Review Clicker Paint

ConnSENSE Review: Clicker Paint

Product Reviewed: Clicker Paint
Manufacturer: Crick Software Inc. Clicker Paint screen photo
14687 N.E. 95th Street
Redmond, WA 98052
Toll-free: 1-866-33-CRICK
Telephone: 425-467-8260
Fax: 425-467-8245
http://www.cricksoft.com
info@cricksoft.com
Introductory Price (until July 31, 2007): $49.00 single user license; 5 user license $129.00; 30 user license $499.00 Call for details.
Reviewed by: Margaret Kardos OTR/L, ATP
muncie@connsensebulletin.com

Just when you think that Crick Software has nothing left up their sleeves along they come and “POOF” another touch of magic is in the air. With a stroke of the magic wand, or a click of the red button with the easel, “Clicker Paint” appears ready to add yet another dimension to Clicker 5 or to be used as a stand-alone paint and artistry program.

When used with Clicker 5, Clicker Paint can be used to illustrate those fun-to-make talking books. It can also be used to add embellishments to photos that are imported, and to create scenic backgrounds that can be stamped on or painted on as well.

Here’s a look at some of the really great tools available in the program:

Brush: allows you to draw and paint in a rainbow of colors choosing from 4 different brush sizes. Once you decide size and color there are 9 different brush styles to choose from to enable you to be an instant artist and create effects like cross-hatching, spray painting, and spirals. These colors and patterns are available for use with the other tools as well.

Fill: once you have outlined your masterpiece you can fill it in with the fill tool, again drawing from an almost infinite array of colors in four different palettes: solid color fill, color blended fill, patterned fill and a color mixer that lets you “create” your own colors. Kind of like when I was a kid and would mix all of the tinted waters together after water painting.

Line: there is a line tool that lets you do a whole lot more than just draw lines. Using the styles that are available in concert with the color palettes you can make arrows, clock-hands, and connected dots just to name a few configurations.

Shapes: the shapes tool lets you add shapes to a creation or form a creation out of shapes.

Text: the text tools lets you add words, labels, letters, and numbers to whatever you are making.

Stamp: the stamp tool lets you stamp pictures on the canvas; you can choose from a selection or add your own to customize your projects.

Eraser: this tool lets you do just that, erase with the drag of a mouse.

Rotate and flip: these tools let you make mirror images of all or part of your creation.

Toolbars: you can add or remove toolbars to your activities, reducing the number of choices or objects on the screen to cause users to become tempted or distracted. This comes in handy for interactive activities that students will be using for learning.

Sound, video and text prompts: you can add spoken instructions, a video and text to help students to interact independently.

In addition to creating books, you can use Clicker Paint to enhance any Clicker 5 grid set that you are working with. Imagine being able to take photos on the class trip, personalize them, stamp them, give them a special background, and then put them into a grid for writing. Nothing motivates children like working with favorite activities or events and having the opportunity to customize them, adding that creative touch while learning core concepts at the same time.

Like its predecessor, Clicker 5, Clicker Paint can be used with both automatic (one switch) and step (two switch) scanning. The ability to customize the access for timing as well as grouping makes it user friendly for both the student and those who support students who use alternative access. Another plus is that unnecessary tools can be eliminated from the screen to minimize distractions and scanning time while maximizing success. This feature of the program alone can open up many art activities previously inaccessible to individuals with physical limitations.

Yes, indeed, Crick has pulled yet another rabbit out of the hat, and what I have been able to share through this review is just the tip of iceberg of what you can do with Clicker Paint. So get a copy of Clicker Paint and let the fun begin; in addition to the easy to follow instructions and the samples that are included, there is always access to LearningGrids.com where activities are put up for sharing. I can't wait to see what Crick thinks up next, truly someone there has a brush with imagination. Crick Paint, a true masterpiece.