DISD Turns to iPods For Speech Therapy
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Tue, 07/24/2007 - 19:32.
[From a press release:]
The use of portable digital audio players with video capabilities (iPods) is boosting the achievement of some Dallas ISD students who have problems pronouncing the sounds of letters correctly.
Since last fall, speech therapists have been recording and uploading speech therapy lessons for 10 students, who then take the iPods home. In a way, they are taking their speech therapist home—the next best thing.
At home, they listen to their therapists’ instructions and can observe their mouth movements on the iPod screen before repeating the sounds themselves.
Parents have given positive comments to the therapists about how the iPods are helping their children improve their speech.
Claudia Huerta, mother of second-grader Jacob Huerta, says Jacob’s speech has improved. In addition, she can see what Jacob is working on at school, goes over the lessons with him, and then helps him practice.
Using the iPods to enhance speech therapy lessons is a pilot program of the district’s Special Education Department.
[Ed Note: DISD has long been a leader and innovator in Special Education, but this is exceptionally cool!]
IPODS for Speech Therapy
This is a good idea and I hope they open it up to all speech therapy students including for kids that stutter. They can practice their relaxation techniques. I also hope all of DISD therapist will participate.
[Ed Note: Ironically, if you compare the cost of an iPod (cool) to the cost of a tutor (un-cool -- sorry guys, but I'd rather wear a cool iPod and spend a weekend working on my speech), this is probably one of the best money-saving ideas someone's come up with. Somebody tell us who came up with it. They deserve major kudos.]
Hope They Didn't Use a PCard!
Buy the I pods on a Pcard. :)
[Ed Note: Oooh! Low Blow! No, the PCards are history for now. If they want to know how to do a PCard program right, they need to talk to Mark Deubner and Mary Suhm at the City of Dallas. They have perfected the art of destroying those who abuse the city's money!]