Utilizing the ‘Pinch Out to Zoom in’ Feature of the iPad

I had mentioned in a previous post (04-06-15  - When to Add  Symbol Support in a Mixed Ability Lesson) that I liked to enhance my Animated Step-by-Steps with symbol support.  I typically alter the animation sequence to fade in the symbol support automatically after all the animations on the page have been triggered. This provides an opportunity to ‘re-read’ a page using the symbols … a strategy that is especially valuable for students with special needs. 

When adding symbols to the Animated Step-by-Steps, I size them to .8 to ensure that they fit ‘comfortably’ between the lines of text. This size works great for the majority of children using the app, but what if you wished the symbols were a bit larger?

Inherent in the iPad’s operating system is the ability to use a gesture to zoom in on an area of the screen, i.e., using your thumb and index finger to pinch out. 

To move further down the screen, to view the next line of enlarged text just swipe up with your index finger.

When you wish to return the page to its normal size, just pinch in with your thumb and index finger. These handy gestures allows you to ‘re-read’ the page using enlarged symbols.

There are a variety of reasons why it is advantageous to zoom in to create enlarged symbols. The obvious, of course, might be to better enable children with visual impairments to see the symbols. An equally valuable reason, however, would be to help students with emerging symbol skills to better see the symbols in order to derive meaning, especially when you occasionally add commentary as to why that symbol is representative of that concept.

Regardless of your reason for using this ‘pinch out, to zoom in’ feature, it is a great tool to add to your ‘therapy tool box’.   

…’til the next post …

© 2015  Carol Goossens’, Ph.D.

canadiangoosse@gmail.com

Navigation Roadmap

I am thrilled with how well the Microsoft PowerPoint app works with the Animated Step-by-Steps. Not only do they look great in the app, but the app is a free download in the App Store.
Can't get any better than that!

To get you up and running, I've created a visual roadmap to help you internalize the motions necessary for navigating through an Animated Step-by-Step when the app is in 'presentation mode'.

There are actually three different ways to trigger animations when using the Microsoft PowerPoint app. 

1. remote switch access (see previous blog post 02-09-15 - Establishing Remote Access),

2. slide your finger or stylus to the left on the screen 

3. tap the invisible bar on the right

The fact that there are three different ways to trigger animations is a big plus. It allows you to tailor your presentation to the needs of individual students. 

Here's some thoughts re: a range of motor access:

I really like remote access using a wireless switch especially when using a large switch such as RJ Cooper's Bluetooth Super Switch. It conveniently provides a large target when using the hand.  Because I want to nurture the connection to the star, I have found it helpful to attach a star decal to the switch. If a student is unable to access the switch using their hand, however, the switch does have a port that allows you to plug in a personal switch allowing the animations to be triggered using a different body part. 

When I'm not using a remote access switch to trigger the animations, I often encourage students to use the second option, sliding their finger to the left.  This method has the cognitive advantage of physically reinforcing the connection between the star and its corresponding animation. 

Not all children, however, will be able to swipe to the left, so it is fortunate that the program has available a simpler screen option, i.e., tapping an invisible bar on the right to trigger the next animation.  

Don't forget the manner in which you present your iPad, i.e., flat on table vs angled on table vs elevated on a stand can also effect motor access. The benefits of considering these variables is well worth the effort.

... 'til the next post ...

© 2015 Carol Goossens’, Ph.D.

canadiangoosse@gmail.com

Linking to a Storage Provider When Using the Microsoft PowerPoint App

In a previous post I had mentioned that the easiest way to get Animated Step-by-Steps into your Microsoft PowerPoint App is to use a storage provider such as DropBox. Although I typically use my Dropbox account for this purpose, other options such as iCloud and Google Drive are equally viable.  

After downloading your Animated Step-by-Step files,  place them in your preferred storage option (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud). Open up the Microsoft PowerPoint app. You must now link the App to the storage provider where your Animated Step-by-Steps reside.

Here is the sequence of steps needed to establish a link to a storage option:

Select the ... More option in the second

column from the left.

This automatically defaults the location to your iCloud account. If you wish to link to a different storage account (such as Google Drive or Dropbox), select Locations in the upper left corner.

A dropdown menu will appear. Select More ... if you want an option other than iCloud.

Select from the storage options displayed. Then select Done.

Once you have linked to your preferred storage option, you will be using the Open button (bottom of the far left column) to import files into the Microsoft PowerPoint app.  As illustrated, I have several Animated Step-by-Step files in my DropBox. When I select Open I am able to view and select from the files that reside in my Dropbox. Sometimes when I’m importing a file, I will get  a ‘file too big’ error message. I’m not sure why this occurs but when I try a second time it routinely works. Whew!

Although you need an internet connection to import files into the app, you do not need an internet connection to use files you’ve already imported. Use the Recent button to load 

previously imported files.  

Given the average size of the Animated Step-by-Step files (about 25 MB) you should be able to import 7 or 8 files before you exceed the 200 MB limit for the app. If this occurs you must remove some recent files that you no longer need to make room for new files.  To do this select the little open box + arrow icon. A drop down menu will appear giving you the option of selecting Remove from Recent. Poof, it disappears making room to import a new file using the Open button (bottom far left column).

A final note … when using the free version of the Microsoft PowerPoint app you can 'read' but not edit files. Hopefully, this will not be a problem as the Animated Step-by-Step files are read only files.

… ’til the next post …

© 2015 Carol Goossens’, Ph.D.

canadiangoosse@gmail.com