Student learning - "There's an app for that"

My assignment is to think of a student and pick three ‘apps’ for the iPod Touch that would benefit this student’s learning. This was actually a more difficult task than I anticipated because there are such a wide variety of educational ‘apps’ to choose from.

My student is a 7 yr old boy. He has been diagnosed with ADHD, he has difficulties in math and has high anxiety. In situations where the student is feeling anxious he ‘shuts down’ and is unable to communicate how he is feeling. He is a visual/kinesthetic learner. Because he has ADHD he requires frequent breaks. He also requires activities that can lower his anxiety and improve his relaxation. He is of average cognitive abilities and enjoys using the computer to play games.

The first ‘app’ I have chosen is called Math Drills Lite. This is a free version of Math Drills. Math drills looks like a calculator pad on the bottom of the screen. The students use the keypad to type in their answers. The number pad is visual and tactile, there is also the ability to customize the types of questions asked. You can change how the questions are presented from horizontal or vertical. Assistance can be turned off and on. You can correct answers instantly and get an explanation for incorrect answers. There is a number line that gives a visual representation for how the problem could be solved. There are also tools that the student can use to help them solve the problem, such as a multiplication chart.

I picked Math Drills Lite because this student needs support in math with his basic facts. This student needs to do daily multiplication, division, addition and subtraction drills. Having students complete the same worksheets with multiplication problems or addition questions can be very boring for students. Allowing students to use an iPod Touch to do their basic facts is a lot of fun. Math drills has a number line that gives students a visual representation for how to solve the problem, this is excellent for my student who is a visual learner. Also having the student tap the number pad to answer questions is tactile and reinforces number recognition. The ‘app’ is easy to use and if you purchase the full version you have access to a huge number of questions so the student isn’t doing the same questions everyday.

The second ‘app’ I chose is called izen Garden lite. This is the free version of the iZen Garden application. This application has relaxing music, it is very simple to use. There are rocks that you can place on the sand. You can drag your finger along the sand to make the sand look like it has been raked. You can make different patterns in the sand. Izen Garden is very visual and tactile. To clear the sand you shake the iPod Touch and you can start again. You can place rocks anywhere in the sand. You can change the shape and size of the rocks and create an interesting pattern with the rocks.

I really liked this ‘app’ and chose it for my student because its very relaxing and it could help to sooth my student when he is feeling anxious. It could also be used as a distraction when my student begins to ‘shut down’ and is unable to communicate his feelings. Once the student has calmed down he is able to talk through what is bothering him and his ‘app’ could help him deescalate quickly. The ‘app’ also had very calming music, which is great for relaxation. The ‘app’ also helps promote creativity and fine motor control.

The third application I picked was Crush the Castle, this is a free application. The purpose of the game is to use an old fashion catapult to knock over different castles. The game has a medieval theme, which is great for my student who really enjoys castles. You can advance to different levels by knocking down the castle in three shots or less. In order to launch the catapult you tap the screen once and then tap the screen a second time to release the rocks. When you are successful knocking down the castle the entire thing crumbles to the ground and you move to a more difficult castle.

I chose Crush the Castle for my student because he has ADHD and he requires frequent breaks. This student needs a fun activity that doesn’t distract other students during class time. The game is very easy to use and there are different levels that the student can advance to so my student won’t get bored of the game right away. I think my student would really enjoy the purpose of the game because he’s interested in castles and catapults. I also think this game would be great for my student because it’s easy to play and I know my student would experience a lot of success with it.

There are hundreds of great applications for students but I particularly liked these three for my student and think they would benefit his learning.