Display Technology
Australia school using TAPit displays to help students with special needs
February 4, 2022
Special needs students at the Kilparrin Teaching and Assessment School and Services location, in Adelaide, Australia, have access to two TAPit interactive education displays from Exertis ProAV Australia to help them learn and be more self-sufficient, according to a company press release.
During a 30-day trial period, Kilparrin staff witnessed students practice through trial-and-error to get the device to do what they wanted.
"I was able to learn a great deal about the student's digital literacy skills and ways we can build on those to develop other skills," Lindsey Patti, an educator with the school, said in the release. "The student had familiarity with iPad operations to watch Big Bang programs and she's consistently able to use the iPad as expected. When presented with the TAPit device, however, she attempted to start the program by swiping the screen, and nothing happened. After many attempts of banging on the screen, swiping different directions, and even slapping it, she tapped the screen gently and the program began. She showed us that she is able to run through the scientific method in her head, using varying approaches to solve a problem until she finds a solution."
The student used TAPit's "intended touch" technology that can recognize the difference between an arm resting on the screen and a finger or digital pen device. Patti said this journey of discovery and achieving goals independently is crucial for all students regardless of age and could be used to increase skills related to literacy, numeracy, and communication as well as digital device literacy.
The trial period was arranged by technology consultant Leading Digital.
"We always go out of our way to ensure that our customers can make their purchase decision with confidence in the performance and reliability of what they are investing in, and a trial period is just one way that we provide that customer confidence," Nick Cocks, Exertis ProAV Australia, said in the release "We are proud to be able to help Lindsey Patti and everyone else at Kilparrin make a difference in the lives of the students they help every day."
TAPit is an interactive learning station designed to provide accessibility to students with a convertible mobile stand that allows multiple configurations. With "intended touch," large icons, surface and finger touch input that allows hands to remain free for sign language, TAPit helps students with fine motor delays, developmental delays and hearing or visual impairment, according to the release.
Featuring a 42-inch display and motor to adjust display height and tilt for vertical or horizontal use, TAPit can be used on Windows and Apple computers to run software applications.
