Spider in the Kitchen!
by Gerry Kennedy
Spider in the Kitchen!
For PC Compatibles running Windows 95/98 and Macintosh Computers
Spider in the Kitchen! From Inclusive Technology
Spider in the Kitchen! from Inclusive Technology, a leading UK software company, is an exciting software program comprising 3 fun activities designed for young children and special needs users. The installation from the new CD-ROM version is very straightforward. The program has been designed for MS Windows 95/98 and for Macintosh Computers. There are single, 5-user and network licence versions available.
The first activity, Sequencing, assists in helping users understand and practise sequencing. The delightful graphics and clear digitised speech motivate and encourage users to participate. Various tasks are presented in a series of scenarios in the kitchen where users must correctly place events in order. The user is presented with a situation (e.g. making toast) where a correct sequence must be undertaken by the user in order to see and hear the animated reward. The pictures are generic in their design so they are age appropriate and cater to users in both schools and adult training centres/residences.
As in Guess Where, the main character is a nifty spider who appears in each reward screen. The program contains simple and repetitive language. The human quality speech directs the user voicing all instructions, prompts and rewards. Teachers, trainers and parents can select speech and sound effects and turn them on or off. Text can be hidden or revealed as well. The sound effects are fun and add to the high quality programming style of the software. Question “thinking time” can be set to 5-20 second intervals so that users can look, consider their response then choose the next object in the sequence. Pauses between each question can also be selected from 2-10 second intervals. Screens are uncluttered with good figure ground, so it is suitable for users who are vision impaired. You can set up the playing conditions and then save the file for a student or client so that the program is tailored to meet their individual requirements each time they play. This feature is very practical and will save a great deal of time and frustration.
Users of all ages and abilities will enjoy the Sequencing activity, as the content and premise are universal. Everyday tasks commonly associated with preparing food and performing tasks in a kitchen environment are offered in a non-threatening manner. Users can access the software using a single or double switch. Scanning speeds from 1-10 as well as pauses between each “event” can be set and saved. You can select from mouse switches, keyboard/serial switches, serial switches or IntelliKeys. When IntelliKeys is selected, the corresponding overlay and switch settings are sent automatically to the popular membrane board. The Scan Picture box can be set to nine different images (incorporating three colours with three shapes). A Scan Beep feature can be turned on to provide auditory feedback to switch users.
Activities include making cereal, toast, a sandwich and a cup of tea. Typical language that is voiced and presented as text include, ‘What will you do first?’ , ‘What will you do next?’ and ‘What will you do now?’. Other prompts include such directions as – “Use these things to make some cereal.” “Pour some cereal into the bowl – watch the bowl fill.” “You have already poured cereal into the bowl.” Rewards provide positive feedback with comments such as “Well done!” and “Congratulations!”
Users will discover that they can practise using Sequencing and then perform these tasks off computer. COMPICS, PCS and other pictographs could be used for extension, revision and as prompts, with teachers using charts, posters or flash cards to highlight and describe the objects. There are two other activities on this CD-ROM including “Where” and “Positions”.
Guess Where? is a wonderful activity for developing problem solving skills and for introducing cause-and-effect as well as visual tracking. It assists in the development of language and concepts. The package has the kitchen environment as its theme, with a spider that hides behind and in objects. The various hiding places include milk bottles, saucepans, bowls, cheese, the refrigerator and cupboards.
After choosing Spider in the Kitchen! Guess Where, you are greeted with a title page that gives the user two choices. You can either find the spider in ‘Guess Where’ or locate and reveal where the spider is hiding in ‘Put Things Away’. In the first activity, you can choose from three parts. The easiest level involves choosing between two objects. When you correctly select the object, the spider runs away. The second level has three potential hiding places, and the hardest is clicking on numerous hiding spots in a picture of a kitchen. In ‘Put Things Away’ you can choose from one or two targets. An object moves about the screen, and when it moves next to a target, you press your switch or IntelliKeys overlay or click on the mouse.
Children may use the mouse, touch screen (as direct access methods or elect to use a single or double switch. The scanning rate can be changed (with a 1-10 speed setting), as can the target shape and colour. An auditory beep can be selected for scanning. You can use either the mouse buttons as your switch, keyboard or serial switches or choose a switch serial program. A switch/keyboard buffer can be set from 0.5 to 3-second intervals. IntelliKeys can also be used, with an overlay being sent to the board automatically (if it is attached). These access features and options are comprehensive and provide customised access to a wide range of clients’ needs. The software developers have included a number of clever new features in this entertaining and motivating program. It can be used with students of all ages, especially older students and adults who are intellectually disabled. Visual scanning skills are required, as is the ability to “wait” and watch (particularly in the second part, Put Things Away. Users can work independently and gain confidence and self esteem as they find the spider.
The language used is an important feature. Users are presented with auditory prompts and rewards. Typical statements include, “A crispy roast chicken, but a spider, there’s not” or “Some pans and some pots, but a spider, there’s not” and “Creeping inside, it found a good place to hide.” Others include: “It was nearly washed clean in the washing machine” and “What do you think?’, ‘Was it stuck in the sink?’. The sense of fun and real life experience of actually seeing a spider is fully appreciated when the spider quickly scrambles across the screen after having been exposed.
You can elect have the high quality digitised speech turned on or off, with sound effects and hidden/revealed text options as well. You can also reveal the pictures 1-10 times (great for users who enjoy or require repetition and practice) with a pause setting for users who need to either slow down or who take time to attend. The question timing can be set with a 5 to 20 second delay. Another handy feature is the save and load file. This is where the teacher, trainer or parent can set up the program to meet an individual’s or group needs and save it with a filename. These files can be loaded later at any time.
Spider in the Kitchen! has a great deal to offer. Pre and post computer activities can assist in introducing and developing concepts such as in, on, over, behind, in front of and on top. Teachers can promote the use of expressive language to describe the spider’s actions. They are fun activities, will full of surprises.
There are three “Spider in the Kitchen!” activities on this CD, “Guess Where”, “Sequencing” and “Positions”. It represents very good value! It is packaged on a hybrid Win/Mac CD and is very easy to install and use.