The SwitchIt! Patterns software from Inclusive Technology in the UK, is a cleverly designed piece of software. It caters to young children and to users who require visual stimulation and cause-and-effect software. SwitchIt! Patterns is a comprehensive program which has a number of features that teachers and parents can select to customise and therefore cater to individual preferences.
The package is very easy to use. After launching SwitchIt! Patterns, you are greeted with an introductory screen with up-tempo music. You click the mouse once, and then can immediately begin work with the default settings. If you move the mouse to the top of the screen display, a ‘menu bar’ appears.
From this menu bar, you choose from ten different pattern types. You scroll the menu bar horizontally from left to right and click on the desired pattern. The menu icon takes you to a screen where you customise the program. Th Game Options include:
- Complexity- a sliding scale (from 1-4) indicates howbusy the pattern will appear onscreen.
- Colours -choose a pattern colour (from nine choices) and background colour (from nine choices).
- Debounce how quickly the pattern will respond to the input, then appear andmove
- Pre-acceptance- Delay the time between hitting the switch or clicking the mouse, and the software’s reaction to your input
- Serial Switches -choose this option if you have switches connected via an interface box in your switch port (usually connected into COM2)
- IntelliKeys - when you choose this option, an automated process sends an overlay to the IntelliKeys with the two switch ports on the board programmed, ready to accept switch input.
- Patterns -choose one of ten patterns; select eitherrandom orsequential order of appearance.
- Reward- the reward can be an animated sequence or be a colour cycle, with visual appearance options including vivid, metallic, pastel or one colour.
- Speed -there are nine speed settings. The fastest is quite mesmerizing!
- Activities -you can set up the program so that the user receives an instant response with1 step, or a response with apause, or promote more interaction with three or five steps to encourage greater effort. The1 step is ideal for switch training where you want the child to achieve every time.
- Sound - you can elect to have the sound on or off.
- OK - you have set all of the conditions and are ready to play again.
- Exit - this is where you quit and leave the program.
- Open/Save you can save a setup by name (for individual users) and then open them at any
Almost all cause and effect programs feature switch building levels. These usually involve the child creating a picture or scene, ‘building’ it step-by-step with repeated switch presses or mouse clicks, or by touching the touch monitor. For many learners, switch building can serve as a useful next stage in the progression from cause and effect to making independent choices.
All switch building programs allow you to choose the number of steps the child will have to complete before receiving a reward. Initially you should start at one step where a single switch press will build up the scene and play the animation in much the same way as programs like Big Bang. When you feel the learner is ready you can change the settings to three presses.
Platforms:
Win/Mac CD
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