"I Touch" in my classroom....do you?

I have three students for whom differentiated instruction is particularly beneficial.  “Brittney” is an ELL student, “Frank” is an IEP student and “Elicia” is a student who has vision issues.  By having a Touch, they will have an extra tool to aide in their education.  Plus, this learning can take place at their desk instead of at a computer away from the other students (our computers are off to the side of the class).  They will still be included in the conversation.

Frank has an IEP for writing, math and reading.  I think he would benefit from using the Merriam-Webster dictionary app.  There is a word of the day (or I could choose one), which could help him add words to his vocabulary.  He has trouble holding a pencil and writing is difficult for him.  I think that he would benefit from the blackboard app.  He just uses his fingers to write.  This could be used during spelling tests/work.   I was also able to download the IEP checklist app, which you can type in who is involved, notifications, current performance, annual goals, and other info along with taking notes and making recordings. 

While I was checking out the Merriam-Webster dictionary app, I found that there was a magnifying glass that can be used.  This would be great for Elicia when reading.  She would benefit from a Touch if I were using the smart board in my class.  She would be able to pull up the webpage and follow along at her desk.

Brittany is an ELL student who is reading at a level G.  She would benefit from StoryKit.  She has read through many of the books already that are at school and this could give her more options.  She could create her own stories or even download others from amazon.  Maybe even just using the pictures that are there, she could write the story to go along with the pictures.  Since English isn’t Brittany’s first language, Dragon Dictation would be useful.  I could record a lesson and she could replay and read along with the text. 

There are some complications that can arise. They may not be familiar with a keyboard, so finding letters could take a while.  The good news is that they will learn how to type within the next three weeks in my classroom.  They also might not be familiar with the Touch.  I would try to make sure that they learn how beforehand.  Since the apps are in English, Brittany may have difficulty understanding some of the vocabulary used.  This would be a good teaching moment, thus helping her gain vocab.