IntelliKeys Review
by Gerry Kennedy
IntelliKeys
For PC Compatibles running MS Windows 3.1/95/98 and Mac OS computers
A Keyboard for All Students
IntelliKeys is an innovative and stylish input device. It can be used as a communication board, as an alternate expanded keyboard or as a switch “interface” for one or two switches. It has two switch ports for students who are physically disabled. It can be used in both mainstream and special needs settings and is ideal in an inclusive tool in a mainstream classroom. All students benefit from using IntelliKeys as it provides a more intuitive and practical input method than that of a conventional QWERTY keyboard.
IntelliKeys accommodates users who have physically disabilities and also caters to users who have learning difficulties. The IntelliTools Overlay Maker software (sold separately as versions for Mac or PC) allows you to design make and use your own overlays. It’s exciting to use as it offers flexibility, functionality, and numerous practical features and has an easy-to-use interface. Teachers and students can create, design, print and start using overlays in minutes. The package is partly a desktop publishing and drawing program with numerous handy features and a clip art library of over 200 colour pictures.
The “Smart” Keyboard
Essentially, IntelliKeys is a new generation overlay keyboard. Robust ergonomically designed and engineered, as well as aesthetically pleasing, it is fully featured, having received a number of awards in the United States of America for innovation and design excellence since 1993.
The board area for the overlays is (8.5” x 14”) in size. It uses US Legal size paper. It has a low profile and has three indicator lights that light up as data is received. Using specifically designed cables; it can connect to Apple Macintosh computers (including PowerBooks) as well as to PC-compatible computers, ranging from 80286 to Pentium models (including Notebooks). Upon purchase, you receive one cable to suit your computer, with extra cables available on request (sold separately).
IntelliKeys has a unique bar code reading facility that automatically reads each of the eight overlays that come packaged with every board. Straight from the box, it is extremely easy to use. The facility to swap between computer platforms promotes even greater use in schools where teachers and students have access to multiple computer types. As cost is always a major consideration, the usefulness of a device relies on its breadth of purpose and ease of use. Teachers immediately recognise useful, practical solutions that can assist them in their teaching. Every child can use IntelliKeys across the entire curriculum.
Overlays to Go
Packaged with seven brightly coloured overlays, the 128 cell touch keyboard automatically reads the bar code on the back of each overlay as it is laid onto the surface. It is then ready to use in about three seconds. The necessary data is loaded into the IntelliKeys’ memory. The data can then be used at any time where it makes sense – in the operating system, with talking word processors (e.g. IntelliTalk, Inclusive Writer, Writing With Symbols) in data handling packages (e.g. MS Excel, FileMaker Pro) and most importantly, in educational software. Additional software packages specifically designed for IntelliKeys are also available.
IntelliKeys provides limitless use – it’s up to the user’s creativity and imagination. As it requires very little expertise, it caters to a range of users, including children of all ages, adults, users who have a physically disability and people who have learning difficulties. It is a powerful tool in the hands of young learners pre-school and Junior Primary for literacy, numeracy and concept development. Older students can use it to develop language, work on projects, develop multimedia files using IntelliPics (sold separately) or use it as a “macro tool” on the Internet in email or using IRC (Internet Relay Chat).
It saves valuable time, as it is so easy to connect and set up. The frustration normally associated with the installation and configuration often attributed to overlay boards, is not longer an issue. You merely connect one end of the “Y” cable into your keyboard port (AT or PS/2 style on a PC, ADB on a Macintosh). You then connect your keyboard cable into the other “Y” cable connector. Then connect the opposite cable end into IntelliKeys. Start up your computer, and it’s ready to use. Slip in an overlay with a bar code, and in three seconds, it is ready! The mouse and QWERTY keyboard work as well. The whole set up, operation and connection is fuss free, and so easy to use!
Built-in Access
Some people have difficulty pressing two keys at once. With IntelliKeys, the user just needs to press the SHIFT key followed by a letter in order to type a capital letter – so they can press two keys in succession, not two keys at once. Some people cannot use a mouse. They can use the Arrows Overlay to move the mouse pointer in any direction. Using a setup overlay that comes with the board, you can change the key repeat delay, sensitivity of the surface, required lift off and all number of specific settings. You therefore accommodate the user with the board responding accurately to their access needs.
