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SwitchIt! Gadgets

Early Learning with Switches

SwitchIt! Gadgets is one package in the popular SwitchIt! Series produced in the UK by Inclusive Technology. The various gadgets displayed onscreen are appropriate for users of all ages who use one or two switches. It is an entertaining package that provides opportunities for learning concepts and for developing and practising switch skills. The clear primary-coloured graphics are generic in design. The actions and switch prompts (i.e. the cues are both auditory and visual) cater to a large age range, including adults who have an intellectual disability. The modern gadgets are accompanied with animated effects and music or sound effects. Gadgets include a ghetto blaster with cassette tape, stereo with a music CD, a radio, fax machine, camera, a stop watch, mobile phone, video recorder and TV, computer with a modem and an alarm clock. The graphics are very well drawn and will appeal to a wide audience. All of the gadgets can be printed as well.

There are ten animated pictures. The user may elect to be rewarded with just one 'press' or touch/click of the mouse (i.e. instant reward and gratification), or three or five presses. The figure ground (i.e. visual complexity of the screen) is excellent. The display can be altered at any time with choice of background colour options. This provides for clear colour differentiation. SwitchIt! Gadgets certainly accommodates users who are vision impaired.

The activities include animated objects that are typically used in today's technology rich society. These images can be selected to appear sequentially or randomly. Sequential caters to users who require consistency, or familiarity. It also provides for "what's next" type questions to promote short term memory, attention and recognition of objects and shapes. The Random mode alleviates boredom and predictability for other users. This flexibility is important and is a great feature.

Each gadget picture activity begins with a blank screen. A picture of a 'switch' appears, prompting the user to 'press'. If the user does not respond in a given time frame (which can be set by the teacher, aide, parent or therapist) then an auditory and/or visual prompt alerts them to participate and engage in the activity. A beep, 'swoop' or siren sound effect is played, with the image of the switch appropriately animated.

The software has various preference settings. The first provides options to turn the gadget picture on or off. You can turn sound effects on and off as well. You load and save preferences. This feature allows you to set up the program settings, input, scene and sound effects options for a user and then save it as a 'profile'. Each time you work with a user, you can load his or her file. This saves time and avoids having to set up individual preferences each time a user participates.

Access Options

In the Access area you choose one switch, two-switch mouse, touch screen, or two-switch alternate (i.e. for taking turns or introducing left/right concepts). You can use mouse switches, or auto-run the serial switch program (it looks for an attached switch interface). Similarly, you can elect to auto-load IntelliKeys. An overlay will be sent immediately to the IntelliKeys keyboard (if it is attached). 'Steps to Build' include 1, 3 and 5 steps. The background colour can be set to one of ten (10) different colours. The left switch and right switches can be set to one of seven (7) colours. Pauses ranging from 5, 10, 15 and 20 seconds can be chosen with visual and aural reminders turned on or off. A 'time to remember' setting provides for users who take time to respond or attend, especially young children or for those who need to lift their head, look, think, then respond with their device.

The software is packed on a CD-ROM. It can be purchased as a single licensed version, a 5-user pack, 10 user or as a network licence. Reasonably priced, it is ideal for pre-school, early intervention centres and special school settings where a number of groups or classes could use it on a daily basis. Have fun with these gadgets in your classroom or at home! Children will especially enjoy manipulating them and playing with their switch!