Free Resources from the Net for EVERY Learner

Supporting Universal Access and Universal Design for Learning

Tag Archives: Side by Side

November 9, 2012
by Paul Hamilton
2 Comments

iOS Apps to Support Learners Who Struggle with Reading and/or Writing – Updated Annotated List

My most visited posts ever was 10 Apps for Learners Who Struggle with Reading and/or Writing (Feb. 2012). Since then, my list of iOS Apps has been expanding. When I’ve shared these apps in person, as I did this week on an ISTE webinar, the presentation has been well received. So, here’s my updated list of iOS apps, with point-form annotation. The same information is available on my UDL Resource website, and that’s where I will continue to update the list.

I don’t claim that the apps shared here are the only solution or even the best solution. I have spent considerable time and money exploring apps to support reading and writing, and these are apps that I have found to be effective. The 24 apps listed below are organized under the following headings: 1) Supports for Reading; 2) Supports for Writing; 3) Alternatives to Writing; 4) Research Supports; 5) Visual Supports; 6) Supports for Written Math Work.

Supports for Reading

vBookz PDF Voice Reader ($4.99)

  • Text-to-speech for PDF files 
  • Files retain original page formatting with images, diagrams, etc.
  • High quality voices–male or female
  • Text tracked as read  
  • Import PDFs from Safari, email attachments, or DropBox
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

iBooks (Free)

  • Text-to-speech (with iOS Speak Selection) for eBooks created in ePUB format
  • [Speak Selection must be turned on in Settings under Accessibility]
  • Works not only with books purchased from iBookstore, but with material created on the iDevice or imported from other sources
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

 

ClaroSpeak US/UK ($5.99)

  • High quality text to speech reader with 5 built in voices
  • Imports and reads doc, docx, pages, pptx, epub files, but does not retain original formatting of the page
  • Visual highlighting of text as read
  • Also functions as text editor, will echo word or sentence
  • Creates audio files from text files
  • Customizable reading rate, font size, color contrast, etc.
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

Readability (Free)

  • Re-formats web pages to reduce clutter
  • Adjust font-size, contrast and margins
  • Save articles in Readability to read later, whether online or not
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch (FREE)

 

 

TextGrabber + Translator ($2.99)

  • Take an image of text and convert it to editable/readable digital text
  • ABBY OCR is relatively fast
  • Works with cameras on iPhone 4+, iPod 5+, iPad 3+
  • Option for importing images taken with other cameras/other devices
  • Offers translation to multiple languages
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

Supports for Writing

TYP-O HD ($14.99)

  • Writing app with multiple supports
  • Word prediction with text-to-speech
  • Built in option for text input with voice recognition
  • Text-to-speech for listening to written work
  • Spell-checker
  • Video demo and tutorial
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

Nebulous Notes ($4.99)

  • Text editor that works well for anyone, and especially for individuals with low vision
  • Large font and variable contrast between text and background are available
  • Text to speech available with Speak Selection
  • Integrates with DropBox, prints, emails
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

 

PaperPort Notes (Free)

  • versatile note-taking app, with multiple options for text input
  • keyboard/voice recognition/stylus inputs available
  • audio recordings can be attached to note pages
  • notes can be shared via email, Google Docs, DropBox, etc.
  • notes may be opened as PDF files by other iPad apps
  • iPad only

Dragon Dictation (Free)

  • easy to  use voice recognition, no training necessary
  • Use Speak Selection to read back dictated text aloud
  • Copy work to clipboard for use in other apps
  • Share dictated text via email, send directly to Facebook/Twitter
  • Internet connection required
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

 

Alternatives to Writing

Audio Memos ($0.99)

  • Use device mic to create audio voice recordings
  • Options for editing and bookmarking recordings
  • Share easily via email, Wi-Fi, or online file storage services
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch ($0.99)
  • In-App purchases available to increase functionality, including voice activation

 

AudioNote ($4.99)

