In previous posts I’ve discussed the many advantages of
using a remote switch to activate
ASbyS animations on your interactive whiteboard (IWB). When using a remote
switch setup (either wired or wireless) students are able to take turns
activating the PowerPoint animations from their seat, rather than requiring
students to approach and tap the IWB.
I’m always looking for new ways to establish remote switch access … so you can imagine my delight in finding a way to use an iPad as a switch to trigger ASbyS animations on the Interactive Whiteboard! Yes, I was excited to discover yet another wireless option, but even more excited to discover that this option costs a grand total of $4.99 … provided you already own an iPad!
Using the Attainment
Switch App ($4.99; installed on the iPad) and the Attainment Switch Interface Helper (free; installed on the IWB
computer), a tap on the iPad screen (accompanied by a click sound) will produce
the click necessary for triggering animations on the IWB. Both your interactive whiteboard computer and
your iPad MUST share the same
internet connection.
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| iPad Used as a Remote Switch to Trigger Animation on a Smart Board |
On the mac/win
computer:
Download the Attainment
Switch Interface Helper App (free).
Open the Attainment Switch
Interface Helper App
Note: if you have
security set high on your Mac computer, you may need to hold down control when
you click on the application icon.
When you open the application, a dialog box will appear that
allows you to set the iPad up to function as a switch.
The program allows two switches (or buttons). We only need to set up switch/Button 1.
Button 1
Select the switch image
that will be displayed on the iPad. The program presents graphics of many
commonly used switches but I like to display a star when using an Animated
Step-by-Step. When using an ASbyS, the presence of a star on the PowerPoint
slide, signifies a need to click to activate the animation. Rather than selecting one of the switch images offered, I select Custom
then click on the (… button) to navigate to an image of a star that I created for this purpose. This
strategy helps to establish a stronger link between the stars seen on the
PowerPoint slide and the act of pressing the star on the iPad to trigger the
animations.
Next, select the key to send, i.e., the keystroke that will be recognized by the computer every time the iPad is pressed. When using an Animated Step-by-Step, the required keystroke is enter.
Button 2
As we only need one switch to trigger the animations for our
ASbySs, uncheck the Enabled box for
button 2
On your iPad
Go to the App Store.
Search for the Attainment
Switch App.
Purchase and download the Attainment Switch App ($4.99)
Open up the Attainment
Switch App.
If you have already opened up the Attainment Switch Interface
Helper app on your computer, your computer’s name should appear in the computers and devices box (in my case,
Carol’s Macbook Pro). Don’t forget both your iPad and your computer must share
the same WiFi.
Select the switch image that will appear on the iPad, i.e.,
star
So if you own an iPad and you want to establish remote access for your interactive whiteboard, the Attainment Switch App is probably your easiest and most inexpensive way to do so.
Many thanks to Julie Denu of Attainment for bringing
this wonderful option to my attention.
…’til the next post …
(new posts every Monday)
Visit my web site http://animatedstep-by-steps.com
Follow me on twitter @AnimStepbySteps
Follow me on twitter @AnimStepbySteps
Email me
canadiangoosse@gmail.com
©2016 Carol Goossens’,
Ph.D.
Augmentative Communication
Consultant
Speech-Language Pathologist
Special Educator
Special Educator
