[senit] dramatic cause-effect programs

thanks Claire. Switchit facemaker was great on red

Richard writes...

"But I really don't have the time to
create them, use them in school and
support the web site any more."

I for one am really sorry to hear this.
Richard's innovate work both on the Meldreth web site and in the
development (and most importantly sharing) of accessible multimedia has
been an inspiration to myself and I am sure many other colleagues around
the country. The Priory Woods web site and those that have followed it
simply wouldn't have happened without Richard sharing his ideas and
showing what might be possible.

Without doubt there is a shortage of high quality cause and effect
software especially at the level of visual stimulation and early control
skills. I can't say too much at present but I do know that Inclusive
Technology are addressing this in upcoming development projects.

Using MS Photostory is one way to create more dynamic content for
SwitchIt! Maker 2. I made a couple just recently for a child using high
contrast patterns of coloured dots made in an art package. The slide
transition time was kept less than one second to speed up the animation.
If I get a few minutes, I'll upload the file to the PW site so you can
see what I have done. Remember too that there are some cheap utilities
that will convert swf to mov which will enable them to be used with
SwitchIt! Maker 2.

Ian Bean | Information & Training Manager
Inclusive Technology
Riverside Court,
Huddersfield Road,
Delph, 
Oldham, 
OL3 5FZ.

Tel: 01457 819790  
Mob:07980 236455
Fax: 01457 819799
Email: ianbean at inclusive.co.uk  
Web: www.inclusive.co.uk

Company Reg: 3525459
Registered in England

-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Richard Walter
Sent: 22 March 2007 18:44
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: Re: [senit] dramatic cause-effect programs

The difficulty I've found with 
software to develop access skills 
(simple cause and effect: building: 
turntaking: timing: scanning) is 
that is not enough commercial software.
The programs have to be hugely 
motivating, age appropriate and 
varied. It must contain the 
music/sounds/graphics that the 
student really reacts to, working a 
switch for most of our pupils is 
desperately hard so it must be worth 
it (effort/reward balance) and
As Linda Burkhart says repetition 
with small changes is crucial.

The only way I've found to meet the 
above criteria (not forgetting 
important budgetary considerations) 
is to create the software myself.
so I've flooded the school with 
purpose built accessible multimedia 
created in Powerpoint/ ChooseItmaker 
but mainly in Opus.
Single switch full screen patterns 
with sounds/rhythms/music, single 
and two switch operated shows with 
all kinds of music including pop and 
classical .
Accessible stories and literacy for 
pupils with pmld is another area 
that I think you need to create 
yourself, since what works with 
stories is even more difficult.

Flash, Opus, PowerPoint can all be 
used to create the type of 
accessible multimedia suitable for 
the development of "cause
and effect, switch-building, 
targeting and timing".
Personally I find Opus does 
everything I want to with the 
greatest ease.
It isn't difficult, I can train 
people in how to create the 
multimedia themselves so you don't 
ever need to be in the predicament 
of not having enough and enough 
suitable software for switch users.

I also use all the other resources 
already mentioned off the internet.

And please please don't forget the 
most advanced causal device ever 
invented: human interaction.

I haven't put anything new on the 
school website for a long time, but 
there is still some switch animated 
music multimedia you can download 
for single and two switches on there 
(www.meldrethmanor.org.uk under 
teaching).
But I really don't have the time to 
create them, use them in school and 
support the web site any more.

Richard Walter
Meldreth Manor School

david fettes wrote:
> thanks Claire. Switchit facemaker was great on red
> nose day! I like switchitmaker 2 and have made a few
> photostory switch videos. however the type of
> animation in switchit-patterns would be difficult to
> do in sw maker 2? the sen-switcher uses flash files
> but they wont go in sw maker 2? any other solutuins to
> getting that type of effect with ability to put in
> your own music? 
> david
> --- Claire Barnes
> <clairebarnes at willowdeneschool.co.uk> wrote:
> 
>> Hi David
>>
>> I'm currently struggling with the same thing - and
>> my conclusion is there is
>> not an awful lot out there (particularly that stick
>> to my criteria, which is
>> that it must be possible to purchase a site
>> licence!). I'm looking for good
>> quality, motivating switch-operated software at a
>> number of levels (cause
>> and effect, switch-building, targeting and timing)
>> and have come up with a
>> few titles we don't have, but I can't recommend
>> them, because we won't be
>> buying them until after April (budget!). 
>>
>> We're going to give SwitchIt FaceMaker a go, which
>> looks good for a wide
>> range of users, as well as ToyShop and Build It (all
>> from Inclusive).
>>
>> As for things we have and use, the Priory Woods
>> switch operated videos are
>> great, but most do not require switch-building. I'm
>> also a huge fan of
>> SwitchIt Maker2 because it is so easy to use (even
>> for ICT-phobics). And I
>> know it's a "create your own" solution, but you can
>> really tailor the images
>> / video / audio to children's interests. If you make
>> them along the lines of
>> the SwitchIt Series, with images that build up or
>> change, then a burst of
>> audio or video (or both) to let the user know they
>> have completed the
>> sequence. And of course there is SEN-Switcher.
>>
>> But I doubt if I'm telling you anything new...sorry!
>>
>> If anyone does know of great resources - I'd love to
>> hear too.
>>
>> Claire Barnes
>> Willow Dene School
>>