Shapes

This program uses shape names and pictures to help the student to learn listening, identifying, and naming skills. There are eight sub-programs.

Select a program by clicking on the option and then click the “Enter” button to open the program.

Help

Click on the “Help” button to view the help contents. The help file opens in a separate window.

About

Click on the “About” button to view the profile of this company.

Enter

After selecting a sub-program, click on the “Enter” button to open the program.

Exit

To close this “Actions” program, click on the “Exit” button.

Note: In most of our matching and activity programs, the student must wait until the command voice has finished before he/she clicks on the object. For instance, the voice must finish “Match catching” before the student clicks on the catching picture. (If the student clicks on the catching picture before the voice command is finished, nothing will happen.) Therefore the teacher/parent needs to instruct the student to wait for the voice command to finish.

These sub-programs are:

1. Shape Matrix

Select the option “Shape Matrix” and click on the “Enter” button to open this program.

Shapes are shown here in a three-row, three-column matrix. At the bottom of the screen are four options (Auto Play, Filled, Label, and Sound) with check boxes. When the mouse pointer moves over the picture of a shape, the shape gets larger, and (depending on whether the options have been checked) the program voice pronounces the name of the shape, and the name is displayed on the shape.

Auto Play
Check this box to run the “Shape Matrix” program automatically; the student can just sit back and watch. To stop the automatic run, uncheck the box.
Sound
This option is selected by default. When this box is checked, the program pronounces the name of the shape. If unchecked, it doesn’t say the name.
Filled
This check box is checked by default. When this is checked, shapes displayed on the screen are filled. When unchecked, only the outline of the shape appears.
Label

This option is selected by default. When this box is checked, the name of the shape appears on the picture. When unchecked, the word doesn’t appear.

Done
Click on the “Done” button to close “Shape Matrix” and return to the main program.
2. Progressive Method
Click on “Progressive Method” and then click the “Enter” button to open the setting dialog box. The setting dialog box offers four categories of choices. These categories are Mode, Settings, Distracter, and Selection.
Mode
Training
This option is selected by default. When this is selected, the program can be used to train the student.
Test

Select this option to measure the student’s progress. The “Report” button under “Test” mode is enabled. The “Prompt (Animation)” option is disabled.
Report
This displays results of the “Test”. The report features are similar to those of “Matching Shapes Using Pictures”.
Settings
Prompt (Blink)
This option is selected by default. When this is checked, the correct shape blinks after ten seconds to help the student to identify the correct answer. Uncheck this feature to disable it.
Command Text
This option is selected by default. When this is checked, the name of one of the shapes appears at the bottom of the screen. It tells the student which item to identify. If unchecked, the name won’t be visible.
Distracter
A “distracter” here means an incorrect choice.
Shape
This option is selected by default. When this is selected, distracters are all shapes.
Non-shape
If this option is selected, distracters are not shapes but some other items.
Mixed
Distracters are either shapes or non- shapes.
Selection
The first shape (Square) is the default. . Any shape can be selected from the list shown under “Selection”.
Ok
Click on the “Ok” button to open this program.

This “Progressive Method” is designed to introduce the shapes to the student one by one. This method allows the student to master the shapes’ names gradually.

This “Progressive Method” runs through seven stages:

Stage 1

 

Introduction. The selected shape moves from the left side to the center of the screen and a character points to the shape and pronounces the name of the shape. This continues until the student clicks the “>>” button to move to the next stage.

Stage 2 

 

Single. In Stage 2, the student is asked to find the shape (There is only one choice) introduced in Stage 1. When the student clicks on the shape, he/she is taken to the next stage.

Stage 3 

 

One Distracter. The shape introduced in Stage 1 and another picture as distracter are shown and the student is asked to find the shape. When the student clicks on the correct shape, the next “find” question comes up. As long as the student clicks on the correct shape, he/she stays in Stage 3. The student can move on to the next stage by clicking the “>>” button. If the student clicks on the wrong shape, then the program returns the student to Stage 1, the Introduction Stage.

Stage 4 

 

Two Distracters. In Stage 4, the shape introduced in Stage 1 and two other pictures as distracters are shown on the screen and the student is asked to find the shape introduced in Stage 1. As long as the student clicks on the correct shape, the student remains in Stage 4. When the student clicks on a wrong shape, he/she is taken back to Stage 1. The student can move forward by clicking the “>>” button.

Stage 5 

 

Three Distracters. The shape is shown with three other pictures as distracters. If the student clicks on the wrong shape, then the program returns the student to Stage 1, the Introduction Stage.

