Articulate it Review

Articulate it by Smarty Ears!

                        

$34.99

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/articulate-it!/id391296844?mt=8

This is an app that replaces the need for articulation flash card decks! It contains over 1000 picture cards with every phoneme in the English language! Each student or child has a profile that contains their date of birth, grade, and picture (or avatar). You can select all of a student's target phonemes or processes and then choose which ones to practice in each session. You can use this app with groups with tailored goals for each student. This app gives you the ability to work on phonemes/processes in words or in phrases.

When each card or target is presented it will give an audio model of the word or phrase. You also have the option of removing the audio and the text presented on the card. With each card you can record the student's response and write notes. After the child says the word you can select the green check if they got it right and the blue x if wrong. At the end of the session it tracks the percentage of accuracy for you and produces an emailable session report. The app also stores the session data so you can track progress over time.

Things I find neat about this app:
On the actual picture card presented there is a paper clipped picture of the student (or the avatar they selected for themselves) with their name! The kids really like this feature! It is great for turn taking reinforcement during group sessions.
Another great feature: When you select a child that has already used the app, you have the choice to repeat the previous items practiced. This is handy so you don't have re-select the phonemes/processes that you want to target. You can also see the list of words for each phoneme and hand pick which words you want to use.

The pictures are a mix of real life photos, smarty symbols, and digital illustrations.

I really like using this app while playing therapy games. I use an iPad stand and set up Articulate it with my group. On each turn of the game the students have to practice their phonemes/processess with the app before they get to make their move! After their production (while they are taking their turn) I can tap  correct or incorrect and make any notes right there in the app! At the end of the day I have all of my students' progress information available to my fingertips! This app really is a time saver and a motivator!!


Here is a list of features listed on their app in iTunes:
1. Over 1 thousand pictures;
2. Audio recordings for every word present on this app! You child can practice saying their sounds on their own by repeating the voice on the app;

3. Contains ALL phonemes of the English language;

4. Ability to track multiple students at the same time with separate goals;

5. Ability to group sounds by Manner of articulation or phonological processes;

6. Built in voice recording allows the children to compare their productions with the audio recording;

7. Extremely specific results screens- give you percentage based on phonemes/ position in the words/ which words were missed and more...

8. Note taking capability: allows SLPs and parents to take notes during practice.

9. Universal app! Looks great on iPhone and on iPad.

10. Amazing images.

11. Allows you to skip images you don't want to practice.

12. So many features and more. Watch our video for more information!

Smarty Ears continues to make high quality apps that really revolutionize speech therapy! Articulate it is a great looking and great performing app that my students have responded well too!



Images taken from google and smarty ears website for informative purposes only!

Proloquo2Go giveaway! $200.00 app!

http://www.smartappsforkids.com/2012/05/proloquo2go-giveaway-200-aac-app.

Fun and Functional by Smarty Ears

Fun and Functional App Review

By Smarty Ears $9.99
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fun-functional/id498640017?mt=8

This app is designed to improve language skills (receptive and expressive) in all age groups using real world objects (functional objects). It is very easy to use and set up. I consider this a must have for every SLP device! You can use this app with children and adults.

The app has two different tasks:

Receptive: 2-4 objects are presented (you choose how many depending on the level of your client) and described ("What do we use to brush our teeh") . The client then has to touch the item described. You can customize what happens when the wrong item is touched (keep going, remove item, or buzz). When the client touches the correct item they recieve positive reinforcement (the sound of children saying yea!). You can also customize how similar the items presented are to increase the level of difficulty. I really love the customizable features! (Sometimes the buzzing can upset a child when they answer incorrectly).

Expressive: An object is pictured and there is a prompt asking what the item is used for (What is a seat belt used for?).  The therapist can then tap one of three buttons (missed it, almost, or Got it!). This will keep track of their progress throughout the session.

Categories included: Electronics, clothing, occuaptions, kitchen, vehicle/transportation, school items, household items, outdoor, grooming, and miscellaneous. You can select the categories you want my turning each of them on or off. (Which is great if you just want to work on one category at a time!).

At the end of the session is generates a report that is emailable. The report outlines the session by showing the categories worked on, what level/activity (ex.  expressive/receptive, 4 items per screen) and the percentange of accuracy for the tasks. (ex. Receptive 50% Expressive 45%).  

This app uses Smarty Symbols created by Smary Ears. These are great symbols and they seem to translate well to the clients I have used this app with! I do prefer real object pictures but that does not stop me from using this amazing app!

App Reviews

Pocket Pairs Review

Pocket Pairs by Pocket SLP

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocket-pairs/id416573790?mt=8

This app is $23.99 (Check for Sales!)

As a traveling SLP I am always looking for apps for my iPad to minimize the amount of materials I have to lug from site to site. When I discovered Pocket SLP, I thought, what could get better!! Then they came out with the Minimal Pairs app. This app is beyond useful in my daily therapy activities. Not only is it full flashcard app to work on all of the phonological processes in minimal pairs, but you can also integrate a whole group of students with different goals (processes) at once! It has both expressive and receptive tasks (production and discrimination).  It is completely customizable to your caseload!

 A really neat feature is that before the student touches one of the cards, they get to see their name right on the card. (Mandi West, Say the Words). This is very motivating during group sessions!

After each pair  is presented you have a data collection button (one for correct production, approximation, and incorrect).  It keeps track of the percentage of accuracy for you and stores the data to show progress at a glance for each student.

It includes in-app generated reports:

You have choices between three formats: graph, report card, and spreadsheet. I really love the report card format because it outlines the session (percentage correct and actual words used) and has a section to instruct parents on how to work with them at home! What is better than tailored handouts and homework for parents!  The graph format is great for tracking progress (excellent visual representation for parents/teachers).   

You can also run a daily report for all students that will show data from every session completed that day, which is very useful when you are filling out progress notes/forms. When you are finished you can email or print results right from the app.

This app really abolishes the need for card decks or flipbooks to address phonological processes!

 I don’t know what it is about the iPad and using apps in therapy, but the students I work with really respond to the “touch” interactions better than they did before with traditional flashcard activities. For this busy traveling SLP, Minimal Pairs is a life saver!

This app is more sleek and "clean" looking without a lot of visual distractions. (Compared to some of the other apps that have a lot more background graphics). I prefer to use this one with older elementary aged kids or ones who are distracted easily.

Finding Your Child's Voice Article (PDF version available). 5 Quick tips to Boost Speech and Language Skills at Home by Amanda Schaumburg