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Big Bang Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Big Bang was created using Macromedia Director. Director ® is © 1993 Macromedia, Inc. Big Bang is © 2004 Inclusive Technology Ltd. Sassoon Font is © 1993 Sassoon and Williams. No part of this publication or software may be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken with this product, the author and publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors it may contain. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this product. Big Bang was designed by Rod Boyes, Roger Bates, Kay Wrench, Claudia Gray and Guillermo Ibañez. Graphics by Claudia Gray. Coding by Guillermo Ibañez. Sound by Tim Adshead. Documentation by Alison Littlewood and Peter Butler. Cover design by Mark Ross. We welcome your comments on all Inclusive Technology products. Inclusive Technology Ltd Riverside Court Huddersfield Road Delph Oldham OL3 5FZ UK Tel: +44 (0)1457 819790 Fax: +44 (0)1457 819799 email:
[email protected] www.inclusive.co.uk
Big Bang
Introduction Big Bang is designed for those who need visual stimulation and to increase their understanding of cause and effect. It is of particular use for those with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Children who experience difficulty with attention may also find the images interesting and motivating.
The program helps to develop the visual skills associated with: • location - finding something on the screen; • fixing - holding attention on an object; • tracking - following an object’s movement across/around the screen. Big Bang is especially effective when used with a projector in a sensory room. The visually stimulating images can be displayed in a continuous sequence or can be used in early switch activities. In addition, they consist of nameable objects: this provides the teacher with language opportunities, even where students do not have speaking ability themselves.
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The background colour can be changed to provide a valuable assessment tool for the determination of visual preferences and contrast sensitivity. Similarly, the sound effects and music can be switched off to help ascertain whether the student is responding to the images or the sound. There are many options that can be set to tailor the activities to meet the needs of individual students. It is a good idea to review the options used with a particular student regularly, to provide advancement. You can also create activities away from the computer by printing out the images or by using objects that relate to those on the screen. There are four activities designed to be used at different levels of learning: Big Bang Actions provides lots of eye-catching movement, with crazy animations and sound effects to hold the attention. It also helps develop an early understanding of the concept of cause and effect and promotes early language skills. Big Bang Builds also has lots of animated fun but the cause and effect element is more sophisticated: the action builds up in response to switch presses. It helps develop skills of anticipation and an understanding of progression. Big Bang Movements has lots of objects that move about the screen in different ways. It encourages the development of tracking skills. Big Bang Colours is a simple cause and effect activity that changes the colour of the screen. It can also be used in colour naming work.
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Minimum Specification Windows OS: Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP. Processor: 350MHz Pentium 2. RAM: 32Mb. Audio: SoundBlaster 16 bit compatible sound card. Apple Macintosh OS: Mac OSX 10.2.8. Processor: 700MHz PowerPC G4. RAM: 128Mb.
Installation You will need to install Big Bang before you can run it. You only need to do this once. Windows Insert the CD. If your computer is set to Auto-run CDs, just follow the on-screen instructions. Otherwise, double-click on My Computer, then double-click on the CD icon. Double-click on Setup.exe to run the installer. Apple Macintosh Insert the CD. When the Big Bang CD icon appears, double-click on it. Doubleclick the icon called Install Big Bang to run the installer.
Running Big Bang Windows If the Big Bang icon is on the computer screen (the desktop), double-click on it. Otherwise click on the Start button, then on Programs, then on Inclusive Technology, then on Big Bang.
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Apple Macintosh If the Big Bang icon is on the computer screen (the desktop), double-click on it. Otherwise go to where you chose to install Big Bang to find the icon. When Big Bang begins, the title screen will appear*. It has four pictures, each representing a different activity. Place the mouse pointer over each picture to see a description of the activity in the box at the bottom of the screen. Then click on one of the pictures to start the selected activity. * If this not the first time the program has been run, you will be asked if you want to use the default settings or with the settings as when Big Bang was last used. Big Bang has lots of options so you can personalise it to your own needs. The options give Big Bang versatility and are its strength as a learning tool. This question gives you a quick route to playing Big Bang with your options as you had them before. If you’re not sure, just click Use the default settings.
To change the activity, press the Esc key on the keyboard to go to the Options menu. Then click Exit to return to the title screen, where you can select a new activity.
