Moved Elsewhere

I moved to http://rwslp.wordpress.com during the month and a half I was locked out of this blog.  Many of these links no longer work.

2 is Always Better Than 1

Two problems I have found using a tablet in therapy is that it frequently doesn't lend itself well to group therapy and smudges/sanitation. Here is my solution to both these problems.

A half-sized binder fits most 7 inch tablets. Because Android tablets are much cheaper than iPads, you  can buy two decent ones for less than the price of 1 iPad.  For instance you can by 2 Lenovo A2107s right now for $150 each.  These tablets have offline GPS so they can be used for GPS navigation without a data/WIFI connection (not available in iPads).  Another option is to get the Kindle Fire for $160 each. Two of either of these sturdy tablets are cheaper than the $329 for the iPad mini.

A2107	Kindle Fire

Both of these tablets should fit in a half-size binder. The binder protects the tablets from smudges and is easy to wipe off. Now you can do articulation therapy using Pocket Artic with one student and language therapy with a few others using the Irregular Verbs Fun Deck at the same time. Like many other apps, you can email the students results when you are done.

With either the A2017 or the Kindle Fire you can access the Amazon Appstore, providing a free app every day, several of these in the last year have been great for therapy (not available in iPads). There are plenty of speech and language apps in the Amazon Appstore (see my list of over 101) and with the A2107 you can access even more in Google Play. If you are not interested in either of these tablets there are 100's of other Android tablets available cheaper than iPads.

On top of all this, Bluestacks can be installed on Windows computers and run Android apps from the Amazon Appstore. Check back here next week for more details.  

77+ SLP Blogs

I have found 77+ SLP blogs and put all of them into Google Reader.  Using Google Reader, you can keep updated with all of these blogs at once here.

SLP Blogs

2 Gals Talk ...about speech therapy

http://2galsspeechproducts.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Activity Tailor

http://www.activitytailor.com/blog/?feed=rss2

all4mychild

http://all4mychild.com/feed/

ASHAsphere

http://feeds.asha.org/ASHAsphere

blog

http://slctherapy.com/blog/rss

Blog | Erik X. Raj: Speech-Language Pathologist

http://www.erikxraj.com/rss

Carrie's Speech Corner

http://carriesspeechcorner.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Chapel Hill Snippets

http://chapelhillsnippets.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Child Talk

http://www.talkingkids.org/feeds/posts/default

Cindy L. Meester's Blog- Speech Therapy with a Twist

http://meesterc.wordpress.com/feed/

Cochlear Implant Online

http://cochlearimplantonline.com/site/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/xml/media-rss.php

Consonantly Speaking

http://consonantlyspeaking.com/rss.xml

Cooking Up Good Speech!

http://speechsnacks.com/feed/atom/

Crazy Speech World

http://crazyspeechworld.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Deaf Village

http://deafvillage.com/news/?feed=rss2

Dysphagia Ramblings

http://apujo5.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Early Intervention Speech Therapy

http://community.advanceweb.com/blogs/sp_1/rss.aspx

Easy Speech and Language Ideas

http://easyspeakideas.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Eric's RSS Feed

http://feeds.feedburner.com/EricsRssFeed

Expressions Speech

http://www.expressionsspeech.com/apps/blog/entries/feed/rss

Frances Evesham SpeechContacts Human Communication Blog

http://speechcontacts.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

GeekSLP: Your source of educational apps and technology

http://www.geekslp.com/feed/

Hanna B. gradstudentSLP

http://hbslp.wordpress.com/feed/

HearMyHands ASL

http://hearmyhandsasl.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Heather's Speech Therapy

http://heatherspeechtherapy.com/feed/

If Only I Had Super Powers....

http://ifonlyihadsuperpowers.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

In Spontaneous Speech

http://cjmonty.wordpress.com/feed/

iSPeak App

http://ispeakapp.com/feed/

Iteach2talk's Blog

http://iteach2talk.wordpress.com/feed/

Jill Kuzma's SLP Social & Emotional Skill Sharing Site

http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/feed/

Language Fix

http://languagefix.wordpress.com/feed/

Let's Talk Speech and Language

http://www.letstalkspeechlanguage.com/feeds/posts/default

Let's Talk Speech-Language Pathology

http://letstalkslp.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Lexical Linguist

http://lexicallinguist.wordpress.com/feed/

listentalkdraw.com

http://listentalkdraw.com/feed/

Little Stories | Early Speech & Language Development

http://thelittlestories.com/feed/

Live Speak Love, LLC

http://livespeaklove.com/feed/

MedSLP

http://medslp.podbean.com/feed/

Mommy Speech Therapy

http://mommyspeechtherapy.com/?feed=rss2

Ndnspeechmom

http://ndnspeechmom.com/feed/

OliviaSLP

http://oliviaslp.com/rss

Pathologically Speaking

http://pathologicallyspeaking.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Pearson Speech and Language

http://www.speechandlanguage.com/feed

PediaStaff Pediatric SLP, OT and PT Blog

http://www.pediastaff.com/blog/feed

Play On Words

http://playonwords.com/feed/

Playing With Words 365

http://www.playingwithwords365.com/feed/

PrAACtical AAC

http://praacticalaac.org/feed/

Say What, Y'all?

