience.
Sparkabilities app
$2.99. Sparkabilities.
Encourages directed touch with graphic “targets.”  Two modes: interactive flash cards or continuous play of 8 videos.

ECC Instruction

Teaching the ECC
Thematic units
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development Functional Skills
Alternative Communication Emergent Literacy Braille Slate & Stylus
Tactile Graphics Nemeth Braille Code
Access Classes Cranmer Abacus Organization & Study Skills Time Management Listening Skills Instruction 
VI Assistive Technology
Social Skills
Self Determination
Sensory Efficiency
Independent Living
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure
Career & Vocational

Compensatory Skills

Concept Development
  • Demonstrates awareness of objects
  • Demonstrate understanding of object permanence
  • Plays with toys – takes adv. of characteristics
  • Open container to locate noisemaker
  • Demonstrate interest in toys
  • Object identification
  • Match/Classify objects by shapes
  • Match/Classify objects by size
  • Time awareness and concepts
  • Spatial awareness
  • Quantity Concepts
Alternative Communication
  • Body responses & gestures for communication
  • Choice Board (object/tactile/picture)
  • Communication system (calendar boxes)
  • Sign language/tactile sign (deafblind)
Emergent Literacy
  • Explore pictures/objects from story
  • Explore & turn pages
  • Proper care of books
  • Awareness of environmental print/braille
  • Pretend to read/write print/braille
Access Print
  • Use low vision tools to access near print
  • Use low vision tools to access distance print
  • Use technology to access digital print
  • Use screen sharing to access print at distance
  • Access variety of print formats
  • Identify print size needed
Pre-Braille
  • Tactile discrimination of symbols
  • Identify spatial position of dots in braille cell
  • Identify the dot number in a braille cell
  • Track a line of dots from left to right
  • Track a row of dots
  • Identify beginning/end/breaks on a braille line
  • Tactually explore a braille page
  • Track braille sentences when read aloud by adult
  • Orients braille book correctly
  • Turn pages in a braille book one at a time
  • Locates the first braille line on a page
  • Locate the page number in a braille book
  • Use two hands to track braille
  • Use pointer finger as lead finger
  • Use pinky finger to detect the end of a line
  • Use light touch
  • Use two hands separately to track and return
  • Locate name in braille
  • Identify same/different braille shape
  • Identify the braille alphabet
  • Identify the literary braille numerals 0-10
Braille Code
  • Read/write the alphabet
  • Read/write whole-word alphabet contractions
  • Read/write whole and part word contractions
  • Read/write short form words
  • Read/write lower signs
  • Read/write part word signs
  • Read/write whole word signs
  • Read/write initial letter signs
  • Read/write final letter signs
  • Read and produce literary numbers
  • Read and produce braille indicators
  • Read and produce symbols and punctuation
  • Braille Reading Fluency
  • Read back personal writing and edit
  • Access a variety test & worksheet formats
  • Apply rules for contractions, punctuation, comp.
  • Use alternate braille codes (ex. Language, music, etc)
Braille Formatting
  • Locate beginnings of paragraphs
  • Writes paragraphs, indenting two spaces
  • Read/write lists
  • Locates and read transcriber’s notes, picture captions
  • Locates headings/subheadings in a text
  • Reads/write columned materials and tables
  • Read/write format for poetry and plays
  • Write outlines in correct (literary/textbook) format
  • Locate preliminary pages, special symbols page
  • Use table of contents, glossary and index
  • Locate/read words and definitions in dictionary
  • Use a multi-volume textbook
Braillewriter
  • Locate/name parts on a braillewriter
  • Make random braille dots
  • Insert/remove paper from braillewriter
  • Operate line advance/carriage return
  • Operate backspace
  • Use correct fingers on keys
  • Produce uniform dots using correct finger strength
  • Erase errors with a braille eraser
  • Use spacebar appropriately
  • Set margin stops on braille writer
  • Change margin for various format needs (ex. column)
  • Spatially arrange math problems
  • Proofread writing and make corrections
Slate & Stylus
  • Identify the dot numbers in cell on a slate
  • Load paper in the slate
  • Create legible, uniform dots
  • Skip space on a slate
  • Create letters, words, and numbers
  • Use slate & stylus to complete tasks
  • Proofread writing and make corrections
Tactile Graphics
  • Explore Tactile graphics