Stopping Big Bang Whilst playing an activity, press the Esc key on the keyboard. This will take you to the Options menu. Click on the Exit button to go to the title screen, then click on the X in the top right-hand corner of the screen to exit the program completely.
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Print You can print out a picture from Big Bang at any time. Windows Hold down the Ctrl key and press the P key. A standard Windows print dialogue box will appear. Click the Print button to print. Apple Macintosh Hold down the Apple key (also called Command) and press the P key. A standard print dialogue box will appear. Click the Print button to print.
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The opening screen displays an animating prompt to encourage the learner to engage with the computer. The image used as a prompt will change according to the animation to follow, to help develop skills of anticipation. A single switch press results in a lively, animated reward sequence accompanied by music or sound effects (optional). The animations always play in a fixed sequence. The teacher can select one by scrolling through them using the left and right cursor keys. The number in the bottom right hand corner of the screen indicates which animation is about to play.
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Options for Big Bang Actions When playing Big Bang Actions, you can press the Esc key to go to the Options screen. On the left-hand side you will see a column of buttons where different options can be set. Click on these to see the changes you can make.
Prompt
When playing Big Bang Actions, an animating prompt is shown at the start of each activity by default. You can choose to remove it using this menu: instead, each activity will begin with a blank screen.
Switch Control
This screen allows you to decide how long the animation will play following a single switch press. Big Bang
You can also elect for the user to stop the animation by pressing a second switch. This provides a simple way of introducing the use of two switches. For those who need extra reinforcement of the concept of cause and effect, you can choose to have the on-screen animation continue only whilst the user holds down their switch. Set up Serial Switches: if you are using switches on a PC connected through a switch box plugged into the serial port, you will need to configure the software to recognise how the connection is made. If you are using a Concept Keyboard with a PC as a single switch or two switches, you will also need to set up the software. Click on the button labelled Switches. A dialogue box will appear where you can configure the software for your switch box or Concept Keyboard.
Select the COM port through which your serial device is connected. Click on OK. The toolbar will disappear, but the serial switch program will continue to run invisibly and it will need to be closed separately from the main program when you have finished. IntelliKeys: click on the IntelliKeys button if you are using an IntelliKeys keyboard. An overlay file will be sent to your board so that it will operate as two switches (the board is divided vertically for two switch operation). You can also plug switches into the IntelliKeys. If you have one or two switches plugged in, the board will operate correctly.
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Animations
Using this menu you can choose which animations will appear when you play the activity. Remember you can use the left and right arrow keys while playing to choose particular animations.
Repeat
Here you can choose to have the animations repeat on the screen until the teacher presses the left or right arrow key on the keyboard. Also use this menu if you would like to remove the animation number from the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
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Sound and Music
Here you can choose to have sound effects or music, or to switch them both off.
Delay
Big Bang includes a ‘pre-acceptance delay’ function. This is useful for students who make brief involuntary switch presses which you don’t want the program to recognise. If you set the delay to 0.3 seconds, the program will only accept switch presses that last longer than 0.3 seconds.
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Background Colour
This option will change the background colour of the screen to offer a greater or lesser degree of contrast.
Big Bang Builds In this activity, a simple picture is built up in stages in response to three switch presses. When the picture is complete, an animated reward displays. The builds always play in a fixed sequence. The teacher can select one by scrolling through them using the left and right cursor keys. The number in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen indicates which animation is selected.
These are two of the steps in the Big Bang Build called Acrobats. Big Bang
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Options for Big Bang Builds When playing Big Bang Builds, you can press the Esc key to go to the Options screen. On the left-hand side you will see a column of buttons where different options can be set. Click on these to see the changes you can make.
Prompt An animating prompt is shown at the start of each activity by default. You can choose to remove it using this menu: instead, each activity will begin with a blank screen. See page 7 for an illustration.
Switch Control
This screen allows you to decide to have the animation play for a set time following a single switch press. You can also elect for the user to stop the animation by pressing their switch again, or by pressing a second switch. This provides a simple activity for introducing the use of two switches. You can also set up your serial switches or IntelliKeys using the IntelliKeys or Switches buttons. See page 7 for details.
