When I started this blog, I did my fair share of app reviews. Do I still find benefit in apps and using them in therapy? Yes, I do. However, I no longer have the blind love for them that I once did and this is why I now have a Love-Hate relationship with my tablet.
THEY CAN BE PHENOMENAL FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND GROWTH
I have seen the level of interest and engagement in therapy increase when the same task is presented with an interactive platform such as my tablet. The increase of interest appears to be the same whether the task is presented using interactive no print resources or developed apps by some of our favorite SLP app developers. With an increase in engagement and interest, it is pretty safe to say it leads to an increase in student success (at least from my experience) because the student wants to learn and has been drawn into the lesson.
COSTS CAN ADD UP FOR APPS
Most apps are not cheap and they shouldn’t be! I know I could not develop some of the wonderful apps our colleagues have created. That being said, most of us do not have a lot of money to spare on technology and/or resources to purchase the apps. That is why I am always looking out for some great no print resources or boom cards because they still draw the kids in but do not cost as much as many of the apps out there. Of course, there are still some MUST HAVE apps that I use weekly with my students and for that reason, the cost alone (as long as my family can financially swing it) will not stop me from purchasing just the right apps for my caseload needs.
GREAT TOOL FOR TRAVELING SLP and TELETHERAPISTS
I quickly learned that when you have several school sites to visit, the tablet comes in handy! I no longer had to pack up a huge bag or two to take from school site to school site just to help my students meet their goals. Same goes with teletherapy. I can use my tablet and connect it via my zoom room so that my students can see many of the apps that I use on their own computer screens. My tablet is a great help in saving my back and the medical costs slinging all of those bags filled with resources may cost me down the road.
TOO MANY UPDATES
This right here is the main cause of my negative relationship with my tablet. My tablet is currently FILLED with apps that I can no longer use and that I spent good money on because developers just can’t keep up with the costs of the constant updates! I stated in one of my earliest blog posts that I am a therapy resource hoarder, and so although these apps currently do not work, I can not bring myself to clearing them from my tablet. I am always hopeful that some of my favorites may rise again from the ashes. I’m an obvious optimistic and glutton rolled up in one!
Do you have a love-hate relationship with technology or with tablets? Do you have favorite apps that are a MUST HAVE and that you have noticed are consistently updated?
If yes to either, please leave a message below and share your favorite apps or why you have a love-hate relationship with your tablet.
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