ConnSENSEReviewClicker5

ConnSENSE Review: Clicker 5

Product Reviewed: Clicker 5
Manufacturer: Crick Software Inc.
14687 N.E. 95th St.
Redmond, WA 98052
(866) 332-7525
http://www.cricksoft.com
info@cricksoft.com
Price: $199.00 single user license; 5 user license $399.00
Reviewed by: Margaret Kardos OTR/L, ATP
muncie@connsensebulletin.com

Crick Software has done it again with an upgrade to their multimedia talking word processing program, Clicker. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Clicker, please see the first review posted by ConnSENSE back in July 2002 to get an overview of the programs capabilities at http://www.connsensebulletin.com/clicker42.html .

Clicker 5 has many new features that make it even more versatile and easier to use. For starters, the writing grids that enable a student to compose text by clicking on words/and or pictures displayed in cells appearing in the bottom half of the screen are easier than ever to modify thanks to the addition of an editing tool bar. This feature is particularly useful for updating daily writing activities such as journals and for sharing information about daily activities between school and home.

Clicker 5 comes with a variety of pre-made writing templates that can be used to create an activity in no time. Available templates include “phrases” where an entire phrase is placed in a cell as opposed to individual words. This type of grid set-up is great for providing carrier phrases that students complete with individual words chosen from additional cells or linked to a second grid. As with the previous edition of Clicker, students can always add text by typing it in using the keyboard.

Another template called “classification” enables students to engage in categorization activities that can be used to support the development of a variety of skills. Students can sort by picture or words demonstrating an understanding of concepts taught across the curriculum. For example, students may be asked to choose items from a group of pictures that use electricity, have similar word endings or have other distinguishing characteristics.

There is also a template to create “labeling” activities where a pop-up grid can be set up to include words or phrases that describe a picture. This feature is helpful for students developing literacy skills and can be used for assessment as well.

Clicker 5 can also be used to create talking books quickly and easily and a number of templates are available for setting up the books in a variety of formats. Pop-up grids can be included in the books to make them both imaginative and interactive. With all grids, there is an option to include picture banks that fulfill the same function as word banks but have cells designed to show a picture with each word. This helps early learners to recognize the word and build word recognition skills.

Clicker 5 has an expanded picture library with beautiful illustrations and has included features to make importing pictures from other files in a user friendly format. The program has a new speech engine making the voice much more natural; both male and female voices are included in the program. Clicker 5 has a variety of accessibility features that enable it to be set-up for switch users and scanning. The read back feature of the talking word processing program now highlights words as it reads them aloud enabling students to follow as the text is read aloud. Since Clicker is a word processing program and accepts keyboard input, alternative keyboards of all types can be used with the program.

Clicker 5 is backed by a great support network that includes access to www.LearningGrids.com a website that features a number of grid sets that can be accessed directly from the program. This eliminates the need to close out of Clicker 5, download and save the grids prior to using them. The site is updated and new grids are added every two weeks. This is a convenient and time saving resource. Clicker 5 is currently available for Windows a Mac version will be released in January.

Crick has hit yet another home run with Clicker 5. It is a versatile program that can be used to meet the needs of all students by providing access to reading and writing activities across the curriculum. Its innovative features make it appropriate for almost any type of learning activity embracing principles of universal design for learning. Clicker 5 is far more than a talking word processing program; it is an easy to use multimedia program and when used to its potential can replace the need for having a number of separate programs making it not only convenient but cost effective as well. An excellent choice for both home and school.

Grade: A+