Clicker 5 A Learning Tool for Children of Special Needs Submitted by: Mona Moeen Course: Special Education Part 1 Instructor: Ken McCarthy University of Windsor, Ontario July 05, 2010

Assistive Technology It is the technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. It is the technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.  mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs  hardware, software, and peripherals that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies.

Examples of Assistive Technology Examples of Assistive Technology  people with limited hand function may use a keyboard with large keys or a special mouse to operate a computer  people who are blind may use software that reads text on the screen in a computer-generated voice  people with low vision may use software that enlarges screen content  people who are deaf may use a TTY (text telephone)  people with speech impairments may use a device that speaks out loud as they enter text via a keyboard.

What is Clicker 5? Clicker 5 is a writing support and multimedia tool for children of all abilities.

 At the top of the screen is a word processor is a word processor called ‘Clicker Writer’. called ‘Clicker Writer’.  At the bottom of the screen is the ‘Clicker Grid’. ‘Clicker Grid’. This has ‘cells’ containing letters, words or phrases that you can click on, to send them into Clicker Writer – so children can write sentences without actually writing or using the keyboard! This has ‘cells’ containing letters, words or phrases that you can click on, to send them into Clicker Writer – so children can write sentences without actually writing or using the keyboard! Clicker 5

Clicker Writer Clicker Writer is a word processor which can:  Read aloud any text, highlighting each word when spoken  Show pictures above words  Automatically capitalize proper nouns and words at the start of sentences  You can enter text into Clicker Writer using either your keyboard or a Clicker Grid.

Clicker Grids  Clicker Grids enable student to become more independent and confident about constructing their writing. Grids have ‘cells’ containing words, phrases or pictures.  To write in Clicker Writer, simply click on a word, phrase or picture in the Clicker Grid!  To check the word or phrase first, right-click on it (Mac: Ctrl-click) to hear it read aloud!

Symbol Sets Symbols provide vital reading and writing support to those with special needs, early learners and those who do not have English as a first language require it, enabling learners to:  communicate more easily and effectively  build their confidence  develop greater academic independence  better understand and use given information Each symbol focuses on a single concept and there are symbols for practically all commonly used words.

Happy 1. Widgit Symbols  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.RunMaximum BakerBakersBakery Acute Angle Periodic Table Waves.

 widely used in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as well as for literacy support  Developed over 25 years, the set comprises over 7000 colour symbols designed to represent words and short phrases to support children and adults with communication challenges. AfraidFinishedMedium My Turn MY 2. Mayer-Johnson PCS

3. SymbolStix  depicts activities and people as lively, vibrant stick figures, drawn with a distinctive flair to create “stick figures with an attitude”.  depicts generic persons as stick people with no gender, age or culturally specific attributes to ensure that learners focus on the concepts portrayed rather than being distracted or confused by detail. AfraidLearnBiggest HeavyChooseYoungest Queen Victoria Roger Federer William Shakespeare This appealing set also includes a range of culturally-significant images such as politicians, athletes, actors, historical figures and popular fictional characters.

Clicker and Dyslexia Clicker 5 is the leading product for supporting primary-age pupils with dyslexia, winner of many awards and used in tens of thousands of classrooms. Clicker 5 is the leading product for supporting primary-age pupils with dyslexia, winner of many awards and used in tens of thousands of classrooms. It works by providing: It works by providing:  Writing support  Reading support  Build confidence with point and click access to words  Reinforce the link between spellings and sounds  Provide tailored writing support for each individual [Sentence building, Word banks, Writing frames]  Develop reading skills with Clicker talking books  Teach and reinforce phonic rules

Clickers and Learning Disabilities  It is the perfect tool to use with students with learning difficulties, because it enables you to present students with activities that are broken down into small steps, and to revisit learning objectives many times using a variety of activities.  Clicker's multisensory approach of using words, pictures and sounds keeps learners interested and motivated, and enables them to achieve success.

