Clicker (Version 4) - Multimedia Software for Writing and Communicating

Reviewers: Debra Hultgren, Melissa, and Dawn
Debra Hultgren is the Director of Special Education for Regional School District #19 in Connecticut. Melissa and Dawn are students from the high school who assisted in the evaluation.
DHULTGREN@EOSmith.org

Clicker 4
Crick Software Inc.
50 116th Ave.SE
Suite 211
Bellevue, WA 98004
425-467-8260
Toll-free 866-332-7425
http://www.cricksoft.com
info@cricksoft.com

System Requirements: On PC: Pentium II 200 or greater, 32MB RAM, 50MB Hard disk space, Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. On MAC: Power Mac or above, 32MB free RAM, 75MB Hard disk space, Mac OS 7.5.3-Mac OS X.

Costs: Single User License: $199, 5 User License (extendible): $399, 30 User License: $899, Additional User License: $25.

Reviewed: July, 2002
Rating: A+++

Clicker 4 is an outstanding piece of multi-media software that comes to us from developers in the United Kingdom where it has been the winner of five BETT Awards (the Oscar of the British Educational Software Industry). The program, described as a talking word processor, is so much more. When the program is started up the user is first presented with a word processor (Clicker Writer) on the top of the screen and a space on the bottom half for customized selection grids (Clicker Grids). The grids are easily set up with words, pictures, sounds, animation or simply letters. Using the mouse, the student simply clicks on a box to select what he/she wants to appear in the word processor above. Students can type words they know at any point. Grid boxes can include phrases as well as single word items. Each box can include any mixture of symbols, words or letters which when selected send the contents to "Clicker Writer". User preferences allow for a variety of options including changes in voice from computer to recorded human voice. The sentences are automatically read when punctuation is added. Words can also be read with a point and click. Entire documents can be developed as talking books. Typical word processing icons appear in obvious places on the screen allowing the student to change text, save, print, etc. Grid boxes can be set up to function like buttons.

The "Clicker Grids" can be custom designed for any age or project and are very easy to design. The program comes with templates to cover a variety of needs. Additionally, Crick Software maintains a web site with a vast collection of free ready-made "Clicker Grids." http://www.clickergrids.com Grids can be linked in limitless ways depending on the needs of the user. For Dawn, a student with developmental disabilities, we had the alphabet be the opening grid and then had word lists for every letter of the alphabet linked to the opening grid. After Dawn clicked a letter of the alphabet the grid containing words that began with that letter appeared. Large icons allowed Dawn to go quickly back to the initial grid to select another word grid. Dawn, who does not read beyond a first grade level, but who does recognize a word when she hears it, was able to select the correct word because when she clicked it the talking word processor read it. For Melissa, a student with Autism, who does not recognize words as easily, we designed a grid that contained symbols which when clicked cause the word and symbol to appear on the word processor. The auditory feedback told her she had selected the right symbol for her message.

Clicker 4 comes with files of pictures readily available and simple to insert. A very cool feature allows the user to have a picture appear automatically when a word is typed or selected from the grid (if the picture is in the library file). Any other graphics file can be used with the program and easily registered as a "graphics library". This includes graphics like the Mayer Johnson® PCS symbols. Graphics can be modified for size. Other accessories can be purchased to enhance what Clicker 4 already can do including another program called QuickFire, which includes ready-made communication grids that can be used with the 3000-plus Mayer-Johnson® PCS Symbols. Additionally, cells can be set up to play a video (.AVI format).

Clicker 4 is also accessible to users who cannot manage the mouse. Grids can be accessed with one or two switches either through scanning or direct selection. The program can also be used with the Edmark Touch Window and a 17-inch monitor. Crick sells a USB Switch Interface as well as the Don Johnston Switch Interface Pro® While any switches can be used, Crick also features the TASH Buddy Button® in the catalogue along with the interfaces. For scanning purposes, the program allows the insertion of a keyboard on the screen for users who do not need pictures but do need to write by scanning an "on screen" keyboard.

The documentation that comes with Clicker 4 is excellent. The instructions are very clear and getting started is easy and immediately reinforcing. There is a tutorial built into the software for those of us who need a guiding hand. Technical assistance from the US office is available free once the software is registered. The catalogue includes the best features of the program as well as any other software or accessibility options available for use with Clicker 4. The web site contains examples of grids and lots of other information. Registered users can receive a regular e-mail newsletter called Clicker Grids for Learning. We recommend that you visit the impressive web site of Crick Software in order to get a real feel for what Clicker 4 can do. http://www.cricksoft.com

We believe this is one of the most versatile programs we have come across. Our teachers have just begun to explore the ways this program can enhance instruction and learning for our wide range of student needs. Without question, Clicker 4 can be used from preschool through adulthood, for writing, reading, communicating and for multi-media presentation. It is a tool that can be used by students with physical and sensory disabilities as well. Given its capabilities it is a best buy and will be an important tool in schools in this country as well as the UK.