IntelliKeys and IntelliTools Programs: Solutions for Everyone!
by Gerry Kennedy
IntelliKeys – Solutions for Everyone
For PC Compatibles running MS Windows 95/98 and Mac OS computers
INTELLIKEYS – ACCESS FOR ALL
IntelliKeys means physical, visual and cognitive access for people with a wide range of disabilities. It is the centrepiece of a complete system of communication, education and enjoyment.
IntelliKeys plugs directly into your Macintosh or PC-compatible computer keyboard port (using the appropriate cable to suit your computer model). You can select from one of the seven ready-made overlays (packaged with IntelliKeys) or make your own. People who use switches can choose from two built-in programmable switch jacks. A choice of 11 settings gives quick and easy access to popular switch software (e.g. Switch Basics, Teach Me to Talk, SoftTouch titles and the popular SwitchIt! Series.)
As IntelliKeys is an alternate keyboard, you can use ANY software to complete ANY task. It’s so simple… yet so powerful. Plug in IntelliKeys; slide in a standard overlay, press, and go! Use it with ANY text-based software.
KEYBOARDS AND KIDS
For years, teachers have commented on how the standard QWERTY keyboard has been a barrier and impediment to many of their students in completing their work, especially in primary classrooms. The letters are arranged in such a way as to confuse children. All the letters are in capitals. Other keys that many students don’t need add to the confusion. Visually, the QWERTY keyboard is challenging for young children and those who are vision impaired and/or intellectually disabled.
Typing tasks become difficult, time is often wasted and frustrated students and teachers lose interest and enthusiasm in using computer software. With limited computer resources, turn taking involves hours of rotating students in order to provide each child with equal time. A simple word processing exercise may take two days – with students only having a limited time to complete his or her work. Under-achievers and students who have learning difficulties are further disadvantaged as they often struggle to finish.
WHY USE INTELLIKEYS?
IntelliKeys assists students as it provides quick and easy access to software programs. You can use the packaged overlays or make your own with Overlay Maker. It’s simple, elegant … and it works!
Overlay Maker
A companion package (sold separately for Mac or PC), Overlay Maker, is also available. You can create your own custom overlays. Colour or black and white overlays can be created in minutes, allowing users to work independently. It is an intuitive and easy program to use.
Available for both Macintosh and Windows, Overlay Maker works like a drawing program, packed with features and it even has a Picture Library with over 300 graphics. You are in control. Overlay Maker comes with over 20 sample overlay files for communication, language, maths, arts, and more. Samples include disk files, ready for you to use and/or customise. Just follow these steps:
1. Design it. Draw your overlay on the screen, creating keys of any size and location. Type text and/or paste a picture (use Picture Library graphics or choose from your own pictograph set). Edit the key contents. Save the finished overlay.
2. Print it. Print black and white or colour. Then slide your printed ‘artwork’ into IntelliKeys.
3. Send it. From the file menu, choose Send. IntelliKeys instantly re-configures to match your custom designed overlay.
4. Choose your favourite piece of software (eg. IntelliTalk – a talking word processor). You’re ready to work and enjoy learning.
Over the years, numerous schools, teachers, teacher aides, therapists, parents and students have created and designed overlays for learning – language, maths, SOSE, science and for projects and assignments. Others have made overlays for communication and switch access. These have been posted up to the web so that you can quickly download them as use them with your students or clients.
Some handy web addresses include:
www.intellitools.com (and then choose Activity Exchange), www.ceo.woll.catholic.edu.au/home/jdavies/, www.discover.tased.edu.au (and then type “intellikeys”) into the Search engine.
These and other sites have resources ready to download, free of charge. Some have overlays ready to use with IntelliTalk. Others have IntelliPics files. These IntelliPics activities are linked with the overlays. You simply download the free copy of IntelliPics Player from the IntelliTools site and install it. You can then use these example files immediately with IntelliKeys. On the IntelliTools Activity Exchange you can also acquire Overlay Sender (Mac or PC) and Overlay Printer (Mac or PC). IntelliTools has made it so easy for anyone to use their software and share it with others – world wide. Spectronics will soon be providing an Activity Exchange for Australian schools with overlays designed for classroom application, communication and switch access to popular titles (including those made with ClickIt!).
ACCESS MADE EASY
IntelliKeys is an ideal tool in the classroom as it is so easy to set up and use… with so many innovative features. There are now curriculum software kits available – designed in Australia and the U.S.A. Hands on Concepts have been busily creating a number of kits that match the curriculum needs of Australian schools. There are currently 6 titles and they are all available.