http://saywhatyall.wordpress.com/feed/

Smart Speech Therapy LLC

http://www.smartspeechtherapy.com/feed/

Smart Talkers:Talking about childen's communication from Small Talk SLT

http://www.smarttalkersblog.com/feeds/posts/default

Speech Gadget

http://www.speechgadget.com/feeds/posts/default

Speech in the Schools

http://community.advanceweb.com/blogs/sp_2/atom.aspx

Speech Lady Liz

http://speechladyliz.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Speech Room News

http://speechroomnews.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Speech Therapist - Talking Talk

http://talkingtalk.co.za/feed/atom/

Speech Therapists Don't Get Apples!

http://rwslp.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Speech Therapy Ideas & Speech Therapy Activities

http://www.speechtherapyideas.com/feed/

Speech Time Fun

http://speechtimefun.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

speechie apps

http://speechieapps.com/feed/

Speechie Freebies

http://speechiefreebies.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

SpeechTechie- Technology, Apps and Lessons for SLPs and Teachers who like Words

http://www.speechtechie.com/feeds/posts/default

Speechy Keen SLP

http://www.speechykeenslp.com/blog/feed/atom/

Sublime Speech

http://sublimespeech.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Talk It Up

http://talkituptherapy.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

teachmetotalk.com

http://teachmetotalk.com/feed/

Technology and Speech Therapy Corner

http://technologyandspeechtx.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Testy yet trying

http://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

The Learning Curve

http://slplearningcurve.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

The Spectronics Blog

http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/feed/atom/

The Speech Guy

http://the-speechguy.com/feed/

The Speech House

http://sherm04.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

The Speech Ladies

http://thespeechladies.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Therapy and Learning Services, Incorporated - Blog: SpeechladyJen

http://www.therapyandlearningservices.com/3/feed

Therapy App 411: App reviews by SLPs, OTs, and other special education professionals

http://www.therapyapp411.com/feeds/posts/default

Therapy Ideas Blog by Rhiannan Walton

http://blog.therapyideas.org/feed/

TheSpeechPathWay.com

http://www.thespeechpathway.com/feed/

Thinking of a better blog name

http://myramblingsonstuff.wordpress.com/feed/

TiPS: Technology in Practice for S-LPs

http://technologyinpracticeslp.wordpress.com/feed/

Topics in Speech and Language

http://topicsinspeechandlanguage.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Communication Station: Speech Therapy PLLC

http://communicationstationspeechtx.blogspot.com/

Comment below if you want to get added to the list.

SLP Android Apps in the Amazon Appstore

I have started a list of speech language therapy apps in the Amazon Appstore. Comment Below if you know of any to be added to the list.

Email to Autism iHelp

I downloaded the Android version of Autism iHelp – Play yesterday.  The home screen is not sizing properly on most of my devices. This app was tested on a LG DoublePlay, Lenovo A1, and Kindle Fire (1^st Generation). The start screen only sized properly on the Kindle Fire. Access to games and options in cut off on my tablet and only the toys and outdoor activities are accessible on my phone. I tried both the Google Play and Amazon Appstore versions. Besides this major drawback this app works well. Thanks for storing the majority of the app on the SD card.  Let me know you fix the home screen and I will update my review on my blog and Amazon.

Roger Wagner CCC-SLP

www.rwslp.blogspot.com

Individual Client Tracking Sheets

I was cleaning out and reorganizing all the files in my computer and found two sheets I used track client data before I created my Caseload Data Tools.  One file is in Microsoft Word and can be downloaded here.

The other is an Excel file and can be downloaded here.

I figured out how to put all of my files in one folder (album) on ge.tt.  They are all here, but all the download counts have been reset to zero.  

Autism iHelp - Play

Name	Autism iHelp - Play
Developer	Autsim iHelper
Price	Free
MB	18.4
Type General	Language
Type Specific	Vocabulary
Operating System	2.2 or higher
SD Card	No
My Rating	««¶¶¶ (2/5)

Autism iHelp – Play is another Android App that the start screen is not sizing properly on most of my devices.  This app was tested on a LG DoublePlay, Lenovo A1, and Kindle Fire (1^st Generation).  The start screen only sized properly on the Kindle Fire. Access to games and options in cut off on my tablet and only the toys and outdoor activities are accessible on my phone.  Besides this major drawback this app works well.  It provides flashcards with good pictures and voice output (which can be turned off if the options can be accessed).

The games feature is nice. It's too bad it only worked on the Kindle Fire.   It is a multiple choice game for labeling pictures where the audio is optional.

GoToApp

Name	GoToApp Demo/Full
Developer	District Data
Price	Free/$2.25
Size in MB	.5
Type General	Utility
Type Specific	App Organizer
Minimum Operating System	2.2
Stores on SD Card	Yes
My Rating	««««« (5/5)

If you are looking for an app to organize all your other apps look no further.  GoToApp allows you to create unlimited folders to organize your apps within. You can create shortcuts to the folders on your home screen or place folders within other folders.  Apps can be arranged alphabetically, or you can position them.  When placing apps in folders, they can be filtered into new apps or apps that aren't in a folder. You can try the free version, which is the full version for the first few weeks. All information is saved when switching to the full version. The app creator was quick to respond to questions.

