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In the world of mobile technologies in schools dominated by Apple and their iPads it would
be good to promote some good things about Android in terms of helping pupils with special
needs. The following points are worth talking about:-
• Cost • Ease of writing
• Portability & Speed • Ease of making apps
Cost Android devices are cheaper to purchase and
therefore more can be bought in comparison to costly Apple products. Cheaper devices
will mean cheaper maintenance and oncosts when the devices need replacing. A consideration
that schools often don't factor in when investing in new technologies
Ease of writing For the dyslexic learner this is a real plus
as the keyboards on Android devices have word prediction included. SwiftKey and A1 keyboard
offer keyboards that can be customised. SwiftKey as a glide across the keyboard which would
aim pupils with problems over muscle dystrophies as well as pupils who naturally use this method
for texting. The iPad has a limited keyboard which isn't has friendly to dyslexics. Also
with Google voice typing this enables speech recognition to be included. It is very easy
to use and there is no training involved. These tools haven't be tried with pupils I
have worked with yet to see how accurate this would be -- so if any school wants to contact
me to let me try this out on any of their pupils then please let me know.
Portability & Speed Android devices come in more sizes than their
ipad counterparts and therefore truly can be "pocket devices." There is a functional
cut off in terms of typing and size of device. Some pupils may prefer a normal keyboard input.
Trying the different "themed " options may increase writing fluidity. Speed is also a
plus as the devices are quicker than iPads. The downside maybe some awkward multi-tasking
operations that are required to change any settings which slows speed down.
Ease of making apps Googleapps tools can make android apps quicker
and more effective. Appshed is a tool for creating links to information which would
enable good use of databases and pre-set materials by teachers to make learning personal and
individualised. This way of using mobile devices will require teachers to
do a different kind of resource preparation. More about searching and finding content then
making available via the internet to their mobile devices. Most schools haven't thought
remotely about doing this. The power could also be in the hands of the pupils to design
their own apps which could then be sold on to other users. Companies like the "Apps for
Good" company are making this available to schools as a form of enterprise working alongside
companies and real-work setting people to show the value of their work. It gets over
the audience problem so many schools have when the audience isn't really live and it
becomes a meaningless exercise with no real outcome. Far better to engage pupils with
real-life situations and problems to solve. Conclusion
Trialling of these devices in school settings would be very helpful as gliches and problems
occur in the field rather than when being used by the individual in their quiet home
surroundings or a training base. Reliability of the apps is a concern I think for Android
devices as my Galaxy Tab was prone to freezing when using SwiftKey and therefore a different
more simpler tool may be best!! Using a simple note taking app like Writer ( £free) with
AI keyboard(free) . Each word is predicted and spoken and therefore useful for pupils
who need a high level of support. Putting the Galaxy Tab on a flat surface does help
limit mistakes and enables two handed typing to be used. AI keyboard's predictor is widely
recognised as the most reliable and the best. I can concur that having the most relevant
word on the space bar key a real bonus. With any small device good fine motor skills is
needed but using the different templates may help you find the most relevant key to use.
Speech and the different methods of input to these devices offer a real plus particularly
for the dyslexic or muscle dystrophy user. Little pressure or lifting off of the screen
is needed. It will take some training to perfect a pupils skill in using this . This means
keyboarding is different when using smaller hand-held devices and is more of a thumb and
single finger access method. An interesting research topic would be the relative speeds
of using handheld devices compared to traditional keyboard methods.
Speech works best on the AI Keyboard and for an adult is quite accurate on the Galaxy Tab.
This could be useful for pupils with good reading ability who need to catchup and use
this means of recording. Cost plays a big factor these days in schools
and maximising the budget is a key consideration. Android devices don't use the school software
but for specific individual needs then wordprocessing, using the internet and emailing become their
major use. Good wifi is essential in a school setting and should be the major consideration
before embarking on any portable project first .