Abstract
Original teaching materials with dot codes were created for use with autistic children with intellectual and expressive language disabilities. One of the authors (S. I.) created “Post-it” sticker icons on which dot codes were printed and shared these with teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Each sticker icon was linked with up to four multimedia mediums of expression, such as a movie, in addition to up to four voices/sounds. Touching a dot code icon with a speaking-pen enables audios to be replayed, and touching a dot code icon with a dot-code reader with Bluetooth functionality enables multimedia to be replayed on iOS and Windows OS devices. New software to create self-made teaching materials with dot codes was developed by Gridmark Inc., with the help of author S. I. Basic information on creating original teaching materials using this newly developed software and its use in schools for students with ASD are presented in this chapter.
TopBackground
More than 14 years ago, author S. I. began helping students with various disabilities use a tool to trace two-dimensional Scan Talk dot codes (Olympus, 1999) printed on paper to reproduce sound. Some mentally and severely hand- and finger-challenged students at special needs schools were unable to trace the long, straight, Scan Talk codes correctly and were, therefore, unable to join in with class activities. Therefore, as teachers, the authors sought alternative systems so that students could easily touch the dot codes with a sound (speaking) pen to reproduce the voices/sounds clearly, which would allow a greater number of disabled students to learn to use the dot code content. Author S. I. began collaborating with a company, Gridmark Inc.; Gridmark Inc. had originally developed the Grid Onput dot codes (Gridmark, 2009) in which a maximum of four multimedia mediums, such as movies and audio recordings, could be linked to each dot code symbol icon. With the assistance of author S. I., Gridmark Inc., developed easy-to-handle, non-commercial software (Sound Linker and File Linker) and provided the software programs to schoolteachers free of charge, meaning they could create their own original content.
Author S. I. recently created two types of original sheets (called “magical sheets”) with a “Post-it”-like removable sticker icon overlaid with the dot codes, which have been given to schools with the accompanying easy-to-use software. Now schoolteachers are able to create their own original Grid Onput booklets for disabled students without needing to buy costly software or printers.
The teachers can remove the “Post-it” sticker icons from the magical sheets and affix them to any real items they wish to link with voice/sound and movies. By simply touching the symbol icons affixed to the real item with a speaking-pen, such as G-Speak, students are able to hear the voices/sounds very clearly. Further, by using a dot-code reader, such as the G1-scanner connected to a tablet or PC, students can activate multimedia such as movies; recently developed, G-Pen Blue pen with Bluetooth functionality can replay multimedia on iOS devices such as iPad and iPhone.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Speaking-Pen: The G-Speak and G-Talk speaking-pens reproduce original voices and sounds simply by touching the Post-it sticker icons or overlaid dot codes printed directly on a paper. These speaking-pens connected to Windows PCs can also replay multimedia, such as movies, using a standalone application created using the File Linker program. Up to four multimedia can be linked to each dot-code icon.
Sound Linker: A software that can create content for a speaking-pen. A maximum of four audios can be linked to each Post-it sticker icon or dot code overlaid with using the GM Authoring Tool program. Created content is copied into a MicroSD card in a speaking-pen. Touching the icon with a speaking-pen, such as G-Speak and G-Talk, replays the corresponding audio.
GCV (Gridmark Content Viewer): This software can create content available on iOS devices, such as the iPad and the iPhone. Using G-Pen Blue with Bluetooth functionality users can replay the multimedia, such as movies, photos, audios, and web pages on the screen of an iOS device.
Self-Made Teaching Materials: Original, self-made teaching material that is created to address the specific and unique needs of each student plays a key role in learning, as each student has different thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires. Independent teaching materials are prepared and used for individuals, especially in preschool and special needs classrooms.
File Linker: This software can create a standalone application on Windows OS. A maximum of four multimedia-like movies can be linked to each Post-it sticker icon or dot-code overlaid using a GM Authoring Tool. Touching the dot codes with a dot-code reader replays the corresponding multimedia on a screen of PC.
GM Authoring Tool: This software can overlap the dot codes on users’ designed document at any place, in any size, and in any number. A maximum of four audio and multimedia files can be linked to each unique set of dot codes.
Dot-Code Reader: Multimedia files, such as movies, can be linked to the dot codes overlaid with the GM Authoring Tool and Post-it sticker icons of the “Magical sheet.” The linked multimedia is replayed on the screen of iOS or Windows OS devices by touching the dot codes with a dot-code reader.
School Activity: School activities at special needs school can be improved through the use of original and individual self-made teaching materials and aids tailored to each student with disabilities.
Post-It Sticker Icon: Each “Magical Sheet” has 117 or 130 Post-it sticker icons overlaid with dot codes beforehand. The icons can then be taken off, pasted onto a target object, and then touched with a speaking-pen or dot-code reader.
Multimedia-Enabled Dot Code: Invisible dot codes developed by Gridmark Inc. are a novel two-dimensional code technology consisting of extremely small dots. Each Post-it sticker icon or dot-code overlaid with a GM Authoring Tool program can be linked to up to four audios. A maximum of four multimedia, such as movies, can be also linked to the same icon. A simple touch by a speaking-pen and dot-code reader on the dot codes enables a link between the paper and the digital content.