***10/27/2015 update: Congratulations to Stephanie and Sherrie who won a copy of the narrative assessment apps!***
A quick note, the Pen Pal project received over 400 match requests! Gabby and I are thrilled and a bit overwhelmed. We had promised you would receive your match by this Friday, but please be patient while we wade our way through the submissions!
I have such a treat for you! I’ve had lots of kids that struggle with narrative skills–from sequencing to creating an appropriate story structure to limited vocabulary and description. We work on it and make progress, but I didn’t have a set assessment tool that I’d use as a baseline. I’ve looked at several, but since I’m responsible for my own tools the cost has been prohibitive (I need the “big” tests to stop coming out with revisions so I can afford additional “add-on” type tests!). Then I found that Black Sheep Press offered “Peter and the Cat” and “The Squirrel Story” on the iPad. Not only was it more reasonable, but no books/forms to store. Yes, please!
I’ve used both for initial assessments with several students. Here’s how they work.
The child listens to the story being told by the reader. There are options for different English voices–American, English, Australian. The illustrations are adorable. The stories are engaging and detailed with a clear problem and solution.
Once the child has heard the entire story, you record their retelling using the same illustrations as prompts (no text appears on the pages). It’s eye-opening. I’ve had a couple of kids initially refuse to try because they know it will be a toughie for them.
Save the recorded retelling and opt to transcribe later. (Unless you have some magical ability to do the transcription then and there. Please share if you have a time saving system!) You also have the option to send the recording as a backup. The transcription (not phonetic, just text) goes fairly quickly and you break it into three sections–introduction, problem and event sequence, resolution.
Now, the app will take you through a series of pages in which to make a descriptive determination about the child’s skill. For instance, you start with Story Structure and assign a level of skill from 0 to 3. There are descriptions of what each number represents skillwise. You move on to Story Content, Vocabulary, Connectors, Referencing, etc. Several pages will also have you tick off specific words that could have been used from the originally story telling. It’s fascinating to realize that a child who may have had a pretty good grasp on structure actually used very limited vocabulary on their retelling.
The app pulls together a rudimentary report (it’s lack of formatting is one of the few weaknesses) which you can then save and/or share. It’s quick, easy and gives a wealth of information that allows you to formulate better goals for language therapy.
“Peter and the Cat” (version 1.5) is designed for ages 5-9. “The Squirrel Story” (version 1.3) is for ages 3-6. Both run $23.99 in the app store.
I purchased my own copies–all opinions expressed are strictly my own–then reached out to the publisher to receive a free code for each to giveaway! To enter, imagine you are buying an app to use with your clients, rate in order of importance the following characteristics:
- The look of the app
- Ease of use
- Confidentiality–password protected
- National accent of a narrator
- (optional) Other–please explain!
You have until midnight on October 26, 2015 to enter. The winners will be drawn at random and announced on October 27th. Good luck!
This Post Has 43 Comments
(Most important to least important)
Ease of use
The look of the app
Confidentiality–password protected
National accent of a narrator
(optional) Other–please explain!
1. Ease of use
2. The look of the app
3. National accent of a narrator
4. Confidentiality–password protected
5. Illustrations/graphics that are “kid friendly”
Ease of use
Confidentiality–password protected
The look of the app
National accent of a narrator
Can I save data to Dropbox or Google drive?
Rated from most important to least important
Ease of use
(optional) Other–Either takes/tracks or saves data
The look of the app
Confidentiality–password protected
National accent of a narrator
This looks like a fantastic tool!
Ease of use
The look of the app
National accent of a narrator
Confidentiality–password protected
(optional) Other–please explain!
Hi Kim – thanks for the chance at a win 🙂
Ease of use
Look of the app
Accent of the narrator
Other —is it applicable to many students?
Confidentiality
Most important to least important
Ease of use
Other: able to provide relevant data
The look of the app
Confidentiality–password protected
National accent of a narrator
Thank you!
