Day+5

What are your reactions to the alternate input devices that you used today?

Katie: I learned a lot after doing last nights readings and trying all of the switch devices. I really enjoyed watching the videos about all the different assistive devices. I think it is great that there is such a variety of switches to use. I never knew that certain softwares have the option to use swithces. I thought it was interesting to try the cow switch on the Sammy's Science House. I liked that you could adjust how fast the cursor moved. I also enjoyed using the touch screen. It is kind of like a mini interactive white board. As a motivator I thought it was a great idea to use a switch on a toy. This is great way to start engaging a child to start using a switch.

Jamie: I thought that the alternate input devices that we used in class today were really neat. First, I really enjoyed the switch that was in the back of the room where all you needed to do was slightly touch the long band to activate the left click button. Although, it was lacking in that the software did not match up to the screen because you still needed to use the mouse to navigate yourself around. I did not like the mouse that was set up at my computer designed by infogrip. It was rather sensitive and difficult to get the cursor to just the right location. I may be a little bias because I am doing my project on the BIGTrack, but I did enjoy using that. I felt like it was easy to navigate around with. A draw back was in the Arnold came you had to click and drag, and in order to do that on the BIGTrack you had to use both hands. That may be a problem for someone with limited fine motor skills. Another thing I found to be a little frustrating was the scanning was a times a bit slow, so the computer program would get boring. Of course though there are drawbacks to everything; but, looking at th e big picture I thought many were wonderfully designed devices that would be helpful for various individuals.

Melissa - I thought today’s class was great! Maybe it was because I was not feeling the pressure of 7 ½ hours of non-stop classes, since my other class does not meet on Friday, but I think that it was because of all the GREAT stuff we saw and tried out today. I felt like I was peaking into a world of what seemed like endless possibilities! It was truly amazing to see the video of all of the people who were able to do things that only just a few years ago would have been impossible. I think back to a time when people with disabilities, such as the ones in the video, would have been left on the sidelines never to participate in society. In a world of so much negativity, it was wonderful to witness such positivity and opportunity. Then to try everything out was great too. I was able to see what might go right and what might go wrong. It surprised me to see the many limitations that such expensive technology can have.

Rob - I completely forgot to post my response to this Friday, so here I am Monday morning doing it. I thought the input devices used today in class were great. I like that when it comes to manufacturing a product for children, that they take the interest of children in mind and make some more child friendly devices (ie: the faces). I also like that they are doing their research on child needs, as there were many forms of input to be used based on the motor skills of the individual. There were some fine motor (touch screen), poor fine motor (flexible bar) and some in between (gooseneck, big red, the faces). I wasn't fond of the difficulty in adjusting the settings on the software to enable the input or change the level of scanning. I kept thinking that some of the many inexperienced teachers in my building would never find the adjustment screen even though it is printed in the manual as well as the help button in the taskbar. Some teachers will give up if it is not firmly situated as an clear option on the interface. The one input I thought was a little difficult even for me to navigate was the yellow ball joystick. It was far too sensitive and the three buttons were so sunken in that you had to use two hands to use it appropriately with the software (clifford). I could see students with disabilities struggling with both features on that input. All in all, I thought the day was a huge success. I can only imagine what will be available in the next 10 or 20 years.

Jessica - (I posted after class on Friday, although when I checked today (6/24) my response was gone. I wish I could remember what I wrote!) I had fun trying out the various alternate input devices, and definitely preferred some over others. I liked the touch screen and though it was easy to use and can see how it could be motivating to receive feedback in such a way. Sometimes, I wish I could touch screens when using computers, to go directly to the source of what I want rather than using a mouse! I'm amazed at how sensitive some of the switches are. For example: the eyeblink switch we saw on the video. When cause and effect is the desired goal, and eyes are the only body part that can move, the individual is able to find success through the feedback received from moving that working part. I liked Joanne's comment today, virtually anything is possible if anything on the body moves! While the purpose of an alternate device might vary depending on the user and their needs, they all perform some same functions: turn things on and off, and assist with developing skills. I never really knew any of these devices existed before class today (except the touch screen) and feel enlightened to know about them all. For some reason I find I'm drawn to the low-tech devices over the high-tech ones. Maybe this is because for all students to be able to access the device, there will always be some cost, and the lower-tech devices will be associated with lower costs as well.

Brian- I did not get to try the switches and see the movie until Monday, though I did enjoy playing with them. Due to these simple, yet crucial adaptions, anyone with mobility of any type can operate a computer or use one to play a game. It may become frustrating due to the wait time of the cursor moving around the screen for students with limited mobility and functioning on a high cognitive level. Though the devices are continually improving and so is the software's adaptability. As more and more web pages, software, and hardware are updated and improved, these activities will improve for those with disabilities.

Kristin ~ I was absent during the initial class on Friday and was able to look at the different types of switches available this past week. For years I have worked with the more severe population in ages from 2 to adult. I have come across many different types of input devices however I lacked the knowledge about what those devices were all about. I really enjoyed looking at the switches that can be activated through the use of a different body part. I feel these switches give independence to people who might not normally have any.