Early Learning Toolkit 2.0

2SimpleUSA Inc.
500 Wanetah Dr.
Midland, MI 48640
http://www.2simpleusa.com
System Requirements:
Windows 95/98/98SE/NT 4.0 (SP3)/ME/2000/XP
MAC OS 7.1 - OS X
Cost: $49.95 for a single CD-ROM and Booklet
2Simple Early Learning Toolkit is available on a 30 day evaluation basis.
Reviewer: Kathy Griffin
kgriffin@ucpidaho.org
Rating: B+

2Simple Early Learning Toolkit consists of six programs: 2paint, 2publish, 2count, 2go, 2graph, and 2question that were field tested for two months with individuals who ranged in age from 8 - 54 years at the UCP of Idaho Computer Lab.  All of these individuals have a disability of some kind ranging from physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy to cognitive disabilities and Autism. All of these individuals had prior computer experience.

All of these programs have a simple interface with few buttons. There is a large "X" in the upper right corner to close out of the program. There are buttons for "new" and "print" on each menu bar. The buttons on the bar are very easy to see and to activate, especially for an individual who has very limited hand use.

2paint (right) is a very simple drawing program with two sizes of eight different color markers to use. It also has an eraser that has a larger surface and makes correcting mistakes a lot easier than in many drawing programs.

2count is a simple graphing program that counts up to six on the vertical axis and you can have six items on the horizontal axis. One of our consumers used it to graph her many, many Beanie Babies. Each color represented on type of Beanie Baby such as red for bears, yellow for birds, etc. She printed it out and posted it in her room and every time someone asks her what sheıd like as a gift, she checks her chart to see which ones she has the most of and then asks for one of the other types. She has a lot of fun building her collection this way.

2go allows one to draw simple maps by using colored markers and onscreen directional arrow keys. Itıs a great way to learn how to count and go left, right, up, and down. The arrow keys are large and are arranged in a compass point style. The number buttons are approximately ½ inch square.

2publish (left) features drawings and text on the same page, and enable the student to create books and more.

2question is very confusing.  It is not readily apparent what you are supposed to do. It opens with a pyramid of boxes with lines connecting them together from the topmost box on down with each level having more boxes. You can click on a box and draw a picture in it and put in text. It could be used as a very beginning "Inspiration" type program. None of our consumers were interested in this program.

These programs (except for 2question) are simple and intuitive to use. Several adults with cognitive impairments were able to use them independently.