Clicker 5Clicker 5A Learning Tool for A Learning Tool for Children of Special Children of Special

NeedsNeeds

Submitted by: Mona MoeenSubmitted by: Mona Moeen

Course: Special Education Course: Special Education Part 1Part 1

Instructor: Ken McCarthyInstructor: Ken McCarthyUniversity of Windsor, University of Windsor,

OntarioOntarioJuly 05, 2010July 05, 2010

Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

It is the technology used by individuals with It is the technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. might otherwise be difficult or impossible.

mobility devices such as walkers and mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairswheelchairs

hardware, software, and peripherals that assist hardware, software, and peripherals that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies.or other information technologies.

Examples of Assistive TechnologyExamples of Assistive Technology

people with limited hand function may use a people with limited hand function may use a keyboard with large keys or a special mouse to keyboard with large keys or a special mouse to operate a computeroperate a computer

people who are blind may use software that reads people who are blind may use software that reads text on the screen in a computer-generated voicetext on the screen in a computer-generated voice

people with low vision may use software that people with low vision may use software that enlarges screen contentenlarges screen content

people who are deaf may use a TTY (text people who are deaf may use a TTY (text telephone)telephone)

people with speech impairments may use a people with speech impairments may use a device that speaks out loud as they enter text via device that speaks out loud as they enter text via a keyboard.a keyboard.

What is Clicker 5?What is Clicker 5?

Clicker 5 is a writing support

and multimedia tool for children of all abilities.

At the top of the screen At the top of the screen is a word processoris a word processor called ‘called ‘Clicker Clicker

WriterWriter’.’.

At the bottom of the At the bottom of the screen is the screen is the

‘ ‘Clicker Grid’. Clicker Grid’. This has ‘cells’ This has ‘cells’

containing letters, words containing letters, words or phrases that you can or phrases that you can click on, to send them click on, to send them into Clicker Writer – so into Clicker Writer – so children can write children can write sentences without sentences without actually writing or using actually writing or using the keyboard!the keyboard!

Clicker 5Clicker 5

Clicker WriterClicker WriterClicker WriterClicker Writer is a word is a word

processor which can:processor which can: Read aloud any text, Read aloud any text,

highlighting each word highlighting each word when spokenwhen spoken

Show pictures above words Show pictures above words

Automatically capitalize Automatically capitalize proper nouns and words at proper nouns and words at the start of sentencesthe start of sentences

You can enter text into You can enter text into Clicker Writer using either Clicker Writer using either your keyboard or a Clicker your keyboard or a Clicker Grid.Grid.

Clicker GridsClicker Grids Clicker GridsClicker Grids enable student enable student

to become more independent to become more independent and confident about and confident about constructing their writing. constructing their writing. Grids have ‘cells’ containing Grids have ‘cells’ containing words, phrases or pictures. words, phrases or pictures.

To write in Clicker Writer, To write in Clicker Writer, simply click on a word, simply click on a word, phrase or picture in the phrase or picture in the Clicker Grid!Clicker Grid!

To check the word or phrase To check the word or phrase first, right-click on it (Mac: first, right-click on it (Mac: Ctrl-click) to hear it read Ctrl-click) to hear it read aloud!aloud!

Symbol Symbol SetsSets

Symbols provide vital reading and writing support to Symbols provide vital reading and writing support to those with those with special needsspecial needs, early learners and those , early learners and those who do not have English as a first language require who do not have English as a first language require it, enabling learners to:it, enabling learners to:

communicate more easily and effectively communicate more easily and effectively build their confidence build their confidence develop greater academic independence develop greater academic independence better understand and use given informationbetter understand and use given information

Each symbol focuses on a single concept and there are Each symbol focuses on a single concept and there are symbols for practically all commonly used words.symbols for practically all commonly used words.

HappyHappy

1. 1. Widgit SymbolsWidgit Symbols

support literacy support literacy

help learners develop their vocabulary independently

Widgit Symbols covers an extensive range of topics, including a wide range of curriculum areas such as Science and Math.

