Promoting Middle School Students’ Engagement Through Incorporating iPad Apps in EFL/ESL Classes

The use of iPad and other handheld devices in classrooms is spreading. Their use can empower learners and expose them to a plethora of resources. Yet, when it comes to learning a foreign language, reasonably little has been done to empirically ascertain the influence of iPad apps on facilitating language learning as well as engaging language learners. Thus, this study endeavored to illumine the extent to which a selection of iPad applications, used as a pedagogical tool, augment young learners’ engagement and learning in English as a foreign language (EFL) environments. The participants were a group of 20 middle school girls in Saudi Arabia. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach by utilizing a self-reported Likert-type scale questionnaire divided into three constructs, namely, helpfulness, ease of use, and engagement to measure learners’ perception after the intervention of the iPad apps. In addition, observational data were gathered to record students’ primary actions toward the apps. Ultimately, based on the statistical evidence, learners exhibited highly positive attitudes toward the use of the apps in their EFL classes (reading and vocabulary) as they found the apps bolstering their level of engagement and learning compared to traditional teaching paradigms. It was also found that the apps helped foster more active learning in the classroom. This investigation hopes to assist EFL/English as a second language (ESL) practitioners, particularly in the growing domain of iPads in education.

Perinatal Music Therapy: Using Doppler Recordings to Connect and Create

Often the first sound of human life occurs in prenatal care when a Doppler ultrasound devicedetects the baby’s heartbeat. In late 2013 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Brian Schreck, MA, MT-BC, piloted an innovative music therapy intervention that involved recording internal sounds of a patient’s life to create music with patients and their families. Many devices were explored and adapted: Doppler ultrasound devices, iPad apps, a constructed stethoscope microphone, an electronic stethoscope with Bluetooth, and other digital stethoscopes to record patients’ hearts beating and lungs breathing. This intervention aims to capture moments in time which may be preserved for future connection with the patient and family.

The use of free non-dementia-specific Apps on iPad to conduct group communication exercises for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (Innovative Practice)

This study examined the use of various iPad Apps to conduct group cognitive exercises for clients with mild or early stage dementia of Alzheimer’s type. A list of free non-dementia-specific Apps suitable for group sessions was compiled. The procedures in choosing these Apps and determining the most successful ones for group exercises were discussed. Based on participants’ and professionals’ responses to the use of these Apps, the results would render practitioners useful guidelines in replicating and running technology-based training for individuals with dementia.

A PILOT STUDY ON THETA FREQUENCY OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENT PLAYING ACTIVITIES AT PREFRONTAL CORTEX

Theta frequency at the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is often related to the cognitive process in early childhood. In the present study, we focused on the types of playing activities that could enhance the theta frequency in preschoolers at their PFC area with study on individual brainwaves. The selected playing activities included LEGO and wooden blocks with and without instruction, iPad apps and flash card comparison. A total of 12 individual cases were analyzed in this study. The mean theta amplitudes of their PFC were measured by an electroencephalogram (EEG). Children brainwaves showed profoundly high theta frequency while playing LEGO without guidance. Meanwhile, tablet-based computer educational tool with pictures, sound, and motion initiated greater theta frequency as compared to the conventional flash card. Brainwaves analysis is a great tool to determine the cognitive development of children, based on the types of activities allocated to them.