TOUCH SCREENS, TRACKBALLS, JOYSTICKS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF COORDINATION SKILLS HANDS-ON

Presenter(s)
Paul Nuttall
SEMERC
Address: Quay Street
Manchester M60 9EA United Kingdom
Day Phone: +44 (0)161-827-2913
Fax: +44 (0)161-827-2966
Email: paul.nuttall@granadamedia.com

We will demonstrate switches, special keyboards, joysticks, and trackballs, and then experiment together with motivational software activities. Share stories and methods. Software giveaways.

Due to the natural instinct to use our hands, touch screen may become the ideal input method for many students. In this session we’ll explore usage of touch screens, trackballs, and joysticks, then try out software specifically developed to improve a wide range of coordination and decision making skills. Students make decisions and regularly indicate their choices by pointing at the screen, moving the trackball, or joystick. The development of coordination skills is vitally important if students are to succeed. Using the tips of our fingers, we’ll literally compose a symphony, work on visual discrimination, and reinforce matching skills. Finally, we’ll explore how students with moderate to severe disabilities can develop hand-eye coordination, by touching objects as they move across the screen. After group play, we’ll investigate the teacher controls which allow educators to adapt the programs to the special needs of each student. Software giveaways, plus a subscription to www.elementaryzone.com.

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