HOW DO I USE INTELLIKEYS?
Ideally, IntelliKeys works in tandem with another IntelliTools product, IntelliTalk. IntelliTalk is a talking word processor, available for Macintosh computers and for PC-compatibles in a Windows 95/98 version (the PC version requires a sound card installed for speech output).
Essentially, IntelliTalk is a basic word processor with voices. IntelliTalk has easy-to-use menus and numerous voice and speech options that make it a perfect introductory package in primary schools or for students with special needs. Students can choose from a wide variety of fonts and sizes. Teachers (or parents) can improve visual discrimination by adjusting font and background colours.
Students send an overlay to IntelliKeys or simply slide it one of the seven standard overlays and begin work. Letters, words and sentences can be spoken using the voice selected in IntelliTalk. Students see, press, and hear text! Pictures, pictographs, symbols, scanned images and graphics acquired from the Internet can also be used in the creation of IntelliKeys overlays. This multi sensory learning caters to all students. Students can choose male, female or a child’s voice, decide how fast or slow the computer speaks or modify pronunciation by using the built-in pronunciation editor. When you combine IntelliTalk with IntelliKeys and Overlay Maker, it becomes an indispensable part of your curriculum. [NOTE: IntelliTalk II will soon be released in Australia in late 2000].
Hands-On Concepts
These innovative products provide fully inclusive pre-reading and pre-maths activities. They are a comprehensive set of readiness activities that make learning come alive for children with disabilities and, importantly, for peers as well. The carefully designed activities compliment your curriculum. They feature a range of integrated support materials to effectively use your Macintosh or PC-compatible as a whole language tool in the classroom. Full colour overlays provide stimulating and motivating experiences on the computer, while creative off-computer activities such as paper dolls, playing cards and storybooks provide extension.
A range of overlay packs is available, including:
Animal Habitats: Suggested Grades K-2
Animal Habitats reinforces phonics and basic skills with a theme based collection of early learning activities. It is a fully inclusive theme based series for younger students and uses an appealing original story book to introduce students to five unique habitats: the Jungle, the Desert, the Grasslands, the Mountains and the Arctic. The program also includes a disk of animal graphics, files of the printed overlays that come with the program as well as alternate versions of each overlay (which can be further customised for students with special needs). Animal Habitats includes: a full-colour, 16 page original story book, five animated computer activities (each with its own durable plastic overlay) and a comprehensive 77 page Teacher’s Resource Guide, filled with on and off-computer curriculum extensions- (with black line masters).[Mac and now Windows 95/98]
Hungry Shark and Friends: Suggested Grades K-2
This collection of six activities uses animated graphics and recorded sounds to build early reading and maths skills. Each activity focuses on a different set of skills and comes with its own colourful overlay. The Hungry Shark and Friends includes: Six animated activities, 6 plastic overlays, writing extensions using IntelliTalk, 30 pages of enrichment activities, reproducible masters, special adaptation for switch users. (Mac and PC)
Recently released kits include:
- Five Cuddly Teddy Bears Story Kit
- The Colourful Caterpillar Story Kit
- The Little Dough Man Story Kit
- Old McDonald Story Kit
OTHER CURRICULUM PACKS
Also available from IntelliTools which can be used with IntelliKeys, IntelliTalk IntelliPics and Overlay Maker:
Exploring Patterns: Students who have difficulty using manipulatives or need additional practice can explore patterns where they can copy, complete and create hundreds of patterns of increasing complexity. (Mac)
Exploring Patterns Colouring Book: introduces students
to patterns all around them.(Mac)
MathPad: students perform arithmetic problems – addition, subtraction, division and multiplication – directly on the computer. There are 300 sample problems. Teachers and students can make their own. MathPad displays each problem in the correct vertical format. (Mac and PC)
MathPad Plus New Title! -introduces fractions and decimals. (Mac and PC)
Number Concepts with Oshi the Otter- high quality animation and graphics, with switch access to counting activities, addition and subtraction and greater/less than concepts. (Mac and PC)
SwitchIt! Titles – all work with IntelliKeys to provide switch access (Mac and PC)
SoftTouch and KidTECH titles – a range of early learning, cause-and-effect switch programs (Mac and PC)
Early Maths with Spider and Friends (Mac and PC)
Spider in the Kitchen CD (3 activities) (Mac and PC)
Edmark programs (4 titles) (Mac and PC)
Living Books(numerous titles) (Mac and PC)
Attainment Software(numerous titles) (Mac and PC)
More software is being released in late 2000. Watch the Spectronics web site for more information and news of some new and exciting maths programs for older students.