Software >> Cause and Effect

 

SwitchIt! Extra Software
 

About Switching

 

The SwitchIt! Extra Series provides lots of fun cause and effect activities for young learners, those with special needs, and those at an early developmental stage. They can be accessed in lots of ways — the mouse, keyboard, touch monitor, IntelliKeys, or one or two switches — and provide plenty of motivation to help the user engage with the computer.
 

The programs help learners to increase their ability to use switches and to demonstrate an understanding of language concepts. In addition they help stimulate and encourage movement and hand function, develop visual skills, and provide learners with access to a range of learning situations - particularly those limited in physical movement who cannot access traditional methods.

Learning about cause and effect is the first step in switch operation: the user needs to develop an awareness of the relationship between their switch presses and the resulting reward. Some learners grasp this immediately while others require lots of practice with a wide variety of activities. The SwitchIt! Series provides plenty of opportunities to learn and develop this skill in a visually stimulating and appealing environment.

 

 

 

Activities

All of the SwitchIt! activities have bright, dynamic screen displays that attract the user’s attention while sound and speech feedback, along with animated reward scenes, encourage them to engage with the computer. They also provide access to various curriculum subjects.

Each activity has been designed to provide opportunities for language development. An adult would work alongside the child to make sure that the child gains maximum benefit from the program.

 

Flash Cards

 

 

‘Flash Cards’ are single images taken from the program’s theme. They appear on screen in response to switch presses, with an additional press to hear the accompanying text spoken.

 

Picture Builds

 

    

 

‘Picture Builds’ create composite pictures piece by piece, in response to switch presses. You can vary the number of presses required in order to build the complete picture. When it is complete, the user is rewarded by lots of exciting animation and sound.

 

Stories

 

    

 

‘Stories’ are stepped, animated sequences that are revealed in response to switch presses. There are four-second pauses between each step, to encourage students to watch and understand the unfolding story. You can use these to discuss what the characters are doing and why.

 

Additional Resources

Opportunities should be taken to extend a child's work with switches away from the computer and each SwitchIt! Extra now comes complete with worksheets and resources, using characters and objects from the program.

The off-computer resources can also be helpful in checking that the child understands what they are seeing on the screen and is relating it to everyday objects.

There are also additional computer activities, to extend the learning opportunities provided by the Flash Cards, Picture Builds and Stories.

 

 

SwitchIt! Extra Software

 

SwitchIt! Weather Extra explores the theme of the weather and its effects, such as keeping warm and avoiding sunburn.It includes exciting phenomena like rainbows and thunderstorms and, of course, having fun - whatever the weather! You can even go sledging or jump in a big puddle.There are 12 stories, 15 pictures to build and 30 computer ‘flash cards’, all on the weather theme.

 

Price - R1,200

 

 

This program has the theme of rural studies and looks at farm animals, their young and where they live. It also looks at the kind of jobs that are carried out in a farm environment. The program includes cow and calf, sheep and lamb, hen and chick, pig and piglets, duck and ducklings, goat and kid, and many other animals to motivate your learners and include them in the requirements of the National Curriculum. It also includes arable farming activities such as ploughing, sowing and picking apples. There are 12 stories, 14 pictures to build and 30 computer ‘flash cards’, all on the farming theme.

 

Price - R1,200

 

 

SwitchIt! People Extra explores the theme of people and the jobs they do. Learn how different people help us in everyday life and the things they use in their jobs. We learn all about how the nurse, lollipop lady, supermarket checkout assistant, the police force and others carry out their work. There are 12 stories, 13 pictures to build and 30 computer ‘flash cards’, all on the 'people' theme.

 

Price - R1,200

 

 

SwitchIt! Hygiene Extra provides accessible, informative activities all about the theme of personal hygiene. It is a great way of making the PHSE curriculum accessible to learners with different special needs. Your pupils can learn about showering, hair care, clean clothes, food hygiene, cleaning their teeth, dressing up and many more aspects of personal hygiene. Each activity shows different aspects of personal hygiene in context, to demonstrate why each activity is necessary. The program also provides numerous opportunities for discussion. The activities are entertaining as well as educational, to provide the motivation to get involved! The program is intended for ages ten upwards. There are 12 stories, 14 pictures to build and 30 computer ‘flash cards’, all on the hygiene theme.

 

Price - R1,200

 

 

SwitchIt! Wildlife Extra is an exciting new program that looks at different habitats across the world, the kind of animals that live there and their characteristics, behaviour and diet. Now switch users can explore the African savannah, see crocodiles in an Australian swamp or see how seals live in the Arctic. Many different animals are covered, including mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and fish. Look at the food chain — what does the hedgehog eat, and how does he avoid being eaten? Also think about camouflage and different methods of hunting for food. Discuss issues of habitat, endangerment and animal protection. What will happen to the chimps if the bulldozer destroys all their trees? What can frogs tell us about life cycles — and why does the male peacock look different from the female? There are lots of computer flash cards, pictures to build and stories, all on the wildlife theme.

 

Price - R1,200

 

 

SwitchIt! Christmas Extra has all the joys of the festive season in a fun packed, educational and switch accessible program. Your learners can build a snowman, watch carol singers, pull a cracker, see Santa on his adventures down a chimney and decorate the tree — all on-screen and with the addition of entertaining sound rewards. See New Year celebrations and fireworks too. There are 12 festive stories, 14 seasonal pictures to build and numerous computer ‘flash cards’, all on the theme of Christmas and the New Year.

 

Price - R1,200

 

 

SwitchIt! Transport Extra explores different modes of transportation

See all kinds of modes of transport in this motivating new program. Join in the countdown and see the rocket launch, see the truck being loaded by the forklift or go on holiday on the aeroplane. Raise the sail in the dinghy. Will the wind blow, or will you get blown over by the speedboat?

Experience an exciting helicopter rescue at sea, complete with sharks. Also includes a ferry, car, cherry picker, school bus, taxi and train. See the builders and their digger - watch out for the water pipe!

Discuss issues of transportation. Does the vehicle travel by land, sea or by air? Will they have to pay and will they make it on time?

There are 12 stories, 12 pictures to build and 30 computer ‘flash cards’, all on the 'transport' theme.

 

 

Price - R1,200

 

 

SwitchIt! Dinosaurs Extra explores different prehistoric creatures.

Encounter lots of fascinating creatures in this exciting addition to the SwitchIt! series. Look at the dinosaurs' behaviour, their habitat and how they hunt or forage.

See the pterodactyl catch fish to eat - but what eats the pterodactyl? What happens when the cavemen encounter a sabre toothed tiger? See if anyone can roar louder than the tyrannosaurus rex, and find out if the mammoth can rescue her baby from the tar pit. Watch as the mollusca turns into a fossil.

This accessible program also covers a brontosaurus, triceratops, velociraptor, stegosaurus and more.

There are 12 stories, 12 pictures to build and 30 computer ‘flash cards’, all on the 'dinosaur' theme.

 

 

Price - R1,200

 

Please note that due to the ever fluctuating exchange rates all prices are approximates and are subject to change. Please contact us directly should you require an official quote.