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Builds
Here you can choose which picture builds will appear when you play the activity.
Repeat This screen offers the same choices as the Repeat screen in Big Bang Actions. See page 9 for details.
Sound and Music Here you can choose to have the sound effects on or off.
Delay This screen offers the same choices as the Delay screen in Big Bang Actions. See page 10 for details.
Background Colour This option will change the background colour of the screen to offer a greater or lesser degree of contrast. See page 11 for an illustration.
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Big Bang Movements
The object that will perform the movement appears on the screen in its starting position. When the user presses their switch it moves around the screen, leaving a trail of related objects behind it. When the movement is complete, the trail will flash before disappearing. The movements always play in a fixed sequence. The teacher can select one by scrolling through them using the left and right cursor keys. The number in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen indicates which animation is selected.
Options for Big Bang Movements When playing Big Bang Movements, you can press the Esc key to go to the Options screen. On the left-hand side you will see a column of buttons where different options can be set. Click on these to see the changes you can make.
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Switch Control
Here you can choose how the movements are controlled. They can appear on-screen following a single switch press or the movement can continue only while the user holds their switch down. You can use the IntelliKeys and Switches buttons to set up your serial switches or IntelliKeys. See page 7 for details.
Movements
Big Bang Movements provides a variety of tracking activities using animations that move in different directions. Here, you can select which ones will appear. Remember to use the left and right arrow keys whilst playing to select different pictures.
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Movement Speed
Using this screen you can alter the speed of the animations.
Repeat This screen offers the same choices as the Repeat screen in Big Bang Actions. See page 9 for details.
Pause
This screen controls the pause between the end of one animation and the prompt appearing for the next. This also affects how long the trails will stay on-screen following a movement.
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Delay This screen offers the same choices as the Delay screen in Big Bang Actions. See page 10 for details.
Sound and Music Choose to have sound effects or music, or switch them both off. See page 10 for an illustration.
Trails
By default, the animated objects will leave trails to help the student track their movement. You can choose to switch off the trails option here.
Background Colour This option will change the background colour of the screen to offer a greater or lesser degree of contrast. For an illustration see page 11.
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Big Bang Colour This is a simple activity that changes the colour of the screen in response to a switch press. Each colour has a different sound effect. We have added a bubbles effect to simulate a bubble tube. The different colours appear in sequence.
Options for Big Bang Colour When playing Big Bang Colour, you can press the Esc key to go to the Options screen. On the left-hand side you will see a column of buttons where different options can be set. Click on these to see the changes you can make.
Timeout
To encourage the student to interact with the computer, you can opt for the screen to go blank if they do not press their switch for 30 seconds.
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Sound
Here you can switch the sound effects on or off. Big Bang Colour also has a background bubbling noise to go with the bubbles on the screen. You can switch it off here.
Delay This screen offers the same choices as the Delay screen in Big Bang Actions. See page 10 for details.
Summary of Access Options Mouse and Touch Screen Any of the mouse buttons will operate as a single switch. If the program is set for two switch access, the left and right mouse buttons will operate as two separate switches. Touch screens will work as a single switch. Just touch anywhere on the screen!
Keyboard If Big Bang is set up for single switch operation, the Spacebar will act as the switch. If the software is set up for two switch use, Spacebar and Enter operate as two separate switches. Big Bang
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Concept Keyboard This option is only available for the Windows version of the software. You may use a Concept Keyboard as a single switch or as two switches, using the left and right sides of the board. Go to the Options menu and click on Switches. Select the COM port where your Concept Keyboard is attached.
IntelliKeys Keyboard You may wish to use an IntelliKeys keyboard as either a single switch or two switches, using the left and right sides of the board. The program comes with Overlay Sender and an overlay file called IKeys. Go to the Options menu and click on the IntelliKeys button. This will set up the IntelliKeys for use with Big Bang.
Switches Switches can be connected to the computer in different ways. As a rule, Big Bang requires interface boxes to act as if the Spacebar or Enter keys are pressed. See below for further details: Apple Macintosh • IntelliKeys
If you are connecting switches through an IntelliKeys keyboard, go to the Options menu and click on IntelliKeys. The relevant information will be sent automatically to your IntelliKeys keyboard.
