Alternative Keyboards and Input Devices

1. Alternative Keyboards and Input Devices Scott A. Dougherty IDEA Training & Consultation Coordinator Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3

2. The Big Disclaimers • Not a company representative • Not a list of “must buys” - other products will: • Do some things in a better way • Do some things in the same way • Do some things in a worse way • Do some totally different things • What you see is NOT all you can get • We ARE dealing with silicon

3. Feel free to ask questions as they come to you We will take a break mid-session, but feel free to move around Materials are available for download at http://www.aiu3.net/ Housekeeping

4. Session Goals • Provide an overview of input devices for the computer • Demonstrate the use and application of several devices • Discuss implementation of input devices in the course of daily learning experiences

5. Standard QWERTY Alphabetic Dvorak Portable Large Print/Button Miniature Keytop Overlays & Keyguards Coded/Alternate Entry Programmable Onscreen Word prediction Keyboards

6. Features Readily available Commonplace and familiar Plug-and-play or freely convertible via operating system QWERTY Dvorak Alphabetic Miniature Considerations Specialized layouts impact generalization of skill on non-adapted computers Plug-and-play versus programmed Standard Keyboards

7. Optimizer Keyboard • Optimize key to reduce movement away from keyboard • Mouse control • Number pad • QWERTY format

8. Tactile Pro 2.0 • Replicates the feel of the old Macintosh keyboard • Available in Mac and PC versions • USB 2.0 port built into the device • Available with a pre-programmed Optimizer button (see previous slide)

9. Trackball Keyboard • Standard QWERTY keyboard • Integrated pointing device • PS/2 keyboard • PS/2 or USB trackball

10. Versa Point RF Keyboard • Wireless configuration • 100 foot range • Line-of-site not required • Integrated pointing device • Available as a combo with wireless cursor control unit

11. Features Most are standalone word processors Reduce distractions May offer add-in functionality Pre-programmed Download SD card Text shared with computer via wire or wireless connection Durability Low power consumption Considerations Inexpensive in comparison to a laptop Screen size Brightness and contrast limits Limited display fonts and sizes Portable Keyboards

12. CalcuScribe • Portable keyboard • Built-in calculator • Text display options • 4-line • 8-line • File management system • Folders • Menu structure • Wireless beaming to other CalcuScribes for collaboration

13. Dana Portable Keyboard • Palm-based • Organization tools • Downloadable software • Laptop-like functionality • Large screen • Backlight for use in dark rooms • Send or Sync

14. Flexible Keyboard • Water resistant • Low pressure to activate • Rollable for storage and transport • Available in two heights • Standard (19.6 in) • Short (16.2 in)

15. Folding Keyboard by Matias • Full-sized keyboard • Integrated number pad with Tab key feature • Function key access • Arrow keys • Page navigation • Delete • Volume control keys

16. Text-to-speech output Word prediction Split screen vocabulary word lists Pre-programmed writing prompts Rubrics Basic Perfect Paragraph Multi-Paragraph Essay Six Traits of Writing Persuasive Essay Response to Literature Creative Writing Build-your-own Fusion Keyboard (The Writer)

17. Neo & Neo 2 • Six font choices • Capable of running applets • Typing tutor • Word prediction • Quiz software • Wired or wireless transfer of text • Saves automatically in 8 locations

18. QuickPAD IR & QuickPAD Pro • Integrated typing tutor • Built-in thesaurus and word prediction • Infrared connection via dedicated receiver • Password-capable portfolio filing system to organize writing files • Up to 70 pages in 10 separate folders (QuickPAD IR)

19. Features Color schemes for ease of viewing or identification Large “target” Clearer separation between letters on large keys Considerations Larger footprint Reduced key set Visually distinct from traditional keyboards Large Print/Button Keyboards

20. BigKeys LX & Keyboard Plus • Standard keyboard footprint • One-inch keys • LX model • 60 keys • Black and white keys • Plus model • 48 keys • Color keys • Black and white keys • Variety of layouts • QWERTY • ABC

21. Clevy Keyboard • Vertically aligned keys • Keys are four times larger than standard keys • Keys colored by function • Fewer keys than a standard keyboard • Durable – keys are switches, not membranes

22. Large Print Keyboard • Standard-sized keyboard • Enlarged key font (roughly 3 times standard size) • Black on yellow • Black on ivory • Yellow on black • Hot keys for common commands and applications

23. ZoomText Keyboard • High-contrast keys • White on black • Yellow on black • 16 programmable buttons

24. Features Reduce “travel” for users with small hand spans or fingers May be useful when Fatigue is common Range of motion is limited Only one hand is used for key activations Considerations Key face often features a smaller font than a standard keyboard Miniature Keyboards

25. EZ-Reach Keyboard • Flat profile • Vertically aligned keys • Backspace and Enter are repositioned for access by the forefinger (rather than the little finger)

26. Frogpad • Wired and wireless (Bluetooth) configurations • Wearable version • PDAs • Handheld devices • USB version • Handhelds • Laptops • Desktops • Left and right hand models • Non-standard key configuration (frequency-based)

