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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,946
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,946 |
We haven't done this for a while and technology is changing so fast, that I thought I'd post to make sure we are all up on what's working out there. Especially those of you who have recently gotten ipads up and running! If we can keep a running review of products we use, I know I'd find it valuable.
For our middle schooler dysgraphic, we use a windows laptop. Word for word processing, one note for compiling notes from various sources for studying, and for taking notes in class. Efofex for math. Paperport for scanning and typing on worksheets.
WORD is word, no need for a review.
ONENOTE: is OK but not ideal. It has the option to turn on the microphone while taking notes so you can listen back to what was said at the time you are typing notes. On a touch screen, which we don't have, you are supposed to be able to write into one note too. It's great for compiling notes and pictures into form that a kid can use for studying. What DS finds difficult is the filing system. It's nice that it saves everything without saving, but it's hard to do more than place things in folders for organization. A second issue is printing. It's easy to accidentally print out the whole one note folder rather than just the one document, and formatting is unpredictable when printed.
EFOFEX. DS primarily uses the Efofex equation. It is now in Beta for Mac. The other three are already on Mac. With the upgrades, DS has encountered annoying glitches. They are usually fixed eventually, but it has made for frustration. One issue that is not resolved is that if you don't use it imbedded in Word-- which DS prefers--- it will only print out a limited number of lines. The rest of the document just doesn't exist. So, for example, he does his math test, saves it in PDF on a flash drive, then gives it to his teacher to grade. Teacher sees only 2/3rd of the test. DS has to spend a bit of time guessing how much to put in different documents, usually copying and pasting through one note. Which is a problem with limited time on test days. When imbedded in Word, DS finds formatting problems that he has to go back and undo, and there's a lot of clicking to start writing in the box it gives you. DS is slow to change, so he still prefers efofex freestanding.
He used efofex for prealgebra and algebra, but much less so in geometry, finding that he would need to redraw his teacher's pictures. He uses PAPERPORT instead. You have to scan the document in, then open it, then click where you want to type and start typing. You can also save it as a PDF and type on it that way. Paperport has worked pretty well for DS for the past 5 years or so. We got it as part of the printer/scanner.
DS has an ipad in school and I'm curious what people use with the ipad.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,363
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Joined: Sep 2011
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mon - thanks so much for posting this - it's a great idea!
I don't have time to list ds' apps at the moment - busy day, and his iPad is at school with him. I'll come back later and fill in. I'm very interested in seeing what other people are using!
polarbear
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 281
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 281 |
Hi this is great! Also wondering if people can add in what they used when their kiddos started school.. Like K and 1st. Even if you are not using them anymore since your kids are older. Thanks!
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Joined: Mar 2008
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,946 |
BUMP??? Any ideas? Ipad apps? Computer programs?
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,157
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Joined: May 2013
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I wish I knew. We just bought a cheap kids' tablet for DS but it would be android apps. I haven't really looked into it yet. Something to teach him how to properly form letters would be great, since he starts most of them from the bottom or the wrong side.
I want to start teaching him how to type if anyone has recommendations. He is 6 1/2.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Something to teach him how to properly form letters would be great, since he starts most of them from the bottom or the wrong side. We LOVE Letter School for the iPad-- maybe it's available in Android too. I want to start teaching him how to type if anyone has recommendations. He is 6 1/2. We used BBC Dance Mat, but transitioned to typingweb.com, which is less distracting.
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,157
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,157 |
Thanks! I will check those out.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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http://www.ncld.org/students-disabi...dents-ld-dysgraphia-writing-difficultiesThis is a website that lists a bunch of apps, though I don't know anything about how good they are or how much they cost. Most of us know Dragon dictate--we never used it ourselves. If anyone has used any, please give us your review! The 99 cent grammar game looks fun. I would have loved to preposition builder, sentence builder, and grammar game for my DS when he was younger.
Last edited by master of none; 12/27/13 06:22 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 154
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Posts: 154 |
Tools4Students is a great app to facilitate the writing process for dysgraphic kids. It has lots of templates for writing, including a graphic writing organizer, a template for a "compare and contrast" paper, a document analysis template, a character study template etc. DS finds just getting started and organizing his ideas to be slow and very painful. The visual templates ease the pain some.
iThoughts is a mind mapping program for outlining as well that is helpful for spatial thinkers.
The Type on PDF app is also great for dysgraphic kids. You can turn anything into a pdf by taking a picture of it with the iPad in a number of apps (DS uses My Scans) and then pull it up in Type on PDF and types right on it-great for worksheets and the like.
Quizlet is a godsend to replace the torture of flashcards for dysgraphics. It is an app and also a website. Your DC will have to create a log in and type the cards. The site or app can then test you on the fronts and backs (standard) but also generate multiple choice, matching and fill in the blank tests as well. It also has a large number of public sets of flashcards so your child can search his or her book and chapter and likely find a set of cards already created. Classmates can also collaborate with each other and share sets. DS loves to race the quiz clock and actually studies on Quizlet with a minimum of struggle.
We are an Apple family so I am happy to hear that Efofex equation is in beta for the Mac. DS needs it!
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laurel
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laurel
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- Letter School: as DeeDee said, this is a great app for learning to form letters properly!
- Cursive Touch and Write: very fun cursive app. You can choose to write with syrup, pudding, shaving cream, etc., so there are different colors and sounds as you write. You learn to write individual letters (uppercase and lowercase) and also words.
- DragonBox: incredible algebra math game. Beautiful, stunning, a favorite. Starting level is called DragonBox5+ and the more advanced level is 12+. Little kids can learn this, and it gets complex. And it's nice that you can do math without the dreaded pencil in your hand.
These are all apps we use on the iPad, not sure about android.
Can't wait to hear others' suggestions!
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