I have a plan. As mentioned a few times lately, Jamie can at times be challenging to enrich. She is always keeping us guessing and we are continually trying to find new ways to keep her occupied. Sometimes she will request something by stomping and pointing her finger (but not always directed at something specific). At those times us caregivers go through a list of popular enrichment activities to try and guess what Jamie wants. Sometimes she is satisfied with a new boot, a pen and paper, or a scarf. Sometimes we simply can’t figure out what it is she wants, and I always feel bad that I haven’t been able to satisfy her.
I’ve been talking to the other staff lately about having some sort of board or display with pictures of all of Jamie’s favorite items, and when she starts to request something, we present the board to her and she can point to the item she wants. It is completely possible that this idea won’t really work, but I think it is worth a shot.
So, today on my way to the sanctuary I began to brainstorm how I was going to construct this board. Maybe I would print pictures of all the items and use velcro to stick them to the board (so we could rotate what choices we can offer her based on what we have at the time). And then I thought—if we could have an album of pictures on an iPad, she could point to whatever item she wants and it would be super easy to change up the photos. Not to mention, iPads are just enriching in general. The chimps like to watch videos on the iPad, and they also think seeing themselves in the app “Photobooth” is pretty cool.
Awhile ago, we asked if people would be willing to donate their old iPad if they are planning on upgrading to a new one. Check out that blog post where Jackie describes our plan for creating a chimp-resistant case so it would be able to withstand repeated use by the chimps. We’d also be able to use it at tabling events to show people videos of the chimps, so there’s other things we could do with an iPad. Most importantly though, I think it would be excellent enrichment! Help me help Jamie (and Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jody, Missy, and Negra, too!)
Here is a video of Jamie enjoying a couple different apps on our personal devices—first a piano app on my iPhone, and secondly a drawing app on Jackie’s iPad. Foxie came down to join when I started to play a game of “Angry Birds” on my iPhone. I think she liked the goofy sounds.
Very creative idea. It amazes me just how intelligent the chimps are. I spent hours watching old videos you guys posted on the chimps. I loved the video where Jamie takes a boot, puts on her foot and leg, and walks around with it on. Thanks for sharing all the videos.
Have you seen those cases for ipads that are used in combat zones?
We have a set of ipads at school that are protected by these since the ipads are used by middle school students. I have no idea if they could withstand the abuse a chimp might impose on an ipad but it might be worth considering. I have no idea what they are called…..
Check with folks at Smithsonian where the orang-utans are using iPads. They might have case suggestions. I think Edinburgh and some others are using (presumably protected) tablets with chimpanzees, too. (maybe ask Steve Ross?) Kumamoto Sanctuary uses cognitive assessments via some kind of computer/tablet/device, too.
And this will come as NO surprise to anyone, but I think it would be cool to log whatever she does with it. You don’t even have to call it data if you don’t want to 🙂
Deb, I talked with the folks from Apps for Apes yesterday. They have some pretty cool things going on for the orangutans!
Check out OtterBox cases. That’s the cover we use at National and so far so good. I also have a list of ape approved apps if you’re interested. (Jackie, shoot me an another email!)
Thank you everyone for the wonderful suggestions! We have plans for a case – we just need an iPad to put in it! 😉
My suggestion would be to use a Nexus 7 or a Nexus 10 tablet rather than an iPad.
They cost much less (so it might be easier to find someone to donate them), they have brighter screens than the iPad (easier to see during bright days and/or outdoors) and they are more robust (both Nexus tablets use an hardened and anti-scratch glass made by Corning).
I’m not sure if you care about it but they also have much longer battery life.
They use the Android operating system and they have available for free in the Google Play store many of the same apps as the iPad (e.g. lots of different drawing apps, Angry Birds, etc).
Disclaimer: I work for a company involved in these tablets, so feel free to consider me biased (but all this is only my personal opinion, I’m not speaking for my employer).
Thank you for the suggestions Lino! It’s definitely worth considering.
Flash cards work good too, when I worked with non verbal,developmentally delayed children and adults,flash cards worked well as well. I think its great you all are coming up with a good plan of action for Jamie,
Yeah ok…there’s way more great ideas here than I could ever come up with…(or even understand) 🙂 Duh! Let’s just say I’m techy challenged! Have you ever put the screen up close enough so they can “draw” with a finger, or wouldn’t that work throught the caging??
I like the flash cards idea myself…but then, like I said, I’m TC!
Our idea is to let be able to let them touch the screen, once we’ve built a case that we can safely put up against the caging. We’d also like to have a device that is specifically for the chimps—not our personal devices.
So do you still need donations for an ipad or a donation of one? Have you ever considered a kindle fire?
We have not yet received a donated iPad or funds specifically dedicated to getting an iPad.
I hope you get one soon! Did you put this out on Facebook?
I am totally fascinated by communication between species – Koko was my favorite story when I was growing up. I would LOVE to see Jamie learning to tell you exactly what she wants by pointing to a picture. Looking forward to seeing the results of this endeavor!
I wanted to revisit this and see what if any progress has been made. Also can you let me know your thoughts on a kindle fire please. I may know of one available, but would like to know that it would work for u. I take my KF to the zoo and the chimps spend a good amount of time either watching a movie I show or me using a drawing app. I have video of both.
Thanks for the inquiry Kerri! We have talked with the folks who run “Apps for Apes” so we’re hoping to collaborate with them to get an iPad—nothing yet though. One thing the chimps seem to really like is the app “Photo Booth” or even just the camera that they can see themselves in. Of course the other apps like drawing, playing piano or drums, silly games, etc. would all be great too. The main plan though would be to create a photo album of all of Jamie’s favorite things to see if she would use it to let us know what she wanted, so ideally we’d also like something that can store lots of photos and have them split into albums. Since we have a Mac in the chimp house, we figured this would be easiest on an iPad synced with iPhoto, but if there’s other tablets with those features—we might be persuaded to check them out!