  • Locate/identify title, key and symbol
  • Identify meaning of various textures on globe/map
  • Interpret graphical information (e.g. graphs & charts)
nemeth code
  • Read/write numerals in Nemeth Code
  • Read/write signs of operation (+, -, x, /)
  • Read/write linear mathematical equations
  • Read/write horizontal mathematical equations
  • Read/write symbols of comparison (<,>, =)
  • Read/write symbols money using signs: $, ¢, .)
  • Read/write fractions
  • Read/write mixed numerals
  • Read/write temperatures using sign for degrees
  • Read/write percent
  • Read/write grouping symbols ( , ) , [ , ] , { , }
  • Read/write Nemeth punctuation (, -, : )
  • Read/write modifier signs for lines, arrows, rays, bars
  • Read/write shape indicator (circle, square, etc.)
  • Read/write signs/format for parallel & perpendicular
  • Read/write signs for angles
  • Read/write adv. symbols of comparison (i.e. ≠, = )
  • Read/write square roots
  • Read/write subscripts/superscripts
  • Read/write algebraic expressions
  • Read/write chemical equations
  • Read/write braille clock/watch
  • Write time
  • Measure to the nearest centimeter, ½”
  • Construct/draw measure geometric figures & label
  • Use braille/tactual tools to measure
  • Display data on tactual graph
  • Interpret data in various tables and graphs
  • Read/write standard/metric measurements
  • Read/write advanced Nemeth code symbols
  • Apply rules to complete grade level problems
Access Classes
  • Use of charts, graphs, maps
  • Measurement tools
  • Handwriting (legibility)
  • Develop a consistent signature
  • Use signature writing guide
  • Use of needed accommodations
  • Interpretation of Tactile graphics
Abacus
  • Identify all parts of the abacus
  • Demonstrate understanding of set, clear and count
  • Set numbers in the ones column
  • Set numbers in the tens column
  • Set and read whole numbers according to place value
  • Demonstrate understanding of 0/9 exchange
  • Add/subtract 0-4 on the abacus
  • Add/subtract numbers 0-19 on abacus
  • add/subtract 1-4 digit # to/from a 2-5 digit #
  • Add 1-4 digit # to a 2-5-digit numeral on abacus
  • Set and read decimal numbers to place values
  • Subtract decimals using abacus
  • Add decimals using abacus
  • Multiply decimals on abacus
  • Set/read mixed fractions using 1 or 2 abacus
  • Set/read complex fractions using 1 or 2 abacus
  • Add/subtract simple fractions using 1 or 2 abacus
  • Add/subtract mixed/complex fractions using 1 or 2
  • Multiply/divide [simple; mixed; complex] fractions
  • Set and read multiplier and multiplicand
  • Multiply/divide 1-3 digit #s to 2-5 digit #s
  • Compute ratios on the abacus
  • Compute percent on the abacus
Organization
  • Put items away where they belong
  • Organize Items in backpack/desk
  • Independently store and retrieve personal items
  • Label or mark personal care items
  • Trial a variety of labeling & filing materials
  • Trial a variety of office supplies
  • Maintain personal address/phone directory
  • Organize information & documents
Study Skills
  • Take and read back notes
  • Search and scan written materials
  • Use reference materials
  • Research Skills
  • Demonstrate map, chart, graph reading skills
  • Use scanning techniques in primary reading medium
  • Use library on level commensurate with peers
  • Take notes and access them
  • Ident. Key words, dates, def. in text and in lectures
  • Use of live reader
Time Management
  • Ready on time
  • Is prepared as activities begin
  • Follow daily schedule
  • Create daily to do list
  • Access recreational materials in unstructured time
  • Demo. ability to use a watch/clock
  • Keep schedule of activities for day, week, month
Listening Skills
  • Respond to oral instructions
  • Follow along during oral reading
  • Organize oral info. into retrievable medium
  • Repeat words/phrases just heard
  • Identify word missing
  • Follow 1 or multiple step commands
  • Identify likeness or diff. between sounds
  • Discriminate Words of different or similar sounds
  • Discrim. between emotions (angry, happy, sad, etc)
  • Identify dominant sound
  • Follow directions among background noise
  • Identify direction of environmental sounds
  • Repeat sounds in sequential order
  • Repeat 1-4+ letters/words/#s in order
  • Remember and repeat familiar phrases or rhymes
  • Repeat and follow 1-3 step verbal commands
  • Recall facts from information given
  • Recall details from a story heard within time intervals
  • Ident. sim./diff between words/sentences/paragraph
  • Attend to speaker and select information required
  • Select items of info which are pertinent and respond
  • Identify what information heard was pertinent