The UDL Educational Technology Guide 2019-2020: Technology for Special Education

John F. O'Sullivan
previous page next page

Section 8 Apps with Free Versions


Having a section on free apps might not seem like a need or a proper category to some. As a teacher, I understand the difficulty of getting funds for very small purchases for education. The money is allocated from the top down. If you are on the ground floor, you do not have decision making power for small purchases. You have to ask administrators for even the most basic purchases. This is a mistake. If you go to a school for years, have to go to professional development on a regular basis and yet you cannot decide how ten dollars is spent. Teachers are so well known for buying their own supplies that it has been written in tax law. Companies that give away some basic free stuff win teachers over quickly. The truth is administrators will listen to teachers that can make a case. The process for buying items is longer than you would think. Lower level administrators have to go to their bosses to ask for money. If you use the free version of a product and love it, then you can make the case. 

Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC-SLP Honorable Mention  

FREE Language Apps for SLPs

http://www.pinterest.com/lasenders/free-language-apps-for-slps/ 


Talking Tom Cat

A person talks to this app, and the app repeats what you said in a cartoon voice. The app is free. You can also buy a number of other similar apps for a few dollars from the app developer.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/talking-tom-cat/id377194688?mt=8 

Here is a list of similar apps made by the developer. I have to warn you that some of the stuff in these apps is not appropriate for school. If you are a parent and you want to get one of these apps for your child that is okay. You want to be careful about teaching children inappropriate social behaviors. I used many of these apps with a family member, and I like them.

http://outfit7.com/our-work/


Verbally

If you are considering an AAC app, this is a good one to try first.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/verbally/id418671377?mt=8 


Articulation Station

This is another popular app that is highly rated. Both the free and paid versions of Articulation Station are very good apps to help teach basic sounds to students.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/articulation-station/id467415882?mt=8

 

Table of contents

previous page start next page