QUICK WAY TO TRANSCRIBE!
Go to transcribe page, play a bit of the recording, stop & DICTATE – tap the microphone to the left of the spacebar. Then play the next bit & so on to the end.
Thanks to Suzie Leitao, author of the pack for reminding me!
See Transcribe on http://www.blacksheeppress.co.uk/support
See video of transcribing on Peter & the Cat:
https://blacksheeppress.wistia.com/medias/oq8cul73pm
Here is how I WOULD rate:
ease of use
look of app
accent of narrator
confidentiality
other
(Sorry for the all caps entry- had caps lock off, but still came out in all caps)
Ease of use
Look of the app
Other – “cultural language” used/dialect. I live in an area where standard American English is just not used by most of my students. While I always give them the correct model and require it in therapy, sometimes it would be nice for them to hear that someone is “fixin’ to….”, meaning they are about to do something (e.g., “I’m fixin’ to go outside.”).
Other – ability to take or track data
Accent of narrator
Confidentiality
For my primarily preschool caseload, the criteria I use to purchase apps is as follows:
1.Other: The functionality of the app- can I use it for multiple goals? Is it engaging for low-functioning students?
2. Ease of use- how well can my kiddos interact with it? Does it require me to sign in every time I try to use it?
3. National accent of a narrator- I prefer a Standard American English accent to start with, but then I enjoy having my kiddos listen to the book in another accent to give them a different perspective.
4. Confidentiality–password protected (*in general, this isn’t critical for most apps, because I use single letters to identify kiddos to maintain confidentiality, but it would be very important for the particular app you reviewed since it would have the children’s voices on it)
Hi Gill
This app is password protected.
Ease of use
The look of the app
National accent of a narrator
Confidentiality–password protected
1. Ease of use
2. The look of the app – age/ cognitive level appropriate
3. (optional) Other–please explain! Able to track data or keep data on many (over 25)kids
4. National accent of a narrator
5. Confidentiality–password protected
Ease of use
The look of the app
Confidentiality–password protected
National accent of a narrator
Thank you!
Ease, look , password protected and accent.
I would rank it like this:
Ease of use
The look of the app
Confidentiality–password protected
National accent of a narrator
1. Ease of use
2. Other- a illy to use it in for multiple uses
3. The look of the app
4. Confidentiality–password protected
5. National accent of a narrator
1. Ease of use
2. The look of the app
3. National accent of a narrator
4. Other: Can it be used by multiple students, and multiple times?
5. Confidentiality–password protected
Also-Kim: is this a “one-time use/student” app, or are there additional/follow-up passages?
Thanks for the chance to win!
Hi, Lisa! It’s a true assessment app, meaning you would administer maybe every 6-12 months. Each story is pretty involved. While your students might remember the general gist of the story–cat stuck in a tree, boy tries to save, they both require rescue–they’ll never “learn” the test. Each administration, I’m sure, would demonstrate an increase in complexity of vocabulary (or not), complexity of sentence structure (or not), in addition to the depth of their retelling. Were they able to give you a cohesive cause-effect sequence? Were they able to go more in-depth and include character perspectives? Are they at a point where they can add their own spin or expressions or a bit of drama to their telling? So much to consider! Best of luck to you! Kim
1) Other – possibility to record own audio – as a Dane I have no use of an English audio, alas!
2) Ease of use
3) The look of the app
1. cost and ability to use with multiple students
2. Ease of use
3. The look of the app
4.Confidentiality–password protected
5.National accent of a narrator
Rate in order of importance the following characteristics:
1. Ease of use
2. The look of the app
3. Confidentiality–password protected
4. National accent of a narrator
What an inexpensive way to assess and give age equivalents which are vital for insurance purposes. I totally get having to pay everything out of pocket!!
For me, this is the order
1) ease of use
2) confidentiality with PW
3) ability to record the information and send it
4) look of app
5) national accent
Thanks for introducing me to this great app!
