New Apps for LOTE

Sensai has requested that you install the 4 apps below ready for Term 2 Japanese lessons. Each of these are free apps now so best to install as soon as you can. If you wait, there's a chance they could become 'paid' apps in the meantime.

Japanese - Hiragana (hk2006) *many of you have this one already

 

Japanese - Kanji (18 kanjis) (hk2006)

 Sock Puppets (Smith Micro Software)

 Fotopedia Japan (Fotonauts)

Clicking the links will take you straight to the iTunes / App Store page for each app.

Thanks everyone!

Need your iPad to READ to you?

You know you can your iPad convert your speech to text. iPad 3s and later models have a microphone input tool on the keyboard. You can use the free Dragon Dictation app if you are using the iPad 2.

But did you know you can ask your iPad to read text to you? 

This feature can be invaluable as it allows developing readers to access information in written text that would be difficult for them to decode otherwise. All children need to learn to read independently, of course but it can be terribly frustrating and disheartening for a young reader to continually struggle to decode written information, when researching a topic for example, that may be beyond their current reading ability. The iPad's text to speech facility can level the playing field for a struggling reader.

Here's how...

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

With "Speak Selection" turned ON, any time text is selected (highlighted) it will automatically be spoken to you. This can be annoying if you wish to select text for other purposes (say, to edit fonts) in a document) so turn off the feature when you do not need it.

If you are using an older iPad, you can use VoiceOver to have text spoken. With VoiceOver turned on, any text you tap will be read to you. This means you have to use a double tap to open apps etc while VoiceOver is on. Again, the feature can be turned off when not required.

General > Accessibility > VoiceOver

There are also Text to Speech apps which may be useful on older iPads which do not have the "Speak Selection" feature.

R-E-A-D on your iPad

[Image Source: news.blogs.slv.vic.gov.au]

The iPad is a very useful eReading tool, especially for developing readers. The built-in iPad dictionary allows young readers to check word meanings within the text with a quick tap (no searching for dusty dictionary volumes) and font size can be adjusted to suit personal preference. If less text on the page is less daunting for your young reader, they can increase the font size and enjoy a more positive reading experience. A student can also widen their literary experience by listening to audio books. This is not 'cheating'. It is a valuable experience for students approaching the upper primary years to be able to enjoy a book in an area of interest, even though decoding the text may be beyond their current reading skills.

Buying eBooks and Audio books can be as expensive as purchasing the printed copies but did you know you can borrow eBooks and eAudio book recordings through Brisbane City Council libraries? With your BCC Library card, you can log in to the Digital Media site and browse Juvenile and Young Adult titles.

Click here to browse the Digital Media Collection

Borrow titles for up to 21 days at no cost. Borrowed media simply disappear from your collection once the borrowing period has expired so you will have no concerns about accumulating overdue fees.

[Image Source: www.stylingyou.com.au]

Some cautions:

• Due to the wide variety of digital media file types on offer, you may need to install a couple of extra FREE apps to allow you to read or play borrowed files. Follow instructions in the Digital Collection site and be assured that Overdrive and Adobe apps are perfectly safe to download from this site.
• Parents please supervise students and check what they are borrowing. As in any public library, there are many adult titles available. The above link will take you to the Juvenile and Young Adult section but does not restrict access to these sections.
• Finally, a reminder that unfortunately it is not advisable to read eBooks in the bath!

[Image Source: techli.com]