Free Version	Full Version

Email to Pocket SLP

Below is my Email to Pocket SLP

Dear PocketSLP,

I am enjoying your speech therapy apps for android devices.  I have a tablet and phone and am using both your Pocket SLP Articulation, and Little Jude Sky 1 apps.  I like them both, but have a few suggestions for improvement.  Many android apps let you store most of the app on the SD card.  Both your apps are over 20 MB. Please give your apps this feature, because I am running out of space on my tablet.

The Pocket SLP Articulation app works great on both my tablet and phone. It is by far the best articulation app I have found.  There are a few mistakes/glitches I have noticed while using the sentences feature though.  There are no sentences for ‘z’.  It just goes to the word level for both the word and sentence level.  

Some sentences aren’t really sentences.

• One thousand kids.
• The smoking volcano.  
• The number four.
• The number five.
• A smoking volcano.
• The number seven.

There are a few capital letter mistakes.

• Look at the Chalk stick. (C)
• The Orange is good. (O)
• The Gorilla is mad. (G)
• I bought some Art today. (A)
• We went to oregon state. (o)

One sentence is missing an apostrophe.

• The kitten lost its mittens. (it’s)

Two sentence missing a letter.

• The went north yesterday.  (They?)
• Buy some tomatos. (tomatoes)

One sentence missing a period.

• Game starts with G(.)

The start screen in Little Jude Sky’s Very Strange Day Pt. 1 isn’t sized properly on my Lenovo A1 or my phone. “I can read” is hidden behind the “Cancel” and “Read” buttons on the tablet and completely inaccessible on my phone.  When the app is run in ‘Read to me’ mode on my tablet, there is a glitch on the fourth page if ‘window’ is selected for ‘moon’, the app consistently crashes and closes.

I really like your apps.  Fixing these problems and allowing SD card storage will make them even better.

Thanks,

Roger Wagner CCC-SLP

Battery Saver App

I have been on the search for a good battery saver app this week.  I got fed up with the advertisements on Easy Battery Saver. In addition to the annoying ads within the program it has started putting ads in the notifications bar. I decided it was worth the 3 dollars to purchase an app without ads. My favorite feature of Easy Battery Saver was the easy access to turning on and off data, and of course the improved battery performance. Without a battery saver my phone and tablet last about a day and with them at least 2 days. 

So after much deliberation, I decided on GreenPower Premium. I tried the free version (with ads) first. I am happy so far. It has lots of good features. I ended up disabled having it control my Wi-Fi on my phone, so I can use it to quickly disable/enable my data. It can also disable or enable Wi-Fi/data for specific apps and has night options. My battery life is still around 2 days. If ads don't bother you, I suggest Easy Battery Saver which is free.

Caseload Data Tools an Excel file with Macros

Ok, so I have decided I will probably never be done, tinkering with my Excel file named Caseload Data Tools, but I have decided to release what I have so far to the public.  I first started using Excel to record the data of my students’ sessions over a year ago and this file has seen a lot of improvements since. This file includes macros (programs written inside Excel to automate tasks). With macros, I have hopefully simplified charting of student data and making individual worksheets for each student.  For more information about macros with Excel, check out my post here. There are lots of cells with red spots in the upper right corners. When you scroll over these, they display comments to help explain what to do and where to do it. Here is some (ok a lot) of the information. All the names and information in the pictures are fictitious, and were fabricated to illustrate how the file functions.  Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. You will need to enable macros in Excel to use most the the file's functions. 

The file starts with four sheets. The most important sheet in the file is ‘Caseload’.  Data entered into this sheet is copied into other worksheets. Goals, minutes etc. can be changed at any time here, and the information will automatically be changed in the other worksheets.  At the bare minimum student first names need to be entered. After students’ names are entered click “Click to here to make new client sheets”.

 Data can be entered into the client sheets (in Date, Target Area, and Percent and charted by clicking "Click here to make a Chart".

A macro creates a pivot chart. Data can be filtered by selected by selecting "Target Area" or "Date".

If one "Target Area" is selected, the chart can be changed to line graph by right clicking on the chart, selecting "Change Chart Type", then selecting "Line with Markers".

Line charts usually do not work, when there is more than one target area, because days when only one target area is tracked the other area is tracked as zero. "Cluster Column" works best with multiple target areas.

After you enter dates into the 'Attendance' sheet, minutes from the student sheets are automatically transferred into this sheet.

Goals from the 'Caseload' sheet are also in the 'Goals' sheet for easy printing.

The workbook also has a 'Schedule' sheet.  Without using macros only the 'Caseload', 'Schedule', 'Goals', and 'Attendance' will work. I should probably include a disclaimer, so I don't get sued or anything.  Macros contained in this Excel file are not intended to cause harm, but use at your own risk.  Hopefully you will find this file as useful as I do!