27. Half Keyboard • Palm-sized • Left-hand only • Allows user to type with left hand and navigate pointer with right hand

28. Half QWERTY Keyboard • Full-sized keyboard • QWERTY arrangement • Two-handed typists • Left-handed typists • Right-handed typists

29. Low Profile Keyboard • 101 keys • Integrated pointer available • Joystick • Trackball • Laptop-like feel • Lightweight • Flat profile (approximately one inch high) • Small frame (less than 6”x12”)

30. Magic Wand Keyboard • Built-in mouse • 11 speeds • Left, right, & double click • Click-drag • Accessible with slight head or hand movement • Handheld wand • Mouthstick • No force required for activation • Small profile (7” x 6” x 0.5”)

31. Space Saver Keyboard • 100 keys • Narrow design (10.8”x6”) • Keypad, function, and arrow keys above standard alphanumerics • Two models • Desk (weighted, 2.55”) • Flat (unweighted, 0.75”) • Available with or without integrated touch pad

32. USB Mini Keyboard by Tash • Membrane surface • Keys less than ½-inch square • QWERTY layout • Auditory feedback • Mouse Mode key for positioning and click functions • Adjustable features • Response rate • Key repeat rate • Mouse tracking rate

33. Features Increasingly available (and standard) in school, home, and work environments Reduce repetitive stress injuries by supporting more natural hand positions Some models are adjustable Considerations Not conducive to one-handed typing May not fit into built-in keyboard trays Ergonomic Keyboards

34. Contoured Keyboard by Kinesis • Two models • Advantage • Classic • Concave key arrangement • Accommodates differing finger lengths • Prevents wrist extension • Central positioning of common “weak finger” keys • Backspace • Enter • Foot switch compatible

35. Freestyle Keyboard by Kinesis • Adjustable, split keyboard • Pivot Tether connects both modules • Driverless Hot keys (not supported on Macs) • Optional accessory packages for increased functions

36. Goldtouch Keyboard • Splits into two sections for adjustment between 0 and 30 degrees • Horizontal • Vertical (tenting) • Integrated numeric keypad • External numeric keypad available

37. Maltron Ergonomic Keyboard • Concave key wells to accommodate differing finger lengths • Centralized number keys • Vertical alignment of key rows • Thumb keys • Return • Space • Backspace • Shift Lock feature

38. Maxim Keyboard by Kinesis • Low-force keys • Horizontal and vertical adjustments at 0, 8, or 14 degrees • Removable palm supports • Embedded numeric keypad • External numeric keypad available

39. Natural Keyboard Elite by Microsoft • Keys aligned for natural wrist and arm alignment

40. Tru-Form Keyboard • Split keyboard in an integrated unit • Built-in wrist support • Dual keys • PC – Alt, Shift, Control, & spacebar • Mac – Command, Shift, Option, Control, & spacebar • Option of built-in touchpad

41. Features Adapt keyboards for moisture-prone use Provide color cues to emerging typists Retrofit an existing keyboard inexpensively Provide support for users unable to support wrists or isolate keys easily Considerations Adhesives may leave a residue when removed OS settings may need to be adjusted (in cases where a keyboard is being changed to a non-QWERTY layout) Keytop Overlays & Keyguards

42. Keyboard Skins • Protect keyboard from moisture and dust • Conforms to keyboards for a secure fit • Requires model and FCC# at time of order (to ensure proper configuration)

43. Keyguards • Available in plastic or metal versions • May be easily removed, if necessary • Conforms to specific keyboard arrangments (specified at time of order) • Keyguards are often available for specialized keyboards (through the keyboard manufacturer)

44. Keytop Overlays • Braille • Early Learning • Finger Position • High Contrast • Large Print • Uppercase/Lowercase

45. Features Utilize chords, codes, or pre-programmed settings Reduce keystrokes Reduce hand movement (travel) Considerations Learning curve is typical Non-intuitive Coded/Alternate Entry Keyboards

46. BAT Keyboard • Left and right hand models • Single-handed keying • Can be used in addition to a standard keyboard • Free hand for Braille reading • Seven keys to perform all standard keystrokes • Chord-based entry • Programmable macros

47. Darci USB • Adjustable, stored settings • One to three switches • Timing • Code set • Plug-and-play (no specialized drivers) • Bus-powered for convenience and portability • Audio feedback

48. EasyLink Braille Keyboard • Bluetooth Brailler • 6 Braille keys • 3 function keys • Compact design • Highly portable • 10 hours of continuous use on battery

49. EZ Keys XP • Multiple layouts/entry methods for adapted computer access • Mouse • Switch access • Single • Multiple • Keyboard • Mouse emulation software • Morse Code • Built-in features • Text to speech • Word prediction • Abbreviation expansion

50. Jouse2 • Morse code joystick • Control movement with mouth, chin, cheek, or tongue • Perform mouse clicks with the integrated sip and puff switch • Emulates mouse and keyboard activations • Four user-selectable versions of Morse Code