Nicole's Picks #3

Fun with Directions

This app is designed for practice in speech and language and listening and following directions.  It also gives extra practice in colors, spatial concepts memory skills and auditory processing.  By turning off the text command, the user has to rely on listening to the directions. 

There are 3 levels of directions- easy, intermediate and advanced.  An example of an easy direction (which is one action + one object) is “Touch the chicken”.  An intermediate direction (which is one action + one description) is “Give the girl something that goes on your head.”  An example of an advanced direction (which is one action + one advanced description) is “With your blue crayon, color the furry animal that likes to chew on a bone.”  For students that need further support on multi-step directions, the advanced directions provide this additional practice.  There are 10 different concepts: open, close, touch, give, color, erase, push, top, bottom and middle.

I like this app because it is wonderful for any student who needs further support in listening and following directions.   The graphics are bright and clear and life-like.  It is also great for those students who need further support in spatial sense and multi-step directions.  When the user successfully completes the direction, the object makes its noise, such as a train that blows its whistle, or the girl will give say thank you.  If the user has difficulty with the direction, no sound is made, indicating that they must try again.  There is also a “Hear again” button, which is a great addition to the game.  This is a very easy app to use and students can easily use this app on their own. 

One very neat feature is the Superstar Direction.  These directions pop up at different times (this option can be turned off), prompting the user to repeat the direction verbally.  The response is recorded and then played back.  This feature provides support in memory practice and expressive language.

There is a free Lite version, which allows the user to try out the app first before deciding if they would like to purchase the app for $5.99.  In the Lite version, only 2 concepts are covered: give and touch.  This is the only major difference between the two apps.  There are still the 3 levels and the Superstar Direction.  As there are very little differences between the two versions, I would recommend using the Lite version first and then if you like the app, purchase the complete version. 

Overall, a wonderful app and one I recommend!