Do you ever stumble upon an app and think ” that is really cool” but the light bulb just doesn’t go on for application of it (or may be you don’t have an immediate application) ??

WordToob app (iPad; 19.99 for iOS 5.1 or later) was one of those apps. I have had it on my iPad for quite sometime but just didn’t quite see the application – maybe I was blinded by the light????

I have the opportunity of working with a great school team supporting a student with special needs. The team created videos of the many activities the student participates (dozens! Kudos to Erin and Jodi and the rest of the team!). This has helped guide the student with the activity. It has worked well to feed forward the expectations of the activity. A significant amount of research supports use of video modeling as  evidence based practice  intervention for a wide variety of individuals. Using WordToob app provides the vehicle for displaying all those video models in an organized method for easy access for the student or staff.

John Halloran, developer of WordToob app, provides an overview of the many uses of WordToob. Although a lengthy video, the video below gives you ideas of the many applications of its use.

Video modeling ideas with use of WordToob, as described on iTunes:

• Learning social skills
• Recognizing emotions
• Visual schedules
• Learning adaptive skills
• Show and tell, storytelling

There are many more ways to use WordToob:

• Learning new words
• Recognizing words you hear
• Improving articulation
• ELL

For more information check out WordToob on their website. A number of videos in YouTube are available for ideas and instruction in its use.

Creating albums of videos certainly works on the iPad, however, WordToob app provides an easy method of titling videos and access for both student and staff. Although a bit expensive, WordToob has multiple uses beyond just presenting and organizing videos. Games, word work and visual schedules are just a few methods WordToob can be used.

As I now see the light, I am glad its on a little brighter! I am looking forward to adding this to the arsenal of apps used to support individuals with disabilities – whether at school or in work settings!

More for your teaching, PT or OT mTool Kit!

Carol

Reference:

National Professional Development Center, on Autism Spectrum Disorders. “Evidence Base for Video Model.” Evidence Base for Video Modeling (n.d.): n. pag. National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/sites/autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/files/VideoModeling_EvidenceBase_0.pdf