Due to the coronavirus pandemic, remote learning has become the new standard for K–12 education, which poses significant obstacles for special education. Even on a good day, teaching the differentiated subject in a well-equipped classroom can be challenging, but now that the majority of schools are closed or about to close, special education teachers must, in many respects, completely rebuild their teaching methods.
Maintaining children’s progress toward IEP goals and objectives, which are specific to each student, is one of the key concerns for teachers and parents alike. In order to facilitate this learning at home, teachers and parents/caregivers must now collaborate considerably more closely. In some instances, kids are used to having assistants in the classroom in addition to teachers. Caregivers have a lot of duty, but fortunately, some of the current crops of digital tools can be very useful.
I requested suggestions for my favorite digital tools from my special education colleagues via the Education App Talk (E.A.T.) Facebook Group; the list that follows includes some of their suggestions, but it only scratches the surface of what is available. As with any tool, keep in mind that what might be perfect for certain children will only frustrate others. Adults and educators should be ready to invest some time in understanding the applications themselves or how to make adjustments in the settings because customization is essential with any app. Look for video tutorials, lesson plans, and extension exercises among the many apps that include excellent teacher-made content.
APPS THAT ARE FREE OR HAVE A FREE TRIAL
Here are some do my online class apps that will help children to keep learning, especially schools are closed.
My Play Home
With the help of the free app My PlayHome, children can interact, play, and exchange tales with a digital doll family of up to 15 members with different skin tones. These aloud stories encourage students to express themselves more, offer a setting for social and emotional learning, and impart critical early language skills.
SoundingBoard
For kids who can’t speak or have limited speech, SoundingBoard is a free mobile augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) software that can help them communicate. The software includes preloaded boards with symbols and recorded messages to cater to the needs of this specific group. In order to prompt a vocal message, students choose and press images on the board.
LetterSchool
By encouraging kids to tap, touch, and trace vibrant animations, LetterSchool helps them develop their early literacy and math skills. Children learn counting, spelling, letter formation, letter sounds, and other preschool and primary abilities. Additionally, this app—which comes with a free trial—is really good at fostering fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Tales2Go
Students who struggle with reading can benefit from Tales2Go, an audiobook service that provides a free one-month trial and improves listening abilities. This app includes a vast library of tales and books for readers of all ages, and its countless excellent narrators vividly bring tales of all kinds to life.
Epic!
An excellent resource for helping reluctant or struggling readers is the online library Epic! It comprises a selection of both fiction and nonfiction books from renowned publishers and offers access to more than 20,000 high-quality children’s books and instructive movies. Schools can access Epic for free at this time.
Paid APPS
Using these is just like, as you say, “take my online class at home”. These apps are really helpful for children in learning many things at home. Let’s have a detailed look about these excellent paid apps below:
Busy Shapes
Based on Piaget’s studies on cognitive development, the Edoki Academy game Busy Shapes starts with cause-and-effect play before transitioning into a problem-solving and tool-use activity. Through a series of puzzles in a growing playground, the game also assists kids in developing their fine motor abilities.
Busy Shapes is totally contrary to the PS5 and other computer games like “valkyrie Elysium” and others, it has been tested by academic teachers.
Edoki
Additionally, Edoki Academy provides a number of math applications that teach kids Montessori math through the use of various objects that appear on the screen in a step-by-step manner. It also promotes the growth of motor skills.
Math Drills
Students frequently adore Math Drills, a skill-based math drills program where they may compete with one another to improve their speed and accuracy. It has additional options in the settings that allow teachers and students to construct individualized learning environments, track test results, and perform basic math operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Phonics Genius
Through the use of letter sounds, Phonics Genius teaches kids how to recognize, read, and speak words. In addition to the enjoyable games for developing abilities, the app features more than 6,000 words gathered by phonetic groups.
SentenceBuilder
SentenceBuilder is a conversation simulator made to assist elementary-aged kids in learning how to converse with their peers in a range of social situations, which can be particularly difficult for students with special needs. For older pupils, ConversationBuilderTeen is designed to teach children when it is appropriate to introduce oneself, ask questions, and switch the topic of the conversation. This program also discusses sarcasm and how children should react to bullying.
Word Wizard
Kids may practice phonemic awareness and word building with Word Wizard’s spoken alphabet. As the voice repeats any words the child creates—allowing for self-correction—the audio feedback aids in teaching children in a nonthreatening manner. The software includes 184 built-in word lists, including the 1,000 most commonly used sight words, and supports letter recognition, phonological awareness, and spelling in addition to these features. It even features a comprehensive teacher activity guide and carefully monitors the growth of the kids.
My all-time favorite resource is the Anti-Coloring Book App series, which is now available as an app. In this collection of online books, the youngster draws the solution to the question that appears at the bottom of the page. These are open-ended questions that have no right or wrong answers and enhance a child’s capacity for critical thought, creativity, risk-taking, and problem-solving.
Digital MODIFICATIONS
In addition to apps, digital adaptations are essential for online home learning for kids with special needs. Almost all digital devices, including phones, iPads, and computers, can read digital text aloud thanks to text-to-speech (TTS) technology. TTS software can convert a wide variety of text files into audio, as well as the majority of online pages.
iPad/Mac: Settings, Accessibility
Windows—under Ease of Access in the Control Panel
Android: Text to Speech Output under Settings > Accessibility
Chromebook – Accessibility in Settings
Another crucial technology that can be found on most digital devices is speech recognition (dictation), which enables pupils to express themselves simply by speaking without having to worry about typing, spelling, or grammar. Most devices have dictation software in the settings menu; it aids pupils in developing their writing abilities and achieving higher degrees of accomplishment. Remarkably, Apple’s speech recognition technology surpasses that of Windows.
Apart from that, there are most ghostwriters use this technology to save their precious time to invest in their in-depth research. This makes them enable to provide quality and professional ghostwriting services effectively.
Conclusion
Out-of-school learning is extremely difficult, but it is especially difficult for students with special needs who already have difficulties in the classroom. As special needs students attempt to adjust to this new dynamic, be attentive to them and patient with them. Many kids find change to be very upsetting, and it will take them some time to get used to their new schedule. Regression in social and emotional habits is to be expected. At this stage, it’s crucial to use simple techniques like breathing exercises, structuring, and helping kids solve difficulties methodically.
