1. Assistive Technology in the Classroom Linda Dhande and Susan Strejc 2/2011
Description: This class will give you a solid foundation to build your AT skills so that you can improve the ability of your EC students to participate in educational activities.
Objectives:
Identify commonly used assistive technology tools in the schools.
Understand the basics of connecting switches to computers and devices.
Learn simple troubleshooting.
Understand the hierarchy of computer access
Become familiar with EC software and features
Understand the use of programs on networked computers.
Offered March 3 and March 10 from 2-5 at Lincoln Heights room # 233.

2. Use of Light-Tech Equipment
Tools for Writing
Communication notebook
Alphabet Flip Chart or Alphabet board
Access Devices
Switch and PowerLink
Switch and Latch Timer
Laser pointer
Communication Devices
Big and Little Macs
Step-by-Step
Cheap Talk
Equipment is typically available in the SAC and some AU classes as baseline equipment (switches, Big Mac, Little Mac or One-Step, PowerLink)
None of this equipment would require an AT evaluation

3. Tools For Writing
PODD communication book for students using Light Tech AAC
Alphabet Flip Chart used with partner assisted scanning for beginning writers
Means of written expression for students who can’t use typical – paper/pencil or keyboard
Non-verbal students may use communication notebook for some writing
Alphabet flip chart for letter-by-letter with partner assistance
Student may point to their selection (with their hand, eye gaze or laser pointer) or use partner assisted scanning

4. Access Devices Switch Latch Timer Switches Laser pointer PowerLink
There are a variety of switches, the type and placement depends on the student’s abilities.
For battery operated devices use a battery interrupter and a switch for simple cause/effect. The activity continues as long as the switch is activated.
To increase the switch complexity add a Switch Latch Timer. Now the amount of time the device remains on can be controlled. The student activates the switch, the action continues for the set time and stops, requiring another switch activation.
For electric devices use a PowerLink. The device itself will not work with PowerLink if it turns on/off with a power button. It has to have a knob or switch that turns it on. The PowerLink has several settings. Type of activation (direct, latch, timed). Amount of time—minutes or seconds.
Laser pointer—must be school safe! Use to point to materials on board, desk, communication boards, art supplies. Can direct assistant (adult or peer) in selection of materials, their placement etc.
Laser pointer
PowerLink

5. Communication Devices
Step-By-Step
Primarily set by pressing a record button and the switch and talking into the microphone. The step by step has directions printed on the button. There are some variations in directions.
Examples using each.
Cheap Talk 8
Big Mac

6. Basic Switch Use
Single Switch
Find a switch site
Teach switch use with activities that are motivating and meaningful
Two switches
Voice output and a switch to operate something: toy, appliance, computer
Two switches for two different messages (yes/no; like/don’t like)
Motor pattern –switch site needs to be a comfortable relatively easy movement (hand, elbow, knee, head)
Less cognitive load- motivating and has a purpose

7. Computers Multi-media capability is highly motivating
Why Use Computers?
Customize for student’s individual needs
Multi-media capability is highly motivating
Using the computer is a life skill
Customize – input (accessibility) and output (printer) options

8. Microsoft Applications
Microsoft Word
Spelling and grammar checking
Auto Correct
Quick Parts (2007)
Microsoft Excel
Math Templates
Graphing or charting
Microsoft PowerPoint
Study guide
PowerTalk for home
E-books with pictures
Spell check -– can be customized.
Auto Correct options for replacing frequent misspellings
Quick Parts for inserting blocks of text or phrases by abbreviation
Math templates – uses Excel for the layout of boxes – can use formulas for calculating or checking work
For student who can’t draw or fill in a graph- plug in the numbers and Excel creates a graph or chart
PPT study guide –create in outline view and creates a slide show; set to “loop” and will repeat
Power Talk – free download can’t use on networked school computers but could use at home

9. Microsoft Word
Spelling and Grammar check is on the View tab of the Word ribbon; also right click on word with red line (indicates not recognized in dictionary)
Quick Parts is under the Insert tab of the Word ribbon –saves to a Gallery use Keyboard shortcut (Alt F3)-can store up to two pages of text
Auto Correct-abbreviation expansion and automatic correction of frequently misspelled words

10. Microsoft Excel Built-in tools include formulas and charts or graphs
Design writing templates for math problems by customizing cell color and font size
Check work option by assigning formula for answer cell?