RunRun MaximumMaximum

BakerBaker BakersBakers BakeryBakery

Acute Acute AngleAngle

PeriodiPeriodic Tablec Table

WavesWaves

.

widely used in the field of widely used in the field of augmentative and augmentative and alternative communication alternative communication (AAC) as well as for (AAC) as well as for literacy support literacy support

Developed over 25 years, Developed over 25 years, the set comprises over the set comprises over 7000 colour symbols 7000 colour symbols designed to represent designed to represent words and short phrases to words and short phrases to support children and adults support children and adults with communication with communication challenges.challenges.

AfraiAfraidd

FinisheFinishedd

MediuMediumm

My My TurnTurn

My My TurnTurn MYMY

2. Mayer-Johnson 2. Mayer-Johnson PCSPCS

3. 3. SymbolStixSymbolStix

depicts activities and depicts activities and people as lively, vibrant people as lively, vibrant stick figures, drawn with a stick figures, drawn with a distinctive flair to create distinctive flair to create “stick figures with an “stick figures with an attitude”. attitude”.

depicts generic persons depicts generic persons as stick people with no as stick people with no gender, age or culturally gender, age or culturally specific attributes to specific attributes to ensure that learners focus ensure that learners focus on the concepts portrayed on the concepts portrayed rather than being rather than being distracted or confused by distracted or confused by detail.detail.

AfraiAfraidd

LearLearnn

BiggeBiggestst

HeavHeavyy

ChoosChoosee

YoungeYoungestst

Queen Queen VictoriVictori

aa

Roger Roger FederFeder

erer

William William ShakespeaShakespea

rere

This appealing set also This appealing set also includes a range of culturally-includes a range of culturally-significant images such as significant images such as politicians, athletes, actors, politicians, athletes, actors, historical figures and popular historical figures and popular fictional characters.fictional characters.

Clicker and DyslexiaClicker and Dyslexia

Clicker 5 is the leading product for Clicker 5 is the leading product for supporting primary-age pupils with supporting primary-age pupils with dyslexia, winner of many awards and used dyslexia, winner of many awards and used in tens of thousands of classrooms.in tens of thousands of classrooms.

It works by providing:It works by providing: Writing supportWriting support Reading supportReading support Build confidence with point and click access to wordsBuild confidence with point and click access to words Reinforce the link between spellings and soundsReinforce the link between spellings and sounds Provide tailored writing support for each individual Provide tailored writing support for each individual

[Sentence building, Word banks, Writing frames][Sentence building, Word banks, Writing frames] Develop reading skills with Clicker talking books Develop reading skills with Clicker talking books Teach and reinforce phonic rulesTeach and reinforce phonic rules

Clickers and Learning Clickers and Learning DisabilitiesDisabilities

It is the perfect tool to use with students with It is the perfect tool to use with students with learning difficulties, because it enables you to learning difficulties, because it enables you to present students with activities that are present students with activities that are broken down into small steps, and to revisit broken down into small steps, and to revisit learning objectives many times using a learning objectives many times using a variety of activities. variety of activities.

Clicker's multisensory approach of using Clicker's multisensory approach of using words, pictures and sounds keeps learners words, pictures and sounds keeps learners interested and motivated, and enables them interested and motivated, and enables them to achieve success.to achieve success.

Reading with Reading with Clicker 5Clicker 5

Students can listen to the Students can listen to the story as it is read aloudstory as it is read aloud – – the words will highlight as they the words will highlight as they are read, helping the pupil to are read, helping the pupil to follow the text and to focus on follow the text and to focus on each word as they hear it.each word as they hear it.

Students can use Clicker’s Students can use Clicker’s soundsound recorder to recordrecorder to record

themselves as they do so.themselves as they do so.

You may wish them to listen to You may wish them to listen to the model before recording or the model before recording or just let them have a go. When just let them have a go. When they have finished they can they have finished they can listen to themselves and record listen to themselves and record again if they wish. Hearing again if they wish. Hearing themselves read is very themselves read is very motivating and the activity motivating and the activity provides a useful assessment provides a useful assessment opportunity as well.opportunity as well.