• Don Johnston Switch Box
Plug your switch(es) into the sockets identified for [1] and [2].
• USB Switch Box
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If this has software, it should be set up to act like the Spacebar and Enter keys. Big Bang
Windows • IntelliKeys
If you are connecting switches through an IntelliKeys keyboard, go to the Options menu and click on IntelliKeys. The relevant information will be sent automatically to your IntelliKeys keyboard.
• Don Johnston Switch Box
Plug your switch(es) into the sockets identified for [1] and [2].
• Serial Switch Box
Go to the Options menu and click on Switches. Select the COM port where your switch box is connected.
• Mouser
Switches connected through a Mouser act in the same way as mouse buttons.
• USB Switch Box
If this has software, it should be set up to act like the Spacebar and Enter keys.
• Inclusive SwITchBox
By default, switches plugged into sockets 1 and 2, Space and Enter, should act like the Spacebar and Enter keys on the keyboard. If they do not, run the software for the box.
• SwitchBoard
Plug your switches into the sockets marked Enter and Space.
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The Inclusive Technology Troubleshooting Guide This is a simple guide to common problems when trying to install, remove or use any new software. If you need any further assistance, please contact us. Our online support website is available at www.inclusive.co.uk (click on support), e‑mail us on
[email protected] or telephone Technical Support on 01457 819723.
1. I put my CD in and nothing happens. To install the software, do the following: • Click on ‘My Computer’. This is either on the desktop of your computer or in the Windows Start Menu. • This will open a window showing all your computer drives. Double-click on your CD drive (usually the D drive) and you will see a list of everything on the CD. There will be an icon called ‘Setup’. Double-click on this icon and the software installation will start. 2. I have installed the program but no text appears in the menu. To complete the installation you must restart your machine. After a reboot, all text will appear. 3. How do I set switches up? It’s a popular misconception that switches plug directly into your computer when used with switch accessible software. You actually need to plug them into a Switch Interface. These come in various shapes and sizes including switch boxes and roller/joysticks (see www.inclusive.co.uk). The most popular interfaces are dedicated devices that sit between the switch and the computer and convert the switch press into the press of a chosen keyboard key. The software recognises this key press (usually Space and/or Enter) and acts accordingly. When using two switches (one to scan, the other to select), all Inclusive Technology software uses the same key presses: Space to scan and Enter to select. Some switch interfaces are programmed using their own software; others are simply a case of plug-in and play. If you require further help regarding switch set-up, please contact us.
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4. I would like to remove the software but don’t know how. There are two ways to remove programs: a) Go to the Windows Start menu. Click Settings and then Control Panel. Double-click on ‘Add or Remove Programs’. This will bring up a window showing all software installed on your computer:
Click on the Change/Remove button and follow the prompts to remove the software. b) Not all software appears in Add/Remove programs. If your software does not, follow these steps: • Open ‘My Computer’ (see Question 1). • Double-click on the C drive. • Double-click on the Inclusive folder. • Highlight the folder with the software you want to remove and press ‘Delete’.
5. When I run the program, my screen goes black, or only some of the program is displayed on the screen. (Windows only.) This problem is sometimes caused by the program trying to fill your computer screen. It is usually solved by installing the correct software drivers for your monitor. If this can’t be done, there is a way to prevent the program from trying to fill up your screen. a) Click the right mouse button on the program icon on the Desktop. This will make a pop-up menu appear. b) Click the left mouse button on Properties at the bottom of the pop-up menu. This will make the following window appear:
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(If it doesn’t look much like this, click on the word Shortcut at the top of the window.) c) Add “ /c” to the end of the text in the Target window. For example, if the text ends BigBang.exe” Change this to BigBang.exe” /c Remember to type a space before /c. Also make sure the / is not a \. d) Now click the OK button at the bottom of the window. Now try running the program again. If the program runs but has a black border round the edge, you can exit the program and try changing the “display resolution” to 800x600. Extra help from Inclusive... Don’t forget that there are over a thousand pages of information about using technology to support your learners on our website. See: www.inclusive.co.uk We organise Information Days around the country which are packed with advice, inspiration and ideas. See: www.inclusive.co.uk/events We also organise exhibitions about ICT for special needs. See: www.inclusive.co.uk/exhibitions
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