The two built-in switch connectors really make IntelliKeys a powerful flexible switch interface. You can choose from 11 settings that work with popular switch software. Numerous early learning software packages from the UK (Inclusive Software – Opposites, Build 1, Spider in the Kitchen Suite, First Looks Things and First Looks Patterns) will work automatically with IntelliKeys. Select the IntelliKeys option in each program. The appropriate overlay is sent as you move through each part of the software. New programs from SoftTouch in the USA, (Switch Basics CD and Teach me to Talk CD) work in a similar manner. Select the IntelliKeys option in the software, and the overlays are automatically sent to the board. It’s that easy! No more messing about with switch configurations or being frustrated by technical hassles. Children can then choose to use the board, one or two switches, keyboard, mouse or Touch Window. Taking turns, co-operative learning and children working together with integrated students makes this board invaluable in all school settings.
Hot Spots
Using ClickIt! (available for Macintosh and for PC/Windows) you can create and program “Hot Spots” and assign switch scanning to access these areas on the screen. This caters to people who wish to use resource CD-ROM’s, Living Books, the Internet browsers such as Netscape Navigator or MS Explorer or other software that is not specifically designed for switch users. Teachers can now adapt mainstream software for switch users, or modify access for children who require an alternate expanded keyboard. ClickIt! provides easy switch access to ANY software on your Mac or PC.
IntelliKeys does not tap into your computer’s memory. It doesn’t conflict with your operating system or your application software. It has its own built-in memory and remembers your special access settings and keeps custom overlays saved, even when the computer is turned off. When overlays are sent to IntelliKeys, the lights flash and an auditory “beep” sound is made. There is no guesswork, no fuss. You can disconnect the board and plug it in to another computer. The overlay last sent to the board, is still resident in memory. Simply lay the overlay “artwork” onto the board, and begin work. It’s great for sharing about a classroom, or from room to room, or from school to home. The Overlay Sender program can be loaded onto ALL of your school or home based computers. It will allow you to “send” overlays that you have created, acquired, modified or edited in Overlay Maker. Or, simply use the Internet and go to http://www.intellitools.com and download ready-made overlays from their site!
Additional Support Products
A clear overlay made of durable plastic is included. You can use this to protect all of your custom paper overlays, or to avoid dirty hands and accidental spills. There are sets of IntelliKeys Snap-In Keyguards that simply snap into IntelliKeys on top of an overlay. Keyguards help people make accurate choices by providing spatial separation and preventing unintentional keystrokes. They are made of durable acrylic with precision-laser-cut holes that isolate each key on IntelliKeys.
Ready Made Packs
A range of ready-made overlay curriculum packs can be purchased for the Macintosh. Exploring Patterns (problem solving with patterns from P-4) is available for Mac OS only. Other packs include: Animal Habitats, Hungry Shark and Friends, The Colourful Caterpillar Story Kit and the Five Cuddly Teddies Story Kit – all available from Hands on Concepts. MathPad (an innovative four operations maths black-line master generator and onscreen interactive program for P-6), and MathPad Plus both work with IntelliKeys as does Number Concepts I with Oshi the Otter. Instant Access to Edmark Software (including Sammy’s Science House, Millie’s Math House and Bailey’s Book House Thinkin’ Things 1), as well as Instant Access to Living Books (various titles) are available for both Windows and Mac OS. More software is being released later this year in 2000. Quick, easy and elegant access – use IntelliKeys as an enlarged keyboard or as a switch interface.
These ready made packs are wonderful as students can now use software titles that were previously designed for mouse access. They provide for small group or partner work and support the philosophy on “inclusion”, rather than exclusion, in mainstream classrooms.
Watch out for IntelliPics II and IntelliTalk II (late 2000). The IntelliKeys story is growing daily as schools and parents discover the power, ease of use and flexibility of the IntelliTools range of products. IntelliKeys is the driving force in changing how we present and provide information for children and older users. It’s just so friendly and easy to use!