Making Talking Books: Choose the picture…

Write the text…Record your voice...

Go to the next page and select another picture:Paint your own pictures too!

Support for Students with Speech or Support for Students with Speech or Language ImpairmentLanguage Impairment

Clicker is very popular among speech and language Clicker is very popular among speech and language professionals as well as special needs teachers.professionals as well as special needs teachers.

Develop listening skillsDevelop listening skills Pupils practice discriminating sounds using specially-Pupils practice discriminating sounds using specially-

designed sound matching activitiesdesigned sound matching activities

Practice speaking skillsPractice speaking skills Clicker talking books are an ideal environment for Clicker talking books are an ideal environment for

practicing speaking skills in a non-threatening practicing speaking skills in a non-threatening environment. environment.

Focus on language structureFocus on language structure Use sentence building grids to teach and reinforce Use sentence building grids to teach and reinforce

simple sentence structure. For learners needing simple sentence structure. For learners needing additional support, use 'forced order' grids where they additional support, use 'forced order' grids where they have to select words in the correct order from left to right.have to select words in the correct order from left to right.

Modelled sentence grids:Modelled sentence grids: another powerful way to another powerful way to help students internalize language by providing a model help students internalize language by providing a model sentence for the pupil to look at and listen to. sentence for the pupil to look at and listen to.

Colour coded sentence building grids:Colour coded sentence building grids: are are another great way to reinforce sentence structure and the another great way to reinforce sentence structure and the left to right conventionleft to right convention. .

Activities to teach and practice specific Activities to teach and practice specific language conceptslanguage concepts

By using pictures and presenting a set of alternative choices, By using pictures and presenting a set of alternative choices, pupils learn concepts, as for example in this activity where pupils learn concepts, as for example in this activity where they choose the correct preposition to complete the they choose the correct preposition to complete the sentencesentence..

Enable communicationEnable communication Students with little or no speech who need a communication Students with little or no speech who need a communication

aid, use customized Clicker grids to communicate. aid, use customized Clicker grids to communicate. Symbol SetsSymbol Sets are a great way to provide symbol support. are a great way to provide symbol support.

Continued……Continued……

Support for Students with Support for Students with

Physical DisabilitiesPhysical Disabilities

All Clicker activities are fully accessible with switches, All Clicker activities are fully accessible with switches, connected via the connected via the Crick USB Switch Box.Crick USB Switch Box.

Clicker grids are scanned either automatically (if we’re Clicker grids are scanned either automatically (if we’re using a single switch scan) or by pressing a second using a single switch scan) or by pressing a second switch switch

To optimise access for individual users, fine-tune the To optimise access for individual users, fine-tune the timing settings and customise how the scan is displayed. timing settings and customise how the scan is displayed. For further reinforcement, choose an auditory scan. All For further reinforcement, choose an auditory scan. All functions are accessible to switch users, including moving functions are accessible to switch users, including moving between grids and opening pop-up grids and keyboards. between grids and opening pop-up grids and keyboards.

Switch accessible booksSwitch accessible books

Children who are unable to handle books really Children who are unable to handle books really miss out on important learning experiences miss out on important learning experiences from an early age. Now, learners using switch from an early age. Now, learners using switch access can read Clicker talking books on-access can read Clicker talking books on-screen. Pages are turned and text read aloud screen. Pages are turned and text read aloud with the click of a switch.with the click of a switch.

All Clicker talking books are switch accessibleAll Clicker talking books are switch accessible 'Hot spots' are scanned too'Hot spots' are scanned too Many ready-made books are availableMany ready-made books are available Easy to make your own booksEasy to make your own books

Support for students with low Support for students with low visionvision

In addition to the high quality speech, the clean, In addition to the high quality speech, the clean, uncluttered screen layout, and the uncluttered screen layout, and the customizable colour-coded grids, Clicker customizable colour-coded grids, Clicker includes a range of extensive accessibility includes a range of extensive accessibility options for students with low vision. options for students with low vision.

