With all the great app suggestions I keep seeing on Facebook and other blog sites, I'm running out of room on my iPad! I'm surprised, though, that I have yet to come across a review of what just might be my favorite FREE app...
ChoiceBoard Creator by Techno Chipmunk. I love this app because of its versatility. It's designed to be a simple way for students with alternative communication needs to make basic choices. I have used the app in this way, allowing students to make lunch selections, pick a song during circle time, or choose an activity during therapy sessions.
Some screenshots from iTunes:
I tend to find myself, however, using the app for more than just making choices. I don't know about your students, but mine are more motivated to do just about
ANYTHING if the iPad is involved! Because of this, I find myself using this app to target:
- Answering comprehension questions about stories.
- Receptive vocabulary identification (this really only works if your students CANNOT read)
- Pragmatics (identification of peers by name)
- Audio screenings ~ I have some students who just don't understand what's expected of them, regardless of how often I explain. As a last-ditch effort this year, I grabbed the iPad and made a quick board. I was amazed that I could actually get a more or less reliable result!
Here are some example boards I've created:
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| School Vocabulary - Receptive |
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| Question Board for "Grow Little Turnip, Grow Big" |
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| Lunch choice board |
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| Characters from "Scarecrow's Friends" |
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| Identifying peers from a group |
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| Audio screening |
What I like about the app:
- It's very easy to use.
- It's customizable and you can create a TON of different boards.
- You can change the size and number of boxes per page.
- You can use as many (or as few) pages as you want.
- You can use pictures or text in the boxes.
- You can insert pictures directly from the camera, making it easy to make boards very quickly.
- You can use the default audio (applause) or customize the audio for "correct" response
Things I would change:
- You have to select a "correct" response. If you were using this for AAC purposes for a child to make a choice between multiple activities, you would have to have all the boxes marked correct (since any choice would be appropriate).
- There is no "back" button for an accidental hit. You can return to the main menu and start over though.
- All the pages loop, rather than bringing you back to the start-up page. Although I don't actually mind this (it's convenient if you're working with a group and giving each child a turn), it tends to freeze up after a few loops.
- You can't add text AND a picture to the same box (at least not that I've figured out).
- If you delete a board, the title of it is not removed from the board list.
- Adding audio to the question. You have to read it to the students.
Overall, this app is very versatile and a MUST for any SLP or educator! I hope you can find it useful!