  • Record a talk, lesson, lecture, or your own thoughts while taking notes
  • Use keyboard or stylus to take notes, or use stylus to add drawings, diagrams, etc.
  • Notes are synchronized with audio, and audio can be “searched” by clicking on word or drawing
  • Export notes and audio via email, over wi-fi, or via iTunes
  • Also available for PC, Mac and Android
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

Audioboo (Free)

  • Create audio recordings up to three minutes in length
  • Add image, tags, and location
  • Share on device, to Twitter/Facebook, or by email, 
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch (Free) – not optimized for iPad

 

 

fotobabble

  • Attach audio recording to image
  • Extensive range of options for editing image in app, including opportunity to add text
  • Share via Facebook, Twitter, or email
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch (not optimized for iPad)

 

 

Book Creator ($1.99)

  • Intuitive app for creating ebooks in ePUB format
  • Books can incorporate images, video, text, recorded audio, music
  • Completed books are published to iBooks on the iPad
  • Books can be printed or shared via email, iTunes, or Dropbox
  • iPad only

 

Animoto (Free)

  • Create multimedia presentation videos
  • Combine images/video clips/text with music
  • User interface is intuitive, videos are quick and easy to create
  • Also available for desktop and Android
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

 

Research Supports

Google Search (FREE)

  • Voice recognition works well for entering search terms
  • Many search results offer text-to-speech responses
  • Also offers opportunity to enter images as “search terms”
  • Video demo
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

Qwiki (FREE)

  • Search tool that yields results in multiple formats–images and videos, text (with accompanying text-to-speech)
  • A quintessential UDL tool
  • iPad only

 

Side by Side (FREE)

  • Split iPad screen into up to 4 customizable windows
  • Built in web browser and text editor for note-taking
  • Import text files or pdf’s
  • Integrates with DropBox
  • iPad only

 

Visual Supports

Idea Sketch (FREE)

  • Create mind map and turn it into an outline or  vice versa
  • Import text from other apps
  • Share work via email, or copy into other apps
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

 

 

Mindomo (FREE)

  • Powerful and versatile mind mapping app
  • Mind maps can include images, hyperlinks, icons, notes, etc.
  • Export mind maps as images or as PDF files
  • Cross-platform desktop clients and Android versions available
  • iPad only

 

Corkulous Pro ($4.99)

  • Mind mapping “cork board” for collecting, organizing and sharing ideas
  • Arrange notes, images, labels, etc. visually with colour code potential
  • Link multiple boards
  • Share/sync via iCloud or Dropbox, or export as PDF files
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

 

Tools 4 Students ($0.99)

  • Set of 15 graphic organizers to support visual organization of thoughts and concepts (cause/effect, pro/con, story elements, KWL, etc.)
  • Save work for future reference, or share via email
  • iPad only

 

 

Supports for Written Math Output

Panther Math Paper ($19.99)

  • Do math work on iPad (beginning and advanced)
  • Mathematical notation and symbols available and easily accessible
  • Learners are able to show their work
  • iPad only

February 18, 2012
by Paul Hamilton
1 Comment

Side by Side iPad App Splits Screen for Online Research, Note-Taking and More

For many reasons, it can be helpful to view multiple “windows” simultaneously on a single screen. A learner may wish to see more than one source of information while taking notes. Or, someone might want to have a Twitter client or Facebook account open to share what’s being learned and written about. All of this is possible, and more, on the 10 inch iPad screen.

Side by Side is a remarkable free app. With Side by Side, you can split the iPad screen into as many as four windows that can be positioned and sized as needed. These windows can be used to view multiple websites, PDF’s or MS Word files. Or, any of the windows may be used for note-taking text editors. Text can be copied into a text editor from other open windows. Text-to-speech is available in any of the windows via Speak Selection.

Side by Side has its own browser for opening websites. PDF’s and text files can be opened into Side by Side from DropBox or from email attachments. Notes written in Side by Side can be emailed, saved into DropBox or opened into other apps on the iPad.

The image below gives an idea of what is possible with Side by Side. I suspect that there are countless learners who would benefit greatly by using this app in a great many learning activities.

There is a Side by Side Pro version of this app available for $1.99. I have purchased and installed the Pro version, but I have found the free version to be more than adequate.