SwitchIt! Maker
by Gerry Kennedy
For PC Compatible running Windows
SwitchIt! Maker (now SwitchIt! Maker 2) is a new innovative software package from Inclusive Technology (in the UK). It is has been designed as an easy to use multi media program for creating linear early learning activities. The program provides opportunities for introducing switch skills, promoting cause-and-effect and developing learning outcomes for students who have special needs. It is ideal for making electronic onscreen interactive activities that help children learn early concepts and develop their switch skills. Clients of all ages can benefit as teachers, parents therapists and trainers can construct and make relevant activities using any pictures and sounds. It can be used to introduce sequencing, invite users to read, listen and follow instructions. Talking stories and simple dialogues can be created using scanned pictures and photos, digital images and/or sound files captured from CD-ROMs or sampled (i.e. recorded) with a microphone.
SwitchIt! Maker can import and handle most popular graphic formats. You can use pictures and images from clip art libraries or those you have ‘‘taken’ from the Internet. You can add sounds and sound effects or use sound files from other sources. Music clips can also be used. NOTE: It is wise to keep the sound quality at a reasonable level and only import short excerpts as they are better than long passages (due to large memory and storage requirements).
SwitchIt! Maker can be purchased as a single licensed version, a 5-user pack or as a site licence. The software is packaged on a CD-ROM. It is ideal for pre-school, early intervention centres and special and mainstream school settings. You can create, design and make your own switch activities. It will be a much sort after program for adult training and leisure centres where clients have either specific access or special learning needs. To interact with the program, users can choose from one or two switches, an IntelliKeys membrane board, mouse, ‘switched’ mouse, keyboard or touch window. One or two switches can be set up with a Serial Switch Interface or Don Johnston PC Switch Interface, or overlays can be sent automatically to IntelliKeys – with the left switch being programmed as the ‘space bar’, the right switch, the ‘enter’ key.
There are a number of example files ready to use. There are different types of activities, promoting ideas, strategies and frameworks to potential ‘programmers’. Each activity has an associated sound effect; visual and/or auditory prompt which is both clear and unambiguous. The figure ground (i.e. visual complexity of the screen) of each sample file demonstrates leading practice and this strategy should be heeded. Uncluttered screens with a plain white or black background usually work best. It is always useful to design to accommodate users who are vision impaired. This normally accrues benefit to most others users as well.
Example files include:
Grow: this shows a sequence of pictures that show how to grow a plant. It is clearly voiced.
Count: a simple yet very effective counting activity. You count from one to five.
Abstract: a cause-and-effect display of interesting colourful designs – a collage of colour with fun sound effects. The ten screens have visually stimulating graphics accompanied with music.
Time: a clever use of the program. It simply shows a clock face with each hour in sequence from one to twelve o’clock.
Digger: count to five, with a construction vehicle built up with 5 key/switch presses. Ideal for touch window users!
LeftRight: an aural and visual treat, with arrows moving left to right, with a sound following the direction in stereo.
Kim 1 and Kim 2: objects are removed from a scene one at a time. You must determine which one was removed. The digital images are clear and bright. The real-life, high quality pictures invite participation and use of memory skills.
Town: This is an interesting activity as it demonstrates the inherent power and versatility of this program. A set of photographs illustrates and describes the various parts of “town’. This exercise can be used very successfully for showing the areas of a school, the classroom (i.e. location and storage of items) or advertise a suburban or country setting.
Lets’ Make a Picture: Another simple yet effective activity where you must guess a ‘picture’ as it is being built.
Down: A ball is moved down one step at a time left to right. Visually enticing, with a red ball on a black background.
SwitchIt! Maker is a welcome addition to our product range of special needs software. Not only does it have useful and well designed, pre-made activities, but you can also be ‘in charge’ as well with facilities to design your own switch programs. It is up to you! I strongly endorse SwitchIt! Maker – it is one of the best programs that I have used for a number of years.
NOTE: SwitchIt! titles may be purchased as single, 5 user or 10 user licence copies. The prices represent significant savings for multiple copies. This is ideal for schools, pre-school as well as early intervention centres. There is also a Network licence (Windows only).