Customizable zoom optionsCustomizable zoom options Special high-contrast colour optionsSpecial high-contrast colour options Variable line spacingVariable line spacing Large toolbar optionLarge toolbar option Large fonts option for cell tool tipsLarge fonts option for cell tool tips

Shift-click to edit a cell in the gridShift-click to edit a cell in the gridThen press Enter and click on the cell Then press Enter and click on the cell

to write itto write it

Make some cells inactive until others Make some cells inactive until others are usedare used

Helps you structure a piece of writingHelps you structure a piece of writing

Pop-up grids are great for labelling exercisesPop-up grids are great for labelling exercises

Clicker 5 in the Music Classroom Clicker 5 in the Music Classroom for Non-Verbal Learnersfor Non-Verbal Learners

Students can select songs from a grid and listen Students can select songs from a grid and listen to their selection (like a juke box).to their selection (like a juke box).

The songs can be files of the actual songs or The songs can be files of the actual songs or recordings of the children singing.recordings of the children singing.

The students can also have a printout of the The students can also have a printout of the lyrics with the graphic support to help them lyrics with the graphic support to help them learn the words to a particular songlearn the words to a particular song

SUMMARYSUMMARY

Writing support for all Writing support for all abilitiesabilities

Click on words to write in Click on words to write in the word processorthe word processor

Highlights text when Highlights text when spoken – even real spoken – even real speechspeech

Shift-click to edit a cell in Shift-click to edit a cell in the gridthe grid

Then press Enter and Then press Enter and click on the cell to write itclick on the cell to write it

Make some cells inactive Make some cells inactive until others are useduntil others are used

Helps you structure a Helps you structure a piece of writing piece of writing

Write with pictures - can Write with pictures - can appear as you write appear as you write

Can also use animationsCan also use animations

Clicker Animations CD-ROM sold Clicker Animations CD-ROM sold separatelyseparately

Use full-screen grids Use full-screen grids without word processorwithout word processor

Create talking books and Create talking books and presentationspresentations

SUMMARY SUMMARY Pop-up grids help students of all Pop-up grids help students of all

abilities to write talking booksabilities to write talking books

Templates help you create your Templates help you create your own gridsown grids

Clicker Explorer lets you manage Clicker Explorer lets you manage grids easilygrids easily

Use Master Grids to edit many Use Master Grids to edit many grids in one go grids in one go

All Clicker Grids are switch All Clicker Grids are switch accessible accessible

Use Mayer-Johnson PCS symbols Use Mayer-Johnson PCS symbols for communicationfor communication

Record your own sounds and add Record your own sounds and add video clipsvideo clips

Supports MP3, MPEG and the Supports MP3, MPEG and the latest technologylatest technology

Search for and run resources Search for and run resources within Clickerwithin Clicker

Check out for free resources at Check out for free resources at LearningGrids.comLearningGrids.com

(continued..)(continued..)

Clicker 5 Video Tutorial

http://http://video.cricksoft.com/video/uk/clicker/ivideo.cricksoft.com/video/uk/clicker/index.htmndex.htm

Introduction1. Clicker Writer2. Writing Books3. Creating Grids4. Learning Grids5. English as an Additional Language6. Modern Foreign Language7. A Virtue Tour

Clicker PaintClicker Paint

Clicker Paint is the essential Clicker Paint is the essential partnerpartner to to Clicker 5. The two programs integrate fully, Clicker 5. The two programs integrate fully, adding a further dimension to Clicker talking adding a further dimension to Clicker talking books and opening up an extensive range of books and opening up an extensive range of additional language and literacy activities.additional language and literacy activities.

If you’re interested to know how the Clicker If you’re interested to know how the Clicker

Paint program works for students, Paint program works for students,

watch the watch the VideoVideo.. http://video.cricksoft.com/video/us/clickerpaint/index.htmhttp://video.cricksoft.com/video/us/clickerpaint/index.htm

Clicker 5Clicker 5A Must Technology for A Must Technology for

Students with Educational Students with Educational NeedsNeeds

Thanks for Watching!

Mona