Overview - BM - SPEAK UP DYNAMICALLY
Help elementary students communicate at school.
These easy-to-use programs offer a way to extend students' learning experiences.
The graphics-based collection features Picture Communication Symbols (PCS).
Most can be viewed and printed in several languages. Use these resources to
create symbol-based computer activities, printable worksheets, schedules, and
more. This Boardmaker collection features the most commonly used software among
special educators and speech-language pathologists.
Designed to help elementary students communicate at school, this set of more
than 300 boards is an excellent starting point for developing functional voice-output
communication. Most of the buttons in the set represent a single word or short
phrase to give users flexibility in creating novel sentences. The dictionary
includes a "like this one" feature that lets a user describe a word
that isn't on the boards. Longer sections of text, such as story segments or
conversation starters, can be added to quick-text buttons. Special quick-text
buttons for questions (for example, "What about you?") help users
keep the conversational ball rolling.
Speak-UP Dynamically covers a wide range of topics appropriate for use at home
and in the community. However, boards specifically designed to help students
communicate at school, such as class schedule, school staff, library, and lunch
time boards, make it an exceptional tool for students. Boards for academic classes
include quick-text buttons for vocabulary and concepts related to a student's
lessons, helping them actively participate in classroom activities and discussions.
Speak-UP Dynamically is appropriate for users with receptive language skills
ranging from the 4-year-old to 12-year-old level. Use of PCS throughout the
boards makes it an ideal tool for emerging readers, while more advanced students
will appreciate the on-screen keyboard with abbreviation expansion. As a user's
abilities increase, he or she can take advantage of the more complex features
of the board set. The manual and boards make it easy to customize the set with
an individual's personalized information; only minimal familiarity with Speaking
Dynamically Pro is required. The "button warehouse" lets you simplify
boards for beginning users without permanently deleting buttons. As users become
more proficient with the boards, it's a snap to bring these buttons back.
Speak-UP Dynamically uses color coding and consistent placement across boards
to make buttons easier to find. High frequency words are separated into pop-ups
for pronouns, little words and actions that are accessible from most of the
boards in the set. The manual comes with recommendations and instructions for
changing Speaking Dynamically Pro preferences, and even includes extensive suggestions
and ideas to help implementation go smoothly. Requires Boardmaker, Boardmaker
Plus, or Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro v.5 or higher.
System Requirements: Windows 2000 or later; Mac OS 10.2.8 or later