1. Ease of Use
2. Other: Capacity for targeting a variety of goals
3. Other: Requirement or time for student to verbalize and not just silently play a game
4. Other: Reasonable cost
5. The look of the app
6. National accent of a narrator (standard American English – especially important for phonological awareness/reading apps)
7. Confidentiality–password protected – not usually something I need
4. The look of the app — i think this applies to engaging interest of the kids more than the SLP! The app does need to hold the student/s attention!
1. Ease of use — both for child and for therapist!
2. Confidentiality–password protected– more important to save and send data email.
5. National accent of a narrator — not important unless the child cannot understand. if read slowly for kids, it shouldn’t be a problem.
3. (optional) Other–customization — need to be able to use with both groups and individuals; customize words/ lessons etc. Cost is a major consideration too!
1. The look of the app – engaging students is the first step!
2. Ease of use – who has time for something more difficult than it needs to be!
3. Confidentiality – always very important
4. National accent of a narrator – should not be too distracting from the story
Thanks for the chance to win!
Ease of use
Other– Tracks/saves data
The look of the app
Confidentiality–password protected
National accent of narrator
Most important first…
1. The look of the app
2. Ease of use
3. National accent of a narrator
4. Confidentiality–password protected
5. Topic and context and culturally appropriate pictures/scenarios that children from different cultures and home backgrounds can all easily relate to – I cannot buy apps that are only relevant to a small group of children because they are pricey.
(sorry to post twice – I managed to write my e-mail address incorrectly in the first post then pressed to post and it wouldn’t let me delete to add the correct info.!)
Fixed it! Let me know if I deleted the wrong one!
My choices:
Ease of use
Look of app
National accent
Other-data tracking or gathering
Confidentiality
This looks great! I think #1 – the ease of use is nearly always the most important if you’re using the app for assessment purposes. #2 – the look is important so that the app is engaging #3 – the accent may make a difference #4 – the cost is important because I have to pay for my own apps #5 – confidentiality
1). The look of the app – it has to be engaging for the student
2) Other – I love apps that can track data over time and can be used with multiple students. It’s a lot to ask for but really worthwhile if there are multiple goals and levels.
3) Ease of use – I usually direct the student through the apps, but it needs to flow well because we need to be more focused on the student, than the app itself
4) National accent of a narrator – important so that the student is familiar with the accent. I have had students tell me that they don’t understand their teachers because of their accents. Our students do better when there is less to decipher.
5) Confidentiality–password protected – not as critical since my iPad is already password protected and I don’t give it out to anyone
Ease of use
The look of the app
Other:the cost
National accent of a narrator
Confidentiality–password protected
Most to least
1. Ease of use
2. Other- cost
3. Look of the app
4.National accent of the narrator
5.Confidentiality- password protected
1. Ease of use
2. The look of the app
3. National accent of a narrator
4. Confidentiality–password protected
5. Appropriate graphics
Other -Price
The look of the app- needs to be fun/engaging for students!
Ease of use
National accent of a narrator
Confidentiality–password protected
Most important to least important:
1. Option to have the app in multiple languages for a diverse clientele
2. Ease of use
3. The look of the app (this is related to ease of use in that a user inferface that is both easy and attention-grabbing for kids is ideal)
4. National accent of a narrator
5. Confidentiality–password protected
We need more apps for our urban communities! Thank you.
1. Ease of use
2. The look of the app
3. National accent of a narrator
4. Confidentiality–password protected
Here’s what I would look at:
1. Ease of use
2. National accent of a narrator
3. The look of the app
4. Confidentiality–password protected
5. Other–price
Both of these apps are new to me so thanks for letting me know about them!
Ease of use
Look of the app
National accent of the narrator
Confidentiality – password protected
Other – price
1. Ease of use
2. The look of the app
3. National accent of a narrator
4. Confidentiality–password
Comments are closed.