Class 3: Reading Apps A-Plenty!
- A. Ferguson
- May 17, 2017
- 4 min read
This class got me excited for my return to teaching after being out of the classroom for almost three years! The recurring theme throughout was the importance of digitizing text to make it accessible for all learners! Barbara demonstrated how to use many apps that will read text to the students, create games and make learning interactive and engaging! There was a lot to absorb, but having this forum to list them will make it easy to refer back to what I have learned so I can incorporate the A.T. ideas into my class.
App Attack!
I appreciated being able to try out some of the apps as Barbara demonstrated them so I could get a feel for them, as well. I will list some of them below, starting with ReadIris and ClaroPDF. This was my favourite session of the day, and I have already made a trip into see my school's resource teacher to show her how to use them! For more information on any of the apps below, please click on the app image.
The ReadIris app is $13.99, but well worth it! Here you can scan any document, handout or textbook page(s). Once scanned, you are able to delete unnecessary sections before sending to ClaroPDF where...
ClaroPDF takes scanned documents and will read them aloud! The user can adjust rate of speech, write on or highlight the document, add pictures, etc. They can also submit this to their teacher. A great alternative for those who struggle with the reading process.
(Note: Scans can also be sent to other platforms such as Showbie and Google Classrooms)
NaviDys is especially helpful for those who have dyslexia while accessing the Internet. There are functions which allow you to change the font to one more recognizable to those with dyslexia and the spacing between lines can be adjusted.
The Symbol Support app is one I can see many uses for. The main purpose is to use symbols instead of word to help students understand meaning of text. Symbols can accompany words, or for older students, text could be removed and they can try to figure out the 'story' the symbols are trying to convey. Take a digitized text and turn it into a symbol story! Great for those with autism and intellectual disabilities.
The Bitsboard app enables users to use pre-made boards or create their own on virtually any topic being covered in class. Boards are typically made up of pictures, and words or phrases associated with each picture. If you have an EAL student learning basic English, you could take pictures of common greetings. If you create 6 boards for 6 different greetings, Bitsboard will then, with the simple click of a button, create a variety of interactive games with the boards. For example, there could be a matching game (match phrase with appropriate picture) or a 'true and false' game where the student would have to decide if the phrase or word presented actually matched the picture that was presented. The possibilities are endless:)
And remember, all of these apps have a setting link where you can adjust various functions of the apps to meet the needs of your individual students.
Follow up from last week...
Remember the reading analysis task from last week? We reviewed it today. Wow! It truly is amazing how many steps there are in the reading process. Here is a list of many of the steps involved...and is by no means a complete list:
Reading App Exploration with Sarah
In pairs, we were asked to explore 4 different app stores and find two apps in each that could be used in the class to aid and enhance the reading process. Take a look at what Sarah and I found! Be sure to click on each app image for more information!
Apple Store finds:
abc PocketPhonics: Listen to word sounds and trace the letter...and listen to the letter sounds to complete the spelling of words.
Lively Letters: See letters turn into characters to help teach phonemic awareness, phonics and speech production.
Google Play for Android finds:
Endless Reader: Learning sight words common in school books to help with reading fluency.
AGO Phonics Sound Pad: Levelled activities for learning phonics and word pronunciation.
Microsoft Store finds:
I Learn with Fun - Words: Learn to read and write words with the help of interactive and animated content.
ABC Letter Phonics for Kids: A great way to connect pictures with corresponding words. The use of fine motor skills are integrated into this app, also.
Chrome Store finds:
(please note: these programs must be accessed from the Chrome web browser)
Raz Kids A-Z: Levelled reading activities for children up to grade 5 and it offers various subject areas to connect with all interests.. Great for teachers who want to track their students' progress!
Fluency Tutor: A fun way to promote fluency by reading aloud. A great tool to help teachers support struggling readers. Hundreds of reading passages are available, or students or teachers can create their own!
A busy and productive day! Now time to start thinking about our final case study project. I am thinking about using a reading program to track improvement in my 7 year old daughter's reading skills. She is in grade two and is in French Immersion. Next year she will have her first English class and I would like her to be prepared!
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