11. Microsoft PowerPoint PPT Slide Show Book with movie clips inserted
Use outline view in Narration pane to create slides for a study guide (questions and the answer twice)
Change to Slides view (tab in Narration pane) and start the show
Set up Slide Show (under Slide Show tab) so that the slides loop continuously
Set up Slide Show to progress automatically or by input (click, right arrow)
Lots of PPT Books on the SAC/AU CD from 2 years ago, Tarheelreader
PPT Slide Show Book with movie clips inserted
Study Guide

12. Computer Access Factors to Consider
Cognitive Developmental
Physical
Visual
Consider what is interfering with use of standard equipment –cognitive, physical, or developmental?
Lot of overlap with the adaptations used for all three groups. When possible you want to use standard equipment and adapt for student. This is least restrictive. Using alternative mouse/keyboard is moderately restrictive (if plug and play can use at different computers). Using switches and switch-accessible software is most restrictive – won’t be available in a variety of settings.

13. Low Vision High Contrast Keyboard
Adjust text program for high contrast and large font size
Display properties in Windows
Change windows environment to a low vision theme with the accessibility features – options like large icons, large font on icon labels and high contrast
Change screen to lower resolution – everything is larger lose some of the sharpness
Alternative keyboard (KeysUSee) or use of key stickers on standard keyboard for large font with contrast

14. Standard Mouse
Mouse modifications
Adjust pointer size and speed
Block click button (right or both)
Change mouse settings
Practice with fun activities
With cognitive disabilities you need to trial or teach the use of the standard mouse and keyboard first before you use an alternative. Consider the student’s functional level more than age.
Change the mouse settings: reverse left/right click, Click lock for drag

15. Standard Keyboard
Keyboard modifications
Adjust key repeat rate and required lift-off
Add key caps for better visual access
Use a cut-out to cover unnecessary keys
Change keyboard settings
Need to trial or teach the use of the standard keyboard first before you use an alternative. Use the QWERTY keyboard because that is standard. Students will not use a strategy like ABC order to find keys.
Keyboard settings- adjust key repeat and response rate

16. Mouse Alternatives Trackball with Switches Joystick Mouse Palm Mouse
Options to increase participation:
Let a peer buddy move the mouse (maybe disable the mouse buttons) and the switch user can select using the switch (connected to interface to send a Left Click)
Leave the mouse pointer over the button and use a switch that sends a left click
Joystick mouse, trackball- moves the cursor and push button to select. Have buttons for double click, click and drag, etc. Some can have an external switch attached if the buttons are too difficult.
Palm mouse is held in the hand. The green button is actually a joystick, the left click button is on the top and can be pressed with the index finger, right click is the small blue button.
Palm Mouse

17. Keyboard Alternatives
IntelliKeys
Big Keys and Keyguard
IntelliKeys is programmable –can adjust key repeat and response rates for the student that touches keys accidentally (drags hand over) or keeps holding key down. More variance in the settings on IntelliKeys as compared with standard keyboard/control panel.
Can use the standard overlays for IntelliKeys or make custom overlays that match the activity (Overlay Maker and print out)
Key Guards are available for all keyboards: regular, Big Keys and IntelliKeys
On-screen keyboards for students who can use mouse (not keyboard) – also Head Mouse.
Option of selecting by dwelling (stay on key for pre-set time and it automatically selects).
On-screen keyboards typically have a word prediction feature.
On-screen Keyboards

