Animations are programmed sequentially in all Animated Step-by-Steps, i.e., although
it would appear that tapping a specific star results in a specific animation,
in reality you can click anywhere on the page to trigger the next animation. In short, animations are not linked to
specific stars. When using an Animated Step-by-Step file, I do tap on specific
stars as if they trigger the animations. This helps students better understand
where they are in the text/animation sequence.
Programming the animations sequentially does have distinct advantages …
namely it allows you to use a remote switch to enter the clicks that trigger the animations.
In many classrooms, inviting students to come up to directly
tap the Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) works great. When serving students on the Autism Spectrum, for
example, it a wonderful way to work on impulse control (acknowledged: it is a
little ‘rocky’ at first) and a super way to help students ‘burn off a little
energy’ in the midst of a ‘sit-down’ lesson.
In some classrooms direct access to the IWB may not be feasible
or may be just too time consuming. In classrooms serving children with physical
challenges, for example, the task of wheeling up to the IWB may be an involved process, inadvertently creating ‘down time’ for the other students in the group. For this
reason I really like (and actually prefer) using a remote switch … even in
classrooms where all the students are capable of approaching the board. Remote
access is usually quicker and has the additional advantage of being a
powerful tool for managing group engagement.
Here are a few examples of how you can set up your IWB to use a remote switch to trigger the animations.
Wired Options
If students are seated reasonably close to the IWB, you can
use a Switch Interface Pro (Don Johnston
Equipment) and a USB extension cord
(Male USB on one end; Female USB on the opposite end) to connect your switch to
the IWB. Just plug a switch (e.g. a Jelly Bean Switch from AbleNet) into the
port labeled click on the Switch
Interface Pro. You must then click a small button on the top right until the
red or yellow level is illuminated. You might be able to get the M-F USB cord
at an electronics store but you can certainly track it down on the web (search:
male female usb extension).
The Switch Interface Pro works great for assigning the task
of triggering animations to an individual student requiring practice with switch access. If the child’s switch uses a 1/8” miniature
plug, it can be plugged into the ‘click port’ of the Switch Interface Pro.
The Switch Click USB
is another relatively inexpensive option. It plugs directly into the USB port
on your IWB computer. When you press the switch portion of this unit it
functions as a mouse click. Again, a USB
extension cord (M-F) may be required for your classroom depending upon your
physical setup. To trigger the page animations, just place the cursor anywhere
on the page; to assign a child the task of page turns, place and leave the cursor on the right page arrow at the bottom of the
page. http://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Computer-Access/Switch-Click-USB
Wireless Options
Wireless options capitalize on either infrared or bluetooth
technology. There are numerous options available. Here are a few that have
worked for me in classrooms.
The Jelly Beamer
transmitter (looks like a switch), uses infra red to ‘communicate’ with a Jelly Beamer receiver plugged into the Switch
Interface Pro (or comparable unit) which in turn is plugged into the USB port of the IWB computer. Whenever a student activates the jelly
beamer (or another switch plugged into its switch port), a click triggering an
animation is registered on the IWB computer.
Quizworks, USB Switch
Interface Plus is another wireless option that works well in the classroom.
The receiver portion of the unit is plugged into the USB port on your IWB
computer while the remote switch is plugged into a transmitter unit. When using
this setup as a shared classroom device, it is advantageous to mount the
transmitter and the switch on a lightweight board.
Bluetooth
Super-Switch (RJ Cooper) is another great option if your IWB computer is ‘bluetooth
capable’. Please know, you do need to ‘pair’ the computer's blue tooth with the
switch’s blue tooth before using this option.
It is also possible to use your iPad as a switch using an app called Splashtop. This app displays your IWB computer screen on your iPad.
If an Animated Step-by-Step is displayed on your IWB, that display will be
mirrored on your iPad. To activate a click on the IWB you would interact with
the iPad tablet.
http://www.splashtop.com
http://www.splashtop.com
Ease of Use
Regardless of whether you are using a wired or wireless
option, I have found it imperative to mount the switch/transmitter on a base to facilitate
easy handling. This can be achieved by putting hook (male) velcro on the bottom
of the switch and attaching it to a base with either loop (female) velcro, or a base covered with tempo display loop fabric, or looped indoor-outdoor carpet.
Hope you have found this information useful for your
classroom … and your students!
If you discover any other solutions for achieving remote access, please add them to the comments section of this
blog.
... ’til the next post …
© 2015 Carol Goossens’, Ph.D.
canadiangoosse@gmail.com
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