A Manual for Single Switch and Adaptive Software Programming
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 359 684 EC 302 244 AUTHOR Burns, Edward TITLE A Manual for Single Switch and Adaptive Software Programming. Computer Applications for Students with Physical, Sensory, Developmental, and Learning Disabilities. PUB DATE [90] NOTE 218p. AVAILABLE FROMEdward Burns, School of Education and Human Development, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000 (Apple program disk only, $5). PUB TYPE Guides Non-Classroom Use (055) Computer Programs (101) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC09 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Assistive Devices (for Disabled); *Computer Software; *Disabilities; *Electronic Equipment; *Input Output Devices; *Programing IDENTIFIERS Apple Microcomputers; *Switches ABSTRACT This manual is intended as a guide and source of ideas for using single switches in adaptive software programming for people with disabilities who cannot use a traditional keyboard. The manual and associated program disk are comprised of over 100 programs, routines and files illustrating various uses of single switch and adaptive input devices. Programs were developed for use on the Apple family of computers and written in Applesoft BASIC. Complete program listings of programs on the disk are included in the manual. After an introduction, individual chapters address the following topics: (1) single switch fundamentals;(2) single switch input;(3) low-resolution graphics;(4) sound and speech; (5) single switch scan techniques;(6) high-resolution graphics;(7) single switch math; and (8) single switch reading. (Contains 17 references.) (DB) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. * *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPAINTINNT OF EOUCAT1014 Ot Ice 01 Educational Research andimprovement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has teenreproduced as received from the cerSOn ororganization ongirmhrqd been made to improve 0 Minor changes have ref),CidoChon duality Points Of vieworopinions stateo in this docu- ment do Mat necssarilyrepresent official OERI position or policy A Manual for Single Switch and Adaptive Software Programming Computer Applications for Students with Physical, Sensory, developmental, and learning Disabilities by Edward Burns State University of New York atBinghamton PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERICI BEST COPY AVAILABLE 2 Adaptive Software Programming by Edward Burns State University of New York at Binghamton CONTENTS Introduction 4 1. Single Switch Fundamentals 9 2. Single Switch Input 32 3. Low-resolution Graphics 66 4. Sound and Speech 82 5. Single Switch Scan Techniques 116 6. High-resolution Graphics 133 7. Single Switch Math 170 8. Single Switch Reading 190 References 217 Introduction Purpose This manual should be used as a single switch idea book.The manual and program disk are comprised of over 100 programs,routines and files designed 3 The terms Apple' and ProDOS' are registered trademarks ofApple Computer, Inc. The terms Echo", Echo III)" and Textalkee are trademarks of StreetElectronics Corporation. 2 4 Introduction Purpose This manual should be used as a single switch idea book. The manual and program disk are comprised of over 100 programs, routines and filesdesigned to illustrate the many ways in which single switch and adaptive input devices can be used to meet the learning needs of students. The programs and techniques described in the manual can be used in the following ways: 1) to understand the wide range of single switch and adaptive software applications available; 2) to design single switch software and to individualize programs to best accommodate specific learning needs;3) to teach and illustrate single switch programming; and 4) to provide a source of readily available and documented single switch BASIC programs and programming techniques. Because the Apple computer has been used extensively in the development of single switch software, various aspects of the Apple are considered in order to better design and use single switch software. In this respect, the manual and disk can be used as a toolkit to construct and modify single switch programs.The program disk contains two complete font sets as well as several authoring programs for constructing single switch assessment and learning and activities. The manual and programs can be used by teachers, professionals and all those interested in understanding, modifying and individualizing single switch and adaptive input software. For persons unable to use a traditional keyboard, single switch software provides a means for meeting a variety of specific learning needs.By engaging a single switch device, software can be activated which develops readiness, promotes independent living skills, and teaches academic content such as reading, math and social studies. Applications The applications described in this manual include many singleswitch techniques,ranging from simple switch responses to matrix scanning,and various hardware applications (e.g., using the keyboard to provideswitch input, the Touchwindow). Many different methods forrecording switch responses. The following is a partial list of some of the single switch concepts considered in the manual: Single Switch Input Techniques Single Switch BASIC Programming Array and Matrix Scanning Controlled and Automatic Scanning Creating Single Switch Language Boards Developing Readiness Skills Using and Creating Character Fonts Using Low- and High-resolution Graphics Single Switch Utilities Au" ring Systems Sound and Music Synthesized Speech Using Large Type Displays Creating Shape Tables Morse Code Single Switch Database Concepts Single Switch Math and Reading Using and Modifying Public Domain Software 4 5 IBM PC Single Switch Conversion Manual An important goal of this manual is to provide information for better understanding single switch software, and to be able to individualize software to meet specific learning needs. Because many singleswitch software applications have been written in BASIC, knowing even a little BASIC will help to best meet individual learning needs.Although the manual does present many BASIC concepts for better understanding and using single switch software, an attempt has been made to present all BASIC information in a way that is directly related to single switch and adaptive software programming. This manual provides an extremely diverse sampling of single switch BASIC applications. In addition, many program modifications and techniques for individualizing programs are presented. However, the purpose of this manual is not to provide a step-by-step approach for learning BASIC programming, but rather to understand how BASIC is used to create a wide range of single switch applications. This manual will to develop single switch software, and to consider the many ways in which BASIC can be used to meet the varied learning needs of the single switch user. All of the programs are written in Applesoft BASIC and can be usedwith the Apple family of computers (II+, Ile, IIc or The topics and single switch applicationscovered in thismanualareintendedtoencourage participation. Enter and run the programs; experiment; make modifications; make changes that are deemed appropriate or useful. Complete program listings are presented in the manual. These listings can be used as a basis for developing singleswitch programs, and to better understand single switch BASIC software design and applications. Although single switch software is ideal for individual's in needof an adaptive input system, many of the applications can be usedwith students having diverse learning needs such asthe developmentally disabled and student's with learning and/or emotional disorders. Because single switch software is often usedin conjunction with scan routines and a speech synthesizer, many applications are suitable for the visuallyimpaired and students having language disabilities. An attempt has been made to include a variety ofdifferent, albeit easy- to-use, single switch activities, but there is no doubtthat many important programming ideas are not presented. As a result, and as was said before, consider this an idea book. Improve the programming routines,and use whatever information is available to meet each individual'ssingle switch needs. Program Disk Sample If the program disk is available, the following programwill provide a general idea of the types of programs described in themanual and contained on the disk. As was already said, the programs cover a wide rangeof single switch topics and include many single switch utilities,routines for modifying and enhancing single switch programs and software ideasinvolving readiness, nonverbal, assessment, math and reading tasks. To sample the program disk, insert the disk in drive#1, turn the Apple to ON, and enter RUN FACE after tho screen prompt ] and press RETURN. When the FACE program is run, each switch response causes an elementof the face to appear on screen. ]RUN FACE 5 Now run the SWITCH FONT program. A word or phrase is first displayed using a large font character set. When the switch is engaged, feedback is given by re-displaying the word in various high-resolution colors. After the screen is cleared, the switch must be disengaged for several secondsbefore the next item is presented. The manual provides several ideas for modifying the program to meet individual student learning needs. RUN