Single Switch Software from Simtech Publications
by Gerry Kennedy
For PC Compatible and Apple Macintosh Computers
Single Switch Software from Simtech Publications
These programs have been designed to be ‘simple, fun and inexpensive’ and have been cleverly produced by Simtech Publications. Simtech has delivered a series of entertaining, colourful and captivating programs that can be purchased individually on floppy disk, or together as a set, on a CD-ROM. They cater to a range of ages, with Switch Arcade and especially Switch Wars ideally suited to teenage users as well as adults. One Switch Picasso and Scanning Picasso Volumes 1 and 2, are for younger children, with ‘New Frog and Fly‘ catering to a range of ages.
Scan and Match Volumes 1-6 are ideal switch training activities for all ages, with particular emphasis on scanning left to right. Switch Puzzles are very simple in design, offering a choice of three beautiful digitized pictures with 5, 10 or 15 pieces. All of the scanning programs have customised settings (for setting the required scan speed) and users can elect to “log on” with their name or a pseudonym.
Navigation is extremely easy to master, accommodating users of different skill levels. These programs appeal to parents and teachers/teacher aides alike as they have appropriate, lively music and fun sound effects. The graphics are clear and well drawn. Careful use of colour and uncluttered screens operate in full-screen mode, ensuring that users will enjoy their learning and/or mastery of switch use. Children cannot “quit” or leave the programs accidentally, as the Control key (Ctrl) must be held to navigate back to a choice menu, or start menu. The Escape key (esc) totally quits the program.
The programmers have a great sense of humour, which is evident in the “Frog and Fly” program setup. The frog can burp occasionally or not as per the instructions, “Don’t burp at all. It is rude to burp”! Titles include the following:
The New Frog and Fly for Mac/Windows
It features a very colourful and clear screen with a cheeky frog who loves to catch flies! It contains four activities, which help to teach cause-and-effect, step scanning, linear scanning, and reaction speed. It has a sense of fun and users will delight in the animated effects. A favourite, and one that will delight users of all ages. Can you catch the flies?
One Switch Picasso for Mac or Windows: Volumes 1 and 2
These are two individual titles. Both provide opportunities for young children to “draw” simple pictures. Volume 1 has four pictures, including an Angel, Baby Dinosaur, a Teddy and Santa. Volume Two has a Ballerina, Unicorn, Flower Girl and Pig. Colours are bright and appealing. These are very elementary programs that offer instant switch success every time. It affords young children who are physically disabled the opportunity to colour in pictures, using a single switch. They have sound effects and are easy to use. Simply attach your switch (via a Mac or PC Switch Interface, or with an adapted mouse) and press! When the picture is completed, the user returns to the selection menu.
Scanning Picasso for Mac or Windows Volume 1 and 2.
This is a sister program to One Switch Picasso. It introduces the concept and skill in learning to use linear scanning. It has the same activities in as in Volumes 1 and 2 One Switch Picasso games. It features a widely variable scanning speed with captivating artwork, music and animation. The scanning array is well designed, with scan speeds ranging from 0.1 to 20 or more seconds! Both volumes are ideal for introducing pre-requisite linear scanning skills in preparation for Discover:Switch and other switch access packages.
Switch Arcade for Mac/Windows – The three games in this title will entertain and delight users, catering to users in early childhood through to teenagers. A visit to the fair is great fun, especially having a turn at hitting targets. The fun and experience of successfully winning a prize is a thrill for all children. This program provides three games, each with two parts. The first provides cause-and-effect (with instant success); the second provides opportunities for the training and/or mastery in using linear scanning. It is an ideal training activity program. Ball toss involves hitting up to five objects (accompanied with suitable ‘crashing’ noises)! Target shooting is the age old “shoot ‘em up” game and darts is a game where you burst 5 coloured balloons. Each activity can be ‘played’ using linear scanning, with the scanning speed variable (even using decimals)! Great sound effects, realistic animations combine to make for motivating and stimulating experiences that can be enjoyed many times over.
Switch Kids for Mac/Windows – This caters directly to young children, or to the young at heart! Clear, well-designed screens that employ excellent figure ground (minimal visual information), ensures that younger children target the characters displayed onscreen. This has many different sounds and sound effects too! Three activities involve children choosing from six fun characters. The first activity involves pressing a single switch, with cartoon characters appearing randomly onscreen, accompanied with zany noises. The second is pure enjoyment and involves anticipating when a character blows bubble-gum, with the inevitable at the end, with sticky gum all over the characters face! The third is ‘build-a-kid’. It is ideal for children to label and identify body parts and clothing. All activities promote and encourage the use of a single switch.
Scan and Match Series for Mac/Windows – Volumes 1,2,3,4,5,6- There are six disks in this series, each containing three categories. Categories include Vol. 1 Cats, Clowns, Puppies and Kittens; Vol. 2 – Insects, Dinosaurs and Cars and Trucks; Vol. 3 Babies, Critters and Toys. In Vol. 4 – Breakfast/Lunch, Dinner and Snacks Vol. 5 displays Women’s Wear, Men’s Wear and Grooming. The last Vol.6 has people, Places and Signs. They feature variable scanning speeds, with three choices matching a target (displayed above the choices, which are scanned left to right). Images and graphics are very clearly drawn. An excellent series, and ideal for users who are beginning to recognise and respond to pictures and symbols (e.g. COMPIC or PCS). The program keeps track of user’s efforts and displays percentage correct at the completion of each matching exercise.
Switch Puzzles for Mac/Windows – Simple yet effective programs for children who have a physically disability but who wish to complete a ‘puzzle’ with their friends or siblings. Now they can, using a single switch. Each title has three high quality photographic images, that can be ‘re-assembled’ in 5, 10 or 15 pieces. Images are bright, colourful and interesting. They all have original music.
- Vol. 1 – Clown Face – Hot Air Balloons – Coral Reef;
- Vol. 2 – Harvest Time – Father and Son – Painted Faces;
- Vol. 3 – Soccer Goalie – Cowboy – Sailboats;
- Vol. 4 – Little Swimmer – Scuba Diver – Waterfall;
- Vol. 5 – Excavating – Dolphins – The Wall;
- Vol. 6 – Bus Stop – Library Pals – Calendar Girl.
Switch Wars for Mac/Windows – A great age appropriate program for all Star Trekkies or lovers of space-wars type games, but who require simple and easy to master switch access. Switch Wars is very motivating and exciting for users of all ages, with particular application to older students. It has four parts, starting at cause-and-effect. Users can progress to linear scanning, then try cross scanning with reaction time as the fourth option.
NOTE: All single titles available on 3.5” floppy disk. Single Switch Software Bundle by Simtech Publications – All 20 Simtech Single Switch Programs can be also purchased on one CD-ROM. It is a multi format CD (which can be run from an Apple Macintosh or MS Windows computer). For more information, visit the Simtech web site at: http://hsj.com or navigate there via our constantly updated web site, at http://www.spectronicsinoz.com.