Technology @ High Point, vol. 8
Tech for teaching and learning in our new space
Fill Your Toolbox!
This Week's Tech Feature:
Wireless Trackball and Joystick
Both devices can pair with a laptop, Chromebook, or Mac and they require no additional drivers or software. The Blueline joystick can also pair with an iPad and iPhone.
Both devices have recessed buttons on top to reduce accidental activations and switch jacks on the sides to plug in accessibility switches of your choice. The buttons on the Optimax are set for left click, right click and drag. The buttons and switches on the Bluelines can be programmed to meet the users needs and, once programmed, the settings are remembered for any device they are plugged in to.
These two cursor control options are versatile choices to meet the needs of many students.
Who is it for?
The trackball and joystick work great for students with difficulty with fine motor. Unlike a mouse, they do not require the user to hold on to anything. On the joystick, the large ball attachment is the easiest to hold on to without the use of fine motor control. The joystick is great for any users who are proficient in wheelchair joystick control or it can be used as a training tool for learning to use a wheelchair joystick. The trackball can be used with the side of the hand or the back of the hand, or even can be used with the arm or a foot. You can mount the trackball or joystick on a mounting arm to get it in just the right position. The Friction Knob mount with the rectangular plate and some Velcro works great for mounting these devices.
The joystick and trackball can be secured to a table with Velcro to prevent it from being thrown by students. Attach it to a table far from the BenQ board to discourage interactions with the screen by students who may injure themselves by hitting the board.
Setup Instructions
Optimax Trackball Instruction Manual
This video shows you how to connect the Blueline to your devices:
You can change the 3 buttons on the Blueline joystick and the 2 external switches to be any of the following functions:
- Left Click
- Middle Click
- Right Click
- Drag
- Delayed Drag
- Double Click
- Swipe Left (good on an iPad)
- Swipe Right (good on an iPad)
You can also set a dwell click for 1-5 seconds and also make it so buttons buzz when they are pressed. This video will show you how to do all of this programming and return the settings to factory defaults.
This video shows how to use the swipe left, swipe right and delayed drag settings on the Blueline joystick:
Setup of the Optimax is less customizable but simpler. Put a 9 volt battery in the trackball. Just plug in the USB receiver and the trackball is ready to go.
Maintenance
Optimax requires a 9 volt battery that should last a very long time (6 months as reported by the vendor) before replacing the battery.
Blueline will require charging following approximately 15 hours of continuous use. This joystick can also be used while plugged in. You just lose the wireless mobility at that time.
Ideas for Using This Tech in the Classroom
Turn Taking
Writing by Trackball
AAC Access
Jamie Mayo
Email: jmayo@washtenawisd.org
Website: www.washtenawisd.org
Location: 1819 South Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Phone: 734-994-8100
Twitter: @JamieLynnMayo