Clicker5
A Teacher’s Guide
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Table of Contents:
What is Clicker5? …………………………………………………………………………… 1
How can Clicker5 support student learning? ..................................... 1-8
Getting Started ………………………………………………………………………………. 9-12
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This document is a basic guide for teachers who are beginning to use
Clicker5 in their classroom.
What is Clicker5?
Clicker 5 is a talking word processor which uses graphics, text and speech
with reading and writing activities. Using graphics, text and speech together
augments the learning task for many students providing a richer, more
memorable experience while supporting their individual reading comprehension
and writing styles.
You can view an introductory webinar about Clicker5 at:
http://tinyurl.com/WhatIsClicker5
Word Processing
Clicker5 is a great beginning word processor for students. All of the basic
formatting functions are available while supported with pop-up word bank,
pop-up keyboard as well as audio and visual supports.
Below is a view of a new document in Clicker5. The window is divided into two
sections. The upper section is the Writer window and the lower section is the
Grid window. By clicking in the Writer window, a cursor will appear and the use
can begin to key in their information. After entering end punctuation for the
sentence, Clicker5 will highlight each word as it reads the text entered.
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The Grid window provides additional supports for students when writing. In the
Grid window there is a Pop-Up keyboard. The Pop-Up keyboard appears when
the user clicks on
mouse.
. This allows students to select a letter with a click of the
There is also a Pop-Up Word Bank. The Pop-Up word bank appears when the
user clicks on
. The word bank is organized alphabetically and provides
students with a reference when selecting vocabulary.
In addition to availability, the text in the Pop-Up keyboard and in the Pop-Up
word bank have speech support by right clicking on a key of the keyboard or a
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word in the word bank, Clicker5 will use audio supports to read the text
selected.
Clicker5 can be a supportive tool for students developing language skills.
Grids provide support with spelling, positional vocabulary, procedural writing,
sequencing of information, as well as expressive and receptive language skills.
Spelling
In this grid, using a pop-up alphabet and visual support, students bell the word
to the left of the cell.
Using this learning grid, students progress to spelling vocabulary without the
visual support. The word is spoken when the student clicking on the speech
button. Then the student uses the pop-up alphabet to enter the word in the
cell.
This grid is available through LearningGrids.com
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Positional language
The following learning grid is a sample from LearningGrids.com which illustrates
how Clicker5 can support students learning of positional language.
By clicking on
the directions are read. Students then click in the cell
referred to in the direction and a pop-up grid appears with the possible
answers. This learning grid as well as all others can be edited to represent
information relevant to a specific student.
Sequencing
Another example from LearningGrids.com
Students click on the first step in the sequence after hearing what the step is by
clicking on
manner.
. Then complete the sequence left to right in the same
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Language structure
This learning grid provides students with an activity which supports building
simple sentences.
Students must select text from one of the cells in the 1st column before they can
select text from the 2nd column and must select from the 2nd column before
selecting from the 3rd. Of course, they also must select the period before
beginning a new sentence.
By selecting the next arrow, students will have access to additional vocabulary
to continue building sentences. Of course, sentence can be read back for
students.
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Reading
Clicker5 can be used to support student reading. In Clicker5, interactive books
can be created using text, pictures, speech as well as video.
Reading is support with audio and visual tracking.
Writing
Interactive books can be created using Clicker5. Students will love using
Clicker5 to express their ideas using text, pictures, speech and video.
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Getting Started with Clicker5
Clicker5 can be accessed from your school network by double clicking the
Clicker5 icon
from the desktop or from the Novell launcher. Once opened,
a window displaying the following information opens.
Examples -provides learning grids
ready to use with your students.
LearningGrids –provides
information about
LearningGrids.com
My Documents -leads you to your
computers directories and saved
files.
QuickTour -users can get an
overview of the functionality of
Clicker5. (Highly recommended
viewing)
View the QuickTour. There is a wealth of information through this option and
can be referred to at a click of a mouse.
Using examples in Clicker5
There are many Clicker5 learning grids available and ready to use in the
classroom. The 1st repository of learning grids is stored within the software.
From the opening window, click on Examples.
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The sample files are organized according to subject areas. View a number of the
examples to identify which learning grid would support learning for your
students. Open learning grids you selected by double clicking on the grids
name.
Another great source of learning grids is LearningGrids.com
You can access LearningGrids.com through Clicker5 by clicking on the link in the
left navigation bar in the Clicker5 opening window.
Clicking LearningGrids.com in Clicker5 will
launch your internet browser and
navigate to the LearningGrids website.
Once LearningGrids opens, click
on the Free Resources tab near
the top of the webpage.
Here you can browse over 532 resources for Clicker5.
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Select
and view by clicking the
, manipulate by clicking
and download by
clicking the word
download in the
viewing window. (You
will need to set up a
free account to
download grids.)
Once you have identified the learning grid you wish to use, you must
decide how your students will access the learning grid. Some students can
access the learning grid as you have but other students will require a more
direct route (saved to the shared drive on the network or saved to the desktop
of the computer). Learning grids can be saved to your school’s network in the
same manner as other application files.
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Saving in Clicker5
Because Clicker5 uses two windows and many grids and pop-ups, it is
important to select the correct save function for your purpose.
Select the File menu. Here you will notice that where are a few save options
available.
As with other windows programs, ‘Save’ is used when you have already named
the document and identified the location where you wish the file to be saved.
‘Save As’ is used when you need to name or rename the document and or
identify a new location for the file.
In Clicker5, you can save documents and grid sets. As a teacher, you will want
to save the grid set to enable students access to the grid window and pop-up
functions. As a students, you will want to save the document. This will save the
text in the writer window and allow the text to be opened in any Clicker5
Learning Grid.
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