Generalization of Objects

This program helps the student learn to generalize: to understand that “horse,” for instance, can mean any one of the category of horses, and not necessarily one particular horse.

This program uses some basic item names and pictures to help the student to learn to generalize.

There are 20 items listed in this program. They are airplane, apple, ball, banana, bicycle, bread, camera, car, cat, cup, dog, grapes, hat, horse, lion, motorcycle, orange, shoes, snake, and tiger.

The program opens with a “Settings” box. It offers items from five categories of choices. The categories are items for generalization; distracters; method; mode; and training mode settings such as label, prompt, and congratulatory animation.

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 “Show me an airplane” before the student clicks on the airplane. (If the student clicks on the airplane 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.
Help      
Click on the “Help” button to view the help file. The help file opens in a separate window.
About
Click on the “About” button to view the profile of this company.
Setting Box
Items
Items for Generalization
Twenty items are listed in alphabetical order. Any of these items can be selected for generalization. The first item (airplane) is selected by default. If an item is selected for generalization, it cannot be selected as a distracter.
Items for Distracter
A distracter here means any item that is not the correct answer. (The distracter is used so that the student can learn by comparing the items.)
The second item, apple, is chosen by default.
Method
There are two methods employed in this program.
Method 1

This is the default selection. There are three levels under this method. You are asked to show the pictures of the generalized item.

When the student clicks the “Enter” button on the “Settings” screen, he/she enters the activity screen. The item to identify (generalized item) is shown on the left side of the screen with a green blinking frame around it. When the blinking stops (after a few seconds) some pictures of other items (generalized and distracter items) show up on the right side. The program voice says (for instance) “Show me an Airplane” and the student clicks on the picture of the generalized item, the airplane. When the correct item is clicked, it disappears. Once all the generalized items on the screen are clicked, a congratulatory animation appears and the next set of pictures comes up.

Level 1

This is the default for method 1. When this option is selected two pictures show up on the left side of the screen. One is the item for generalization and the other is a distracter. When the correct picture is clicked, a congratulatory animation and the next set of items appear. This happens four times. Then, the items on the right appear with two of the generalized item and no distracters. This time both pictures should be clicked. Next, two pictures (one generalized and the other a distracter) are shown. This cycle (two generalized items and then one generalized item and a distracter) will continue until the “Done” button is clicked.

On the first four screens in Level 1, the picture on the left and the picture on the right of the generalized item will be the same picture. After the first four screens, the generalized item will be a different picture of a similar item. Here the student is beginning to learn to generalize.

Level 2

If Level 2 is selected, there will be three pictures on the right side of the screen. At least one of these pictures will be of the generalized item. The picture may be the same as the one in the green frame, or it may be similar but not identical. The student should click on the correct picture(s)

Level 3
If Level 3 is selected, there will be four pictures on the right side of the screen. At least one of these pictures will be of the generalized item. The picture may be the same as the one in the green frame, or it may be similar but not identical. The student should click on the correct picture(s).
Method 2

Unlike Method 1, Method 2 includes no example (Model) picture in a flashing green frame. The student is asked to click on the correct (named) picture.

This method passes through 7 stages. Stage 1 shows one picture of the named item, Stage 2 shows two pictures, Stage 3 shows three, and Stage 4 shows four. Stage 5 shows a picture of the generalized item with a distracter. Stage 6 shows two pictures of the generalized item with two distracters. Stage 7 shows three pictures of the generalized item with three distracters.

Click on the “>>” button to move to the next stage. If the “>>” button is clicked at Stage 7, the program returns to Stage 1.

Mode
There are two modes of program.
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
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.
There are three more settings (Label, Prompt (Blink), and Congratulatory Animation) that occur only in the training mode.
Label
This option is selected by default. When this box is checked, the name of the item appears just below the picture. When unchecked, the word doesn’t appear.
Prompt (Blink)
This option is selected by default. All the correct pictures will blink when this is checked.
Congratulatory Animation
This box is checked by default. When this is checked, clicking the correct item(s) 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.
Command Text
This option is selected by default. When this is checked, a short text appears at the bottom of the screen. It tells the student which items to identify. If unchecked, the text won’t be visible.
Enter
After selecting settings, click on the “Enter” button to open the program.
Exit
To close this “Generalization of Objects” program, click on the “Exit” button.