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Developing a Framework for App Evaluation: Empowering Learning and Communication with iPads for Children and Young People with Communication Impairments

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Building Sustainable Health Ecosystems (WIS 2016)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 636))

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Abstract

This paper presents an overview of a two-year collaborative partnership project between Manchester Metropolitan University and three specialist schools in Manchester, UK. The purpose of the research was to work with a varied group of children and young people experiencing communication impairments and learning disabilities to gain an insight into their needs and subsequently to develop iPad based resources and an App evaluation framework for staff and carers supporting them.

The underpinning rationale of the project was to integrate iPads into the learning environment to provide opportunities for children and young people to further develop their skills and communication through the use of new technologies; where this was likely to enhance current practices. This paper outlines the successes and challenges raised by the project, as well as future developments and potential wider implications for iPad usage for this particular group.

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Acknowledgments

This study was part-funded by both Manchester Metropolitan University and Health Education North West.

The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of each of the three specialist partnership schools and the Manchester Metropolitan University staff and students who contributed to the research project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK

    Claire Hamshire & Julie Lachkovic

Authors
  1. Claire Hamshire
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  2. Julie Lachkovic
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claire Hamshire .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Hongxiu Li

  2. University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland

    Pirkko Nykänen

  3. University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Reima Suomi

  4. Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia

    Nilmini Wickramasinghe

  5. Ã…bo Academi University, Turku, Finland

    Gunilla Widén

  6. Ã…bo Academi University, Turku, Finland

    Ming Zhan

Appendix 1: App Evaluation Matrix

Appendix 1: App Evaluation Matrix

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Hamshire, C., Lachkovic, J. (2016). Developing a Framework for App Evaluation: Empowering Learning and Communication with iPads for Children and Young People with Communication Impairments. In: Li, H., Nykänen, P., Suomi, R., Wickramasinghe, N., Widén, G., Zhan, M. (eds) Building Sustainable Health Ecosystems. WIS 2016. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 636. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44672-1_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44672-1_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-44671-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-44672-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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