ASTECH SOFTWARE PRODUCTS
UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Astech Software produces software for children, especially those with special needs learning how to use communication devices. Learning the switch skills and mouse skills needed to access assistive technology may take children time to acquire. To maintain the children's motivation and interest we will be continuing the adventures of some of the characters on the present CDs as well as creating new series. We are also modifying most of our current CDs for touch access..

Keep visiting this web site for updates on new software available for purchase.

TOUCHSCREEN VERSIONS OF ASTECH'S
PRESS, PRESS WAIT & MOUSE SKILLS PROGRAMS

We are in the process of creating Version 2 programs of our 'Press', 'Press Wait' and most of our 'Mouse Skills' programs. At the beginning of the new programs you can choose the usual Switch or Mouse access or the new Touchscreen section. This will cue "Touch the screen" or "Touch the ... (object)" when the green pages appear.

Please contact us if you would like to be kept advised
as to when these programs will be available for purchase.

NEXT PROGRAMS
GOING INTO PRODUCTION

We hope to have the following two programs available for purchase in May 2010.
Please contact us if you would like to be advised when they are ready.

'MOUSE-ABOUT'

This is the second program in the junior Mouse Skills series and expands on the skills learned in 'Songs and Stories Mouse Skills'. It teaches basic mouse skills and is ideal for pre-school, primary and special needs children who are learning to use a computer mouse. The new skill learned in this program is dragging.

SKILLS TAUGHT:

Step 1 Roll-about
- rolling the cursor over a stationary target to trigger the next page to play.
'Farmyard Roll-about', 'Roll-about Tools' & 'Christmas Tree Roll'.

Step 2 Click-about
- clicking the mouse on a stationary target to trigger the next page to play.
'Transport Click', 'Household Click', 'Christmas Tree Click' & 'Cat & Mouse Click'.

Step 3 Drag-about
- holding the mouse button down on objects and dragging them wherever they like or to specified locations.
'Animal Drag', 'Fire Engine Drag', 'Racing Car Drag' & 'House Drag'.

'CHRISTMAS TREE FUN'

Switch / Choice Making / Mouse
Suitable for ... pre-school and junior school children learning to use a switch. This is now our second 'Choice Making' program but is smaller than 'Making Choices' and will therefore be less expensive to purchase. Although it has a Christmas theme, children will enjoy using it all year round.

SKILLS TAUGHT:

Switch - the adult rolls onto a variety of decorations on a tree with the mouse and the child presses the switch when they see/hear their choice. A fun sound effect or animation plays. The adult chooses the length of time between rollovers depending on the capabilities of the child. Once the child masters this type of basic scanning, they can then move onto the computer scanning arrays in the choice making section.

Choice Making - the computer scans across scanning arrays at 10, 7 and 4 second intervals and the child presses the switch when they see/hear their choice. Once the child has mastered this skill, it is possible for them to stay using this section without any help from an adult.

Mouse users can also use this program - the child rolls over the decorations with the mouse and chooses which ones they want to play. Although this program has been designed for switch users, mouse users will also enjoy rolling over and clicking the various decorations.

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NEWSLETTER

We are no longer publishing a newsletter but please email us at  software@astechnz.com if you would like us to keep you informed of any new programs or special deals.