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Learning to Use Two Switches
When
using switches, children often progress through different stages of control.
They first need to develop an awareness of cause and effect - the relationship
between a switch press and the resulting reward.
A more complex stage of switch control is decision making, which involves a scanning process controlled by one or two switches. Progressing to this stage allows a much wider range of curriculum material to be accessed and activities can become more complex, as appropriate to the child's abilities.
Some children may prefer to carry out this scanning process using two switches. This can also help to develop a child's social skills, as they share the operation of the switches and cooperate with others by taking turns.
Understanding the function of two switches
Children learning to use two switches first need to grasp the concept that each one has a different function. A fun way to learn about this is to attach a switch to a toy and use another to give an auditory message. For example, one could control a bubble machine while a BIGmack switch, which replays a recorded message, could be pressed to ask for more bubble mixture. Switches can also be connected to the Penny & Giles Inclusive 4Talk4, to provide a choice of pre-recorded messages.
Special devices such as the Cooperative Switch Box, for connecting toys and switches, can take this a step further by increasing the range of control allowed by the switch. With two switches and a battery operated toy connected, a range of settings help switch users to learn to work together and take turns. Children can learn that pressing both switches will turn on the toy, or that one switch turns it on and one turns it off, and so on. Activities like turning the toy on and off using alternate switches help to discourage unwanted repeat switch pressing.
Two switches and the computer
To gradually introduce the use of two switches connected to a computer, the teacher or parent could start off by operating one of them. The child could use their switch to move onto their choice of on screen activity, for example, before indicating to the teacher to use theirs to select it. Or, one switch could be positioned further away and moved closer gradually, as the child becomes accustomed to it.
Software that introduces two switches
SwitchIt! Scenes is a simple cause and effect program but gives users the option to use two switches, so that children can take it in turns pressing their switch to build up the elements of a scene. In this way it uses a familiar concept, but takes it one step further. It can also be operated by random switch selection rather than by pressing them alternately - the child has to look at the visual clue on screen and decide which switch needs to be pressed.
Abrakadabra and Disco can also be used to gradually introduce two-switch operation, by building on simple cause and effect activities. They contain nice clear images and rewards that are easy to understand. The child can select from a range of pictures on the screen - Disco allows the number of images to be changed to make the activity more or less complicated, while Abrakadabra contains ten at a time.
Scanning skills
Learning scanning techniques can be a major hurdle for some learners. They need to be introduced gradually, in small steps, using appropriate and interesting activities. Children need to become accustomed to a 'one to move, one to choose' action - one switch moves the cursor or selector around the screen, while the other selects an item, just like a mouse click. When learning this kind of skill, it helps to have switches that are differentiated; for example, AbleNet switches are available in different sizes and colours. It is also helpful to label switches, to remind children of their purpose.
ChooseIt! Maker is a simple program that allows you to create activities tailored for your learners. It moves on from the cause and effect concept, to making decisions. For example one switch could be used to move between images of two cats and a dog. The second switch can then be used to select the odd one out. A ready-made program which helps to develop these skills is Choices. Decisions are made between different on screen objects, for example to decide 'what shall I wear?'
When the child has developed this skill, there are lots of simple programs available that can be operated using two switches.
More complex programs like IntelliTalk II, IntelliMathics, Writing with Symbols and Clicker 5 can also be accessed using with two switches and are suitable for more advanced learners.
For further information about using switches click
here.
Alternative switches such
as the Tash Grasp Switch and
Soft Switch, which suit the needs
of different users, are now available in our catalogue.