Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Touchy

I mean Touch Screens. They do wonders for my little F1-2. And since he is in his new Kindergarten class with a grand total of 4 students and 2 computers, he is been exploring the world of software for children with disabilities like never before. He seems to really like the software called "The Letter Machine" by Edmark. It uses a type-writer like interface on the screen, for the children to use the touch screen to touch a letter, which then results in cutsie pictures popping up and funny sounds. Perfect for F1-2. Now in December my parents (thanks!) purchased F1-2 a touch screen, but at that time he did not want to use the computer at home.

Now that we're in the final stages of re-constructing the kid's play area, the computer F1-2 used to use occasionally, has been taken over permanently by F1-1. I gave my old laptop to F1-2, and now we have it set up for him. But darn it, the touch screen doesn't fit the laptop monitor!! A screen for the laptop monitor would cost me another $175, and that is money we simply cannot shell out right now. And F1-2 is constantly hanging around his laptop, wanting to play with it, but frustrated at the lack of touch screen. My heart aches for him. I guess we're going to have to find a way for to get him another touch screen.

My husband suggested trying to sell the old touch screen, but from the little research I did, it doesn't seem there is a big market for used touch screens. I doubt we'll get much out of that. And of course, if I do splurge and buy the kid the touch screen, how much do you want to bet that the 6-year old laptop finally keels over within the week?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

does the touch screen fit on top of an existing monitor, and can it be used on a crt? my folks have tons of computer crap lying around. i could ask if they have a spare monitor.