Speech with Milo: Sequencing by Doonan Speech Therapy is the newest Milo app. First of all, the pictures are pretty small on an iPod Touch. Some sequences are especially difficult to see well on that smaller screen (like' Tying a Shoe'). It is definitely better on the iPad. There are 36 sequences total and each one has three pictures. After putting the pictures in order the student can watch a short video of Milo (and his friend Melvin) acting out the sequence. My students love this video.
There are a few of the sequences that are difficult for several of my students to understand. Some of them just are not too clear. The sequence of 'Eating a Hamburger' is one example. It is definitely clearer on a larger screen but it required some explanation of the order for several of my students. After a few students expressed confusion about it I started to just skip it. I started making a list of the sequences to turn off or skip, especially for certain students.
The clapping when you put a picture in the right spot is very motivating. The whole group started clapping loudly along for each other. The sound the app makes when it is incorrect is also helpful.
One thing I would like to have is a sentence about each picture said aloud. You can touch the green button to hear the phrase of what is happening, such as, "Milo is tying his shoes." I don't see a way to have the app say something like, "First, Milo's shoes are untied. Second, Milo reaches down and ties his shoes. Last, Milo's shoes are tied."
You can turn on a hint under settings. The hint lists one sentence under each picture saying what is happening in that picture. The sentences also have and a), b), or c) before. Several of my students quickly figured out (and luckily told me) that they could just put the three pictures in order of A, B, C and be correct. They were not even looking at the picture! I'd love to have a way to have the sentences but not the a), b), and c) before them.
I have noted one potentially negative difference with using an app for sequencing versus actual cards. Many of my students moved the pictures to the spots without really looking at the sequence. They knew they would hear the positive clapping or negative beep. With actual cards they don't have that immediate reaction from me so they seem to put more thought into their answers. When a few specific students started doing this a lot I told them they could not watch the video if they had a 'wrong' beep (or, for some students, if they have more than one of the 'wrong' beeps). This helped them look more closely at the pictures before just trying one.
Overall, I really like this app. For the price of $2.99 you have 36 sequences. Sequencing seems to be universally difficult for students with language difficulties so this is definitely an app that can be used by SLPs and parents on a regualar basis. I would definitely recommend purchasing it if you have a child/student/client/patient who needs help with sequencing.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speech-with-milo-sequencing/id431803095?mt=8
I wish, too, that you could randomize the order of presentation. I have NEVER reached the end and it always starts with the same sequence.
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ReplyDeleteCarol, under the list of sequences you can turn 'random order' on and the sequences will come up in a random order.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS!! I often am so anxious to try these apps with my students that I don't research all the settings before beginning and then I've established a routine and 'wish' instead of actually looking. Lesson learned (I hope) :)
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