Webinar - Fine Motor Skills

I still can't hold my pen properly

It is so unfortunate that this course only last less than three weeks. I am surrounded by so many valuable information (teaching tools) but, I do not have to time to digest and experiment with all of them. I enjoyed today’s webinar on Fine Motor Skills. Many of my former students would have benefited from Apps such as Write Pad, Touch and Write or Dexteria. The students I am thinking about cannot write quickly or properly. I could not figure out half of the things they would write on paper. Their hand writing is sloppy (information output is incomprehensible). In many cases, I would suggest to these students to type their work and submit it a day or two late. With others, I would have to sit next to them to write down what they wanted to say (weak motor skills). To type their text on the computer would have taken too much time.

Next year, I do intend to let students use their iPod Touch or iPhone (if they have one) to utilize some of the App I mentioned above. The one I will most likely use first is the Write Pad. This App can be use in different languages such as French, English and Spanish... just to name a few.

My top 3 Apps (Fine Motor Skills)

1) Write Pad (Cost: $9.99)

 This App is ideal for students with poor written output. Students can convert their handwriting (cursive or print) to text). A stylus or finger can be used with the Write Pad App. Another positive element of the Write Pad App is that it does include word prediction. This App is perfect for Junior High School students.

 

2) Dexteria (Cost: $4.99)

The Dexteria App can be used with the iPod Touch, iPad or iPhone. This App can support students by increasing motor skills and writing abilities. Users have the option of using their fingers or a stylus with the Dexteria App. The use of a stylus or fingers is perfect when one is trying to develop dexterity, finger sequencing and movement control.

3) Touch and Write (Cost: FREE)

Users can learn their numbers, letters and words with the Touch and Write App. Like the other App listed above, the Touch and Write App reinforce writing skills in young learners. A high frequency word list is available on this App. Users can also input their own word list on Touch and Write. Finally, Touch and Write is engaging, fun and taps in students’ creativity. This App helps learners with their hand eye coordination while reinforcing vocabulary skills.