Chapter 5 Using Overlay Keyboards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Overlay Keyboard |
|
| Overall |
| Overlay |
|
| No. of |
|
| Connects |
|
| Keyguard |
|
| Price |
|
| Supplier |
|
|
|
|
|
| size cm |
| size cm |
|
| keys |
|
| to... |
|
| & price |
|
| Guide |
|
|
|
|
|
| MAC |
|
|
|
| 36 x 22 |
| 128 |
|
| ADB |
| 128, 64, 32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
| 39 x 29 |
| (US |
|
|
| keyboard |
|
| holes, £75 |
| £395 |
|
| Don Johnston |
| ||||
|
| Discover:Board |
|
|
|
|
| (16x8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| legal) |
|
|
|
| port |
|
| each |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| MAC |
|
|
|
| 36 x 22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 128, 64, 32 |
| £215 + |
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 128 |
|
| Ke:nx |
|
|
| £554 for |
|
| Don Johnston |
| |||||
|
|
|
| 41 x 30 |
| (US |
|
|
|
|
| holes, £75 |
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
|
| Key Largo |
|
|
|
|
| (16x8) |
|
| interface |
|
|
|
| Ke:nx |
|
|
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
| legal) |
|
|
|
|
|
| each |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| interface |
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overlay Keyboard Software
Most of the overlay keyboards need software in the computer to make them work:
•Keyboard Drivers & Editors. The keyboard driver software recognises when a key on the overlay keyboard is pressed and then inserts text, moves the mouse, or performs some other operation on the computer. (IntelliKeys is an exception – it plugs straight into the computer and can be used immediately.)
•Overlay File. The keyboard driver needs an overlay file (also called selection set or setup) which defines what each key does when pressed. Different overlay files are used for different programs and different purposes.
•Overlay Editor. Overlay files are created using an overlay editor program. Most overlay designer programs can also print out a paper overlay to match the overlay file.
Accessing Curriculum Software
There are several categories of educational software which are accessible with an overlay keyboard:
•Specifically designed software with driver for an overlay keyboard built in. Overlay files and matching paper overlays are supplied with the program. Everything is supplied ready to use so no programming is required. However, you are usually stuck with the overlays and activities offered by the program and the content is generally fixed. ClarisWorks templates, some My World support packs, Discover Curriculum Overlays and the IntelliKeys
•Content free software with optional overlay keyboard access. Usually a ‘starter set’ of overlay files and overlays are supplied with an overlay editor. The
•Keyboard drivers/emulators let you use the keyboard with any program running on the computer. Once a suitable overlay file is created the driver program operates the computer as though the ordinary keyboard or mouse were being used. These programs have considerable flexibility and they are particularly useful in integrated settings where the overlay keyboard user can get access to the same software that is being used by the rest of class. Creating overlays files and overlays for individual pupils and curriculum tasks is
Overlay keyboard Software Features
Price and supplier details of overlay keyboards are listed in Table
•Text. All the programs can insert text into an application on the computer.
•Control, Modifier and Cursor keys. All can generate control key combinations – for example, pressing
- 80 -