Stage 6 

 

Combinations. The shape that the student identified in Stages 1 through 5 will appear as distracter or as the shape to be identified. Another shape (which the student learned earlier) will also appear as a distracter or as the shape to be identified. If the student clicks on the wrong shape, then the program returns the student to Stage 1, the Introduction Stage.

Stage 7 

 

This is the last stage. In this Stage, the student is asked to identify all the shapes he/she has learned so far. If the student clicks on the wrong shape, then the program returns the student to Stage 1, the Introduction Stage.

>>

When the student clicks on the “>>” button, the program introduces the next shape in the list.

<<

At any time the student can move backward by clicking the “<<” button when the button is visible.

Done
Click on the “Done” button to close this program.
3. Matching Shapes Using Pictures

Click on “Matching Shapes Using Pictures” and then click the “Enter” button to open this program.

The default selections for this program are: Level 3, Training Mode, Shape Distracter, Shape Type Filled, Same Color, Command Text, Prompt with Blink, Congratulatory Animation, and Select All.

Here a shape is shown at the top of the screen. The student is asked to click on the matching shape shown among others at the bottom of the screen.

Level 1
When this option is selected, one shape appears at the top of the screen. One shape is shown at the bottom of the screen to be matched with the one at the top, without any distracter.
Level 2
When this option is selected, one shape appears at the top of the screen. Two pictures are shown at the bottom of the screen to be matched with the one at the top of the screen. There is one correct choice and one distracter. You can choose a Shape or Non- shape distracter. “Mixed” gets disabled.
Level 3
This level is selected by default. One Shape appears at the top of the screen. When this option is selected, three pictures are shown at the bottom of the screen to be matched with the one at the top of the screen. There is one correct choice and two distracters. You can choose a Shape, Non-shape, or Mixed distracter.
Training
The Training mode is selected by default. This program uses shapes to train listening and matching skills.
Test
Here, the student can test him/herself. “Prompt” and “Congratulatory Animation” are disabled. The test results are recorded and “Report” becomes enabled.
Report

Only under “Test” mode is “Report” enabled. After doing any number of test problems, you can click on “Done” to see the report. When you click on “Done” the settings screen appears. Now click on the “Report” button under “Test” to see test results. First the current test result will be shown with the date, starting time, end time, and level of the test. It also shows the percentage of correct answers. There are also buttons for showing test results in different forms. “Report” allows the teacher/parent to measure the student’s progress. The following are available.
Detailed Report
This screen shows test results including the grade, object identified, distracters, and time taken to finish the test.
View Old Records
If there are old test results, they will be shown on this screen. The current test result is always on top.
Bar Chart
If you wish to see test results on a bar chart, click this button.

Overalls
This button appears on the Bar Chart Screen. Here, the student can see the average of all test results of up to the last ten attempts. Written vertically on the bar are: overall percentage of correct answers, and date and starting time of the tests. When there are any old results, they will be shown, left to right, from oldest to latest.

Right Arrow 
This changes the display to the next more recent set of test results. When the current test result is on the screen, this button is grayed.

Left Arrow
This changes the display to the previous set of test results. When this button is grayed, there is no earlier test to see.

On the top left corner, the display indicates which record is being shown out of total records.

Print
When this button is clicked, the printer prints the current screen.
Delete
All existing records will be erased if this button is clicked. (But a warning message box pops up and asks for confirmation.)
Done
Click on this button to close the screen and return to the previous screen.
Distracter
Shape
This option is selected by default. When this option is selected, the distracters are shapes. This option is disabled for Level 1 and available for Level 2 and Level 3.
Non-shape
When this option is selected, the distracters are some items other than shapes. This option is disabled for Level 1 and available for Level 2 and Level 3.
Mixed 
This option is available only for Level 3. When this is selected, one distracter is a shape and the other distracter is a non-shape.
Shape Type
Filled 
This option is selected by default. The shapes shown on the screen are filled when this option is selected.
Unfilled
When this option is selected, the shapes on the screen are empty. The outlines of the shapes are in black. The color options, “Same Color” and “Different Color”, are disabled when “Unfilled” is selected.
Same Color
This option is selected by default. When this is selected, the shapes shown on the screen are all in the same color. When shape type “Unfilled” is selected, this option is disabled.
Different Color
When this is selected, the shapes shown on the screen are all in different colors. When shape type “Unfilled” is selected, this option is disabled.
Command Text
This is checked by default. When checked, a short command text is visible at the bottom of the screen. If unchecked, the command text will not be visible,
User Defined

This feature allows the teacher/parent to customize the screen by selecting particular matching shapes and distracters and choosing their locations on the screen.