18. Switch Interfaces Plug and Play Programmable
Plug & Play interfaces don’t need a driver installed and can be switched between computers (Don Johnston, Quizworks)
Programmable interfaces need install of the Control Panel and need to stay plugged in to the same port to maintain the connection that is setup with administrator log-on (Crick Switch Interface, IntelliKeys or IntelliSwitch)
Programmable

19. Setting Up Switch Interfaces
PowerPoint: Advance one slide (Enter, Left Click, Right Arrow, Space)
Clicker: (Up and Left Arrows)
IntelliTools Classroom Suite: (Control + Arrow, Control + Enter)
Web Programs with built-in scanning access (generally operate from Left Click or Space)
What makes the program go? Have to set up the switches and interface to send the key commands specific to the program.
Choose interface according to the key strokes or commands that it is capable of sending when the switch is hit.
All types will send the most frequently used (left mouse click, space, enter, arrow keys, Tab)-use a Plug & Play interface.
Crick switch interface designed to go with Clicker.
IntelliSwitch or Intellikeys can send the double keystrokes needed for scanning in IntelliTools Classroom Suite.

20. Switch Scanning
Automatic
One switch site
Requires timing
Less switch hits
Two switch or step
Need two switch sites
Allows user to step through choices at own pace
More switch hits but less frustrating
Automatic scanning for student limited to one switch site.
Step scanning gives the ability to control pace of moving between choices.
Teach scanning-may start out using two switch scanning with the partner as the “mover” and the student as the “picker”

21. Specialized Technology in EC classes
SAC AU
Elementary
CS, Ikeys, Clicker, Switch Interface, switch
CS, Ikeys, Clicker, Switch Interface, DT Trainer
Middle
High
DT Trainer
You may find some differences between schools or classes –often if a student had an AT eval may find non-baseline program on a class computer

22. Clicker Version 4 and 5 – provides writing support
Easy to customize
Printable product
Switch or direct access
Version 4 and 5 – provides writing support
Clicker writer- word processing part of program.
Set up with grids in which each cell contains a letter, word phrases, pictures, combination -easily change content of cells.
Has picture library and can import pictures.
Hear before you write; word by word read back with highlighting; choose to have pictures with words in the document
Full screen talking books
Free resources online
Switch accessible – set up access in user preferences

23. IntelliTools Classroom Suite
Writing Support
Auditory feedback and read aloud
Graphics and picture import
Customized tool bars
Switch, IntelliKeys, or direct access
Word prediction
Pictures: 1) Letter writing activity that has a main toolbar for parts of the letter (greeting, opening, etc.) when selected the toolbar changes to choices in that category (for greeting – Hi, Hello, Dear, can have names included). 2) Easy Writing activity has a sentence starter and set of endings customized for student. Option of sending the text and graphic selected. 3) Alphabet flip chart is same as paper version – shown with Word Prediction active.

24. IntelliTools Classroom Suite
Reading Support
Multimedia Books
Reading tool bar
Lots of books made for Classroom Suite. Picture 1 – title page of book with “Book Commands” toolbar that includes navigation, read, play movie, and close buttons. Picture 2 –standard “Read Options” toolbar that can be added to any activity. Toolbars are easy to customize for the individual –probably not ever need a reading toolbar with all of the buttons shown above.

25. IntelliTools Classroom Suite
Math Support with tools
Fraction bar
Base ten blocks
Dice Roll
Spinner
Coin Flip
Math tools are inserted as a toolbar or an object. Templates available to show how to author an activity using tools.

26. IntelliTools Activity Exchange
Have to join but is free –then you can download and upload activities. You can do an Advanced Search and request activities in categories, e.g. subject, grade level, CS version. Search list will provide information about switch and low vision access. Click on the activity and you will get more details such as full explanation and will provide any custom overlays designed for the activity. When searching, you may not want to select too many categories because this will really limit your list. Can also search by name or author.