Reading with Clicker 5  Students can listen to the story as it is read aloud – the words will highlight as they are read, helping the pupil to follow the text and to focus on each word as they hear it.  Students can use Clicker’s sound recorder to record themselves as they do so. You may wish them to listen to the model before recording or just let them have a go. When they have finished they can listen to themselves and record again if they wish. Hearing themselves read is very motivating and the activity provides a useful assessment opportunity as well. You may wish them to listen to the model before recording or just let them have a go. When they have finished they can listen to themselves and record again if they wish. Hearing themselves read is very motivating and the activity provides a useful assessment 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 Language Impairment Support for Students with Speech or Language Impairment Clicker is very popular among speech and language professionals as well as special needs teachers.  Develop listening skills Pupils practice discriminating sounds using specially- designed sound matching activities Pupils practice discriminating sounds using specially- designed sound matching activities  Practice speaking skills Clicker talking books are an ideal environment for practicing speaking skills in a non-threatening environment. Clicker talking books are an ideal environment for practicing speaking skills in a non-threatening environment.  Focus on language structure Use sentence building grids to teach and reinforce simple sentence structure. For learners needing additional support, use 'forced order' grids where they have to select words in the correct order from left to right. Use sentence building grids to teach and reinforce simple sentence structure. For learners needing additional support, use 'forced order' grids where they have to select words in the correct order from left to right.

 Modelled sentence grids: another powerful way to help students internalize language by providing a model sentence for the pupil to look at and listen to.  Colour coded sentence building grids: are another great way to reinforce sentence structure and the left to right convention.  Activities to teach and practice specific language concepts By using pictures and presenting a set of alternative choices, pupils learn concepts, as for example in this activity where they choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence. By using pictures and presenting a set of alternative choices, pupils learn concepts, as for example in this activity where they choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence.  Enable communication Students with little or no speech who need a communication aid, use customized Clicker grids to communicate. Students with little or no speech who need a communication aid, use customized Clicker grids to communicate. Symbol Sets are a great way to provide symbol support. Continued……

Support for Students with Physical Disabilities  All Clicker activities are fully accessible with switches, connected via the Crick USB Switch Box.  Clicker grids are scanned either automatically (if we’re using a single switch scan) or by pressing a second switch  To optimise access for individual users, fine-tune the timing settings and customise how the scan is displayed. For further reinforcement, choose an auditory scan. All functions are accessible to switch users, including moving between grids and opening pop-up grids and keyboards.

Switch accessible books  Children who are unable to handle books really miss out on important learning experiences from an early age. Now, learners using switch access can read Clicker talking books on-screen. Pages are turned and text read aloud with the click of a switch.  All Clicker talking books are switch accessible  'Hot spots' are scanned too  Many ready-made books are available  Easy to make your own books

Support for students with low vision In addition to the high quality speech, the clean, uncluttered screen layout, and the customizable colour-coded grids, Clicker includes a range of extensive accessibility options for students with low vision.  Customizable zoom options  Special high-contrast colour options  Variable line spacing  Large toolbar option  Large fonts option for cell tool tips

Shift-click to edit a cell in the grid Then press Enter and click on the cell to write it

Make some cells inactive until others are used Helps you structure a piece of writing

Pop-up grids are great for labelling exercises

Clicker 5 in the Music Classroom for Non-Verbal Learners  Students can select songs from a grid and listen to their selection (like a juke box).  The songs can be files of the actual songs or recordings of the children singing.  The students can also have a printout of the lyrics with the graphic support to help them learn the words to a particular song

SUMMARY  Writing support for all abilities  Click on words to write in the word processor  Highlights text when spoken – even real speech  Shift-click to edit a cell in the grid  Then press Enter and click on the cell to write it  Make some cells inactive until others are used  Helps you structure a piece of writing  Write with pictures - can appear as you write  Can also use animations Clicker Animations CD-ROM sold separately Clicker Animations CD-ROM sold separately  Use full-screen grids without word processor  Create talking books and presentations

SUMMARY  Pop-up grids help students of all abilities to write talking books  Templates help you create your own grids  Clicker Explorer lets you manage grids easily  Use Master Grids to edit many grids in one go  All Clicker Grids are switch accessible  Use Mayer-Johnson PCS symbols for communication  Record your own sounds and add video clips  Supports MP3, MPEG and the latest technology  Search for and run resources within Clicker  Check out for free resources at LearningGrids.com (continued..)

Clicker 5 Video Tutorial ndex.htm ndex.htm Introduction 1.Clicker Writer 2.Writing Books 3.Creating Grids 4.Learning Grids 5.English as an Additional Language 6.Modern Foreign Language 7.A Virtue Tour

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

Clicker 5 A Must Technology for Students with Educational Needs Thanks for Watching! Mona