When this box is checked, the next screen will be the “SELECTION” screen. This screen allows the teacher/parent to choose the matching object (shape to be identified) and its location on the screen. It also allows the teacher/parent to choose the distracter/s.

There are no distracters for Level 1. Therefore the teacher/parent should select only the matching shape.

For Level 2 and Level 3, the teacher/parent has to select the matching shape, its location, and distracters from the User Defined “selection” screen before clicking the “Ok” button.

The picture-matching screen has a “Back” button. The student can return to the User Defined setting screen by clicking this button. Click the “Done” button to close the User Defined program.

Prompt

This is checked by default. If the student fails to match the correct shape within ten seconds, the program guides him/her to the correct shape. This is available for “Training” mode but disabled for “Test” mode.

Uncheck this box if the prompt is not needed in “Training” mode.

Prompt with Blink
This option is selected by default. If the correct shape picture is not chosen after ten seconds, it blinks.
Prompt with Label 
The names of the shapes appear below the pictures.

Congratulatory Animation

This box is checked by default. This is available only for the “Training” mode. When this is checked, clicking the correct shape invites a congratulatory animation. This animation runs for ten seconds. Click anywhere on the screen or press the space bar to stop the congratulatory animation.

Uncheck the box if the student doesn’t need congratulatory animation.

Selection
Click on this check box to select or deselect the shapes.
Select All
Check this box to select all shapes. Uncheck to deselect.
Ok
Click this button to open this program after choosing the settings.
Done
Click this button to close this program and return to the main menu.
4. Matching Shapes Using Words

Click on “Matching Shapes Using Words” and then click the “Enter” button to open this program.

This program runs like “Matching Shapes Using Pictures,” but instead of pictures, words that name the shapes are used. The student is required to click on the correct word which represents the shape shown at the top of the screen.

The settings are the same as those of “Matching Shapes Using Pictures”.

5. Discriminating Shapes

Click on “Discriminating Shapes” and then click the “Enter” button to open this program.

Here, the student is asked to find and click on the correct shape as shown on the screen.

The default selections for this program are: Level 3, Training Mode, Shape Distracter, Filled, Same Color, Command Text, Prompt with Blink, Congratulatory Animation, and Select All.

The settings are the same as those of “Matching Shapes Using Pictures”.

6. Making Shapes

Select the option “Making Shapes” and click on the “Enter” button to open this program.

Settings are similar to those of “Matching Shapes Using Pictures”.

An incomplete shape appears at the top of the screen. The program asks the student to complete the shape. The student chooses the correct piece from underneath the incomplete shape to add to the incomplete shape to make the complete shape.

7. Finding Shapes

Select the option “Finding Shapes” and click on the “Enter” button to open this program.

This program uses pictures to teach the students to identify shapes.

There is a picture at the top of the screen. There are several shapes within the picture. There are also empty outlines of the shapes below the picture. When the student clicks on one of the shapes in the picture, the program pronounces the name of the shape. The name of the shape appears under the picture and the empty outline of the shape fills with color. After all the shapes have been filled, an animation appears.

Reset
The student can click this button to empty the shapes and start the activity again.
>> and <<
By clicking on “>>” or “<<” the student can view the next or the previous picture and set of activities.
Done
Click on the “Done” button to close “Finding Shapes” and return to the main program.
8. Drawing Shapes

Select the option “Drawing Shapes” and click on the “Enter” button to open this program.

This option “With Model” is selected by default. A model teacher appears on the left and shows how to draw the shapes in the program.

The teacher uses black as the drawing color by default. Next to the teacher’s easel is a palette with four colors on it. The student can change the drawing color by clicking on the color in this palette. Over the palette is a check box labeled “fill.” If it is checked, the shapes will be filled in with color. (“Fill” is the default setting).

In the box on the right side of the screen, the student can draw the shape using the mouse. When the mouse pointer is in the box, it becomes a blue crayon. The empty shape appears in thin lines. An arrow guides the student in drawing the shape. The student follows the arrow (without crossing the guidelines) to draw the shape. After the student completes the shape, he/she can move the crayon inside the shape to fill it with color.

Refresh
Click on the “Refresh” button to start again.
>> and <<
By clicking on “>>” or “<<” the student can view the next or the previous shape and set of activities.
Done

Click on the “Done” button to close “Drawing Shapes” and return to the main program.