Author: AccessAbility Smyles

This guide will help you to understand the mechanism of how to use 2 switches on an iPad. I find the way this does it a little bit irritating with secondary menu options which gets in the way sometimes . I wish it could be switched off and maybe it can be

Using ISwitch with an iPad on Two Switch Mode

1 . Red switch 1 is select

2. Yellow switch 2 is in scanning

3. ISwitch (Yellow) is set to scan as well

4. If you try and use the keyboard whilst using switches turn over the iSwitch and press Mode ( picture of a keyboard above it)

5. You should have the Switch Control set to Manual Scanning for Two switch mode :-

When in Switch control you will find that a blue outline appears around the row of apps or you are in an app the blue outline automatically picks up the different actions needed in the app. Scanning is all about cycling through options. Two switch manual gives you complete control. Easier to operate with i find. The reason being auto-scanning doesn’t work as pupil’s responses are not consistent. So the teacher scans with one switch and the pupil selects with the other.

For the past few days in preparation for an assessment and training session I am about to do i have been getting to grips with setting up switches iPad. I am using the iSwitch from Inclusive Technology.. Once you understand you need the iSwitch and two other switches you go a long way to understanding how this works. Here are the instructions for setting it up on an iPad :-

Setting up !Switch

1. Turn over the iSwitch

2. Press CHAN once

3. Now go to Settings>Bluetooth and look for

4. Connect till it shows connected

5. Default is set for switch 1 press scanning, switch 2 press select

6. Now go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control

7. Then press Switch 1 and ensure it is showing connected

8. And set an action

9. Repeat 7 & 8 on Switch 2

10. It should look like this:-

There is a sudden and extensive explosion in apps designed to help you organize and plan your workload. Trello, Insightly, Brill, Asano, Teamworks, Microsoft Teams. They all have their pro’s and con’s and will be suitable for sen pupils requiring planning and organisation. The apps have clear visual methodology that would help the visual learner.  I like Brill’s simple interface., but beware of in-app purchases, Trello is great for a task orientated project which has a lot of steps or running a project which has to communicate with fellow workers often.

Insightly I have used often and it helps with project deadlines or developing contacts and marketing your services. Whereas Asano, Teamworks and Microsoft Teams are for managers working with teams.  Teamworks and Microsoft Teams are pay for services. Useful for schools, companies and organizations which need to keep a track of projects the teams are working on but at a cost!

In terms of how it could help a pupil who needs organisational skills. Then I would keep it simple and use Brill.  Another option would be Google Keep or Evernote  Google Keep is free and Evernote has plans that can be purchased but you can Basic which is free. It’s a simple idea and can be easily scanned by swiping. Details are added under a specified heading. Deleting is a little bit more difficult but just swipe left and it reveals a bin to get rid of the app. If the pupil is using a mobile this approach is the simplest to operate.

I use these tools as a way of communicating with others as well as planning and prioritizing my workload. Also, for keeping track of information and projects that have been dormant or silent. It’s useful for these and other uses still yet to be discovered.

Seems like you are drowning in choice here for social media tools within the google family. So which one and why? I have done a little research to find out this :-

https://www.quora.com › What-does-Go…

Also, this shows what Google are planning in the future for these apps

https://mashable.com/article/google-hangouts-g-suite-shutdown-october/?europe=true