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Attention Getter:
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Attention Getter
SOFTTOUCH Software
4300 Stine Road #401
Bakersfield, CA 93313
http://www.funsoftware.com
System Requirements: Windows: Windows 95 or greater; 24 bit monitor; 20xCD-ROM
or greater; 64 MB Ram. Macintosh: Power Mac or greater; 32 bit monitor (Millions
of colors); 20X CD-ROM or greater; 64 MB RAM or greater; Turn off Virtual Memory.
Price - $75 for single, $56 for 5-20 and $45 for 21+.
Reviewer: Debra Hultgren is the Director of Special Education for Regional School
District #19 in Connecticut, Matthew Leister is a student at the Edwin O. Smith
High School
Rating: A+
Attention Getter is just one of a series of wonderful programs designed by Jo
Meyer, who is a teacher and Linda Bidabe, who is the director of MOVE International.
Like their other software, Attention Getter is colorful, animated, and humorous
to a variety of audiences including the individuals it was developed for. I
field tested this program with several students including Matthew who is a high
school age student who has severe and multiple disabilities including cerebral
palsy. Matthew has difficulty communicating even basic needs and like other
students in his situation, has trouble with boredom. Attention Getter is one
way for him to entertain himself and others while he is at it.
Attention Getter can be operated with a mouse, single switch, Touch Window,
IntelliKeys, or two switches. A switch interface is required to use anything
other than a mouse. We used the interface from Don Johnston, which is compatible
with the program. Some knowledge of switch interfaces is necessary as well as
the ability to access the Control Panel of the computer to make sure the computer
settings match the requirements of the program. The documentation, in the form
of the liner for the CD-ROM jewel case, has sufficient information if the user
is reasonably familiar with switch activated programs. If the user does have
difficulty getting started, technical assistance is available through phone
or fax numbers listed in the documentation.
The program is an attention getter for sure. With a touch of the access device
colorful, interesting and common photos morph into other photos within categories
and at the same time are paired with interesting sounds and music as they do.
Each series of three morphed photos is very creative and Matthew was inspired
to work his switch to see what came next. Every observer, whether adult or student,
got a giggle out of each consecutive group of images and sounds, all age appropriate
for a teen. The sounds and music associated with each picture would be enough
to get the attention of a student with a visual impairment as well. Matthew
enjoyed having others laugh as he used his single switch to move through each
set.
Attention Getter operates with the CD in the drive and is started by clicking
on “My Computer” on the PC or on the CD icon on the MAC. The screens
are all user friendly (buttons) and easy to exit from. Access devices are selected
from a screen with a button for each device. The options menu allows for an
auditory and a visual prompt to activate the device for students who need this
extra input. For all devices users have the option of activating the program
when the device is pressed down or released, thus making it possible to work
with the best motor movement the user has. The IntelliKeys can only be used
as a switch and the whole keyboard is active for the purposes of this program.
Touch Screen windows that emulate a mouse click will also work in a similar
fashion.
Matthew had no trouble morphing through the program with his favorite switch
and any time his attention wandered the amusing sounds brought him back to the
computer monitor. In Matthew’s case, he did his most independent work with
the lights in the room dimmed and the sound turned up on the computer. However,
the program’s graphics are plenty vivid in any light.
SOFTTOUCH has a nice web site (http://www.funsoftware.com)
with descriptions of all the software and other goodies as well. Additional
documentation about all the programs and teaching ideas may be downloaded. It
looks like a growing web site with some exciting ideas coming from people who
work with real kids. I have also checked out a few other titles including Teach
Me Phonemics, Switch Basics and SoftTouch Favorites and am equally impressed
(see future reviews). While many of the programs were designed with early childhood
in mind, Attention Getter is age appropriate for all and just as much fun for
students who do not need alternative access. This is a good find, especially
for students like Matthew who need creative options to keep them interested
and motivated.
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