Software - Early Learning

 

Where do learners start?

The learner with complex needs may need a lot of help and encouragement to develop an understanding of themselves, let alone an awareness of their surroundings. The classroom can often be an overwhelming experience and we may need to consider the use of a carefully controlled learning environment. This may be beneficial as the child can be given visual and auditory experiences in a situation where they are comfortable and feel secure. Care must be taken to ensure that we do not overload the child with a bombardment of sensory experiences but give them lots of time to absorb and make sense of what is going on. When we find things that elicit positive responses we can consider introducing some control, through the use of switches.

 Switches...Where do you Start?

Switches can provide access to engaging and motivating activities on a computer. A wide range of software is available which can be tailored specifically to meet the access and cognitive needs of the learner. Switches come in many different sizes, shapes and colours designed to be activated by a range of body movements. Switch interfaces:

Switch tapping and banging. Some learners repeatedly tap or bang the switch. There are a number of reasons why this might be happening.

• The learner does not understand the task.
In this instance you might like to return to using switches with more concrete effects such as fans, vibration or battery toys using the momentary method of activation if physically appropriate.
• The learner is being stimulated by the auditory and tactile feedback from the switch.
You could try using the momentary activation method where the child has to keep the switch pressed to receive the reward. Replacing the switch with a Pal Pad switch that provides no auditory or tactile feedback can often help.
• The learner is not motivated by the activity.
Try using other software or better still make an activity with SwitchIt! Maker 2 using images and sounds from known motivators. Remember that software such as the SwitchIt! Extra series and Big Bang enable you to select which animations are played when the switch is pressed. Careful observation can help you identify those animations the learner finds stimulating.

It is good practice to always encourage the learner to move their hand away from the switch after it has been pressed.

 

  

Abrakadabra

 

Abrakadabra is designed to help develop visual perception skills, early switch techniques and language development.

It is suitable for all ages and as a focus for language development. It is a cause and effect program with superb graphics and sound.

Three levels of difficulty (simple graphics to complex scenes) each with ten different scenes to build.

There are 30 different pictures that are built up in stages by pressing a switch, clicking a mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard. If you have an IntelliKeys Classic or IntelliKeys USB keyboard, the Standard Arrows overlay can be used, and switches connected will operate correctly. Each time the switch/key/mouse is pressed more of the image will be built up. When the picture is complete a sound and an animation will play. The sound/animation will continue until the switch/key/mouse is pressed again.

Touch monitor, switch, keyboard or mouse

 

 

Price - R930

 

Big Bang

 

A superb collection of cause and effect activities for students with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Big Bang has eye catching images, stimulating movement and crazy sound effects and music to match! It grabs the user's attention and encourages interaction with the computer.

Visual and auditory stimulation, visual tracking and more...

Big Bang Action has explosive animated fireworks, flying bubbles and stars, and wiggling worms. Or build up the action gradually by pressing a switch, with Big Bang Builds. See crazy objects moving around the screen in Big Bang Movement or simply change the colour of the screen with Big Bang Colour.

Animations and picture builds can be played in different ways to suit the learner. Use switch, IntelliKeys, keyboard, touch screen or mouse.

 

 

Price - R930

 

Happy Duck

 

A delightful cause and effect program from Sweden, re-published in English by Inclusive Technology.

Designed for early learning, language development and switch training.

It was given its name by a young user who was trialling the software: "I want to play the happy duck".

The program contains 45 images of everyday objects, animals and vehicles. These images can be used in a number of different ways.

Sound effects are used as prompts or as a reward:

 - Display coloured images in turn by pressing a key or switch

 - Colour in the images by pressing a key or switch

 - Hide an image behind a cloud, discuss what it might be and then reveal it

The program is designed to be as flexible as possible and is fully configurable:

- Which activity is presented

- Which control buttons are displayed for the user

- How sound effects are used

- Length of pause between actions

Choose to colour, step-by-step, all, or a selection of 45 different line drawings. Complete with sound effects and a final sound reward. Choose whether to complete the picture with one switch press, several, or just to present the coloured images one after another.

A second option allows the picture to be partially hidden by a cloud. Can you identify it? The first switch press will give sound clue, and the second will reveal the picture.

Access from keyboard, mouse, touchscreen or overlay keyboard. Switch access with IntelliKeys or Mouser. - single switch, two, three or five switches.

 

 

Price - R930 (5 User copy)

 

K-1

 

K-1 Image Build a kaleidoscope and create beautiful, original designs. Simply relax as the ever changing patterns delight and inspire you.

Choice of ‘jewels’, background colour and music. Bright, contrasting colours and large buttons.

Configurable for a wide range of ages and abilities - from cause and effect to graphic design. Mouse, touch monitor, keyboard or switch.

 

 

 

Price - R600
 

Beginner software.

Switch timing
So far all of our work has focused on the child pressing a switch or touching a screen to make something happen. Switch timing programmes such as Switch Skills 1 introduce a further skill, that of learning to press the switch in response to a computer generated cue. This is a very useful skill and a precursor to learning to scan with a single switch. Switch timing is not for everyone, however. Learners with severe motor difficulties may find it difficult, if not impossible, to coordinate their movements to press a switch within a given time.

Switch timing programmes are often presented as games. The child is encouraged to look and listen, waiting for a cue to press the switch. The cue can take the form of something popping onto the screen at set intervals (timing) as in Switch Skills 1 – can the child press the switch when the racing car appears? Alternatively, the cue could arise from the positioning of something on the screen such as catching a fly in Spot On Games (targeting). Remember to use the programme options to set the length of time the cue will remain on the screen. Don’t be tempted to start with a very long reveal time; it is always better to start with a short reveal time then increase it if the child finds it difficult to manage.
Switch timing programmes help learners develop their looking and listening skills, building on previous switch work and reinforcing the skills they will need as they move towards choice making.
Some programmes with auditory scanning provide extra reinforcement to the user when each object is scanned. This is especially important for people with visual impairments.

 

 

Switch Skills 1

 

This collection of easy switch timing activities is fun for all ages.

 

The activities have exciting themes that provide all the motivation needed to help students who understand cause and effect to develop more disciplined switch use. The activities also encourage speaking and listening and help develop concentration skills. The bright, clear graphics are suitable for those with visual impairment and there is lots of sound and music too.

 

Racing cars: press when you see a car, to make it race.
Gorilla: press when you see the fruit.
Soccer Shoot: press to kick the ball.
Ready Steady Go: press when the traffic light turns green and you hear "Go!"
Catch the Crocs: press your switch when you see a crocodile. Can you get all six?
Monster House: an introduction to switch scanning. Choose a door and press to see if a monster is inside.
Sunflower: press when the bee reaches the middle of the flower.

 

The program keeps statistics about student performance and the options allow you to make the games more difficult as the student progresses.

 

Price - R930

 

Touch Balloons

 

Touch Balloons Fun for all ages! Develop hand-eye coordination skills by popping balloons as they float past. Use the mouse, touch monitor or switch to target and burst the balloons. Choose a large pointer or a cross-hair to aim.

An extensive menu allows you to choose direction of travel - up, down, left, right or, a real challenge, random! For the real expert you can also change the speed of travel and the number of balloons.

Additional options change the background. You can choose from a range of colours and sky effects or use your own pictures - have the balloons float across a picture of the school.

The program has bold or pastel colour choices to allow you to design activities to develop visual and tracking skills.

 

 

Price - R720

 

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.