Boardmaker is a
library of standardized picture symbols (Picture Communication Symbols or PCS) that is widely used across Canada and
the rest of the world. Although it is just one of the many symbol systems
available these days, it is very familiar in our schools and homes and there
are many pre-made boards and resources available, if you know where to find them. If you are looking for information about Boardmaker, how to use it, where to find it and how to search out boards that you can use right away, read on!
Boardmaker Online
Boardmaker Online is a complete system for delivering personalized instruction and therapy while also measuring student progress. All boards and activities created in Boardmaker Online can be accessed from the Internet anywhere. A yearly subscription fee is payable for unlimited use.
If you want to explore Boardmaker Online a little more before subscribing, there is a free 30 day trial available – choose either a personal or professional plan. A Boardmaker
Online Personal account allows a parent or instructor to upload, find, or
create activities and put them in a playlist for one child / student to access
through the web or an iPad. A
Boardmaker Online Professional account allows a single instructor to upload,
find, or create activities and assign them to individual students, each with
their own login and IEP goals.
Where can I find the software?
If you don't own the Boardmaker software, there may be places in your community where you can go to try making boards, sometimes for a small cost and sometimes for free. If you are not sure where to find Boardmaker in your community, first ask your Speech Language Pathologist or AAC therapist if they can point you in the right direction.
In London, Ontario, Boardmaker is available to families whose children are clients of the TVCC, located in the Resource Library on the first floor, across from reception. A computer with Boardmaker software, a colour printer and laminator are available for use.
Or contact Child Reach at 265 Maitland Street London (tel: 519-434-3644), where access to the Resource Centre and toy centre is available for an annual membership fee of $35 per year or $5 guest pass per visit.
How do I use the software?
Boardmaker Basics:
Can’t remember how to paste multiple symbols or how to make the background of your cell blue in Boardmaker v.6? Here’s a cheatsheet outlining the basics, taken from the TVCC workshop. It may just provide you with a handy reminder of how to create or adapt boards for your child.
Can’t remember how to paste multiple symbols or how to make the background of your cell blue in Boardmaker v.6? Here’s a cheatsheet outlining the basics, taken from the TVCC workshop. It may just provide you with a handy reminder of how to create or adapt boards for your child.
I don't have time to make all the boards that I need!! Where can I find pre-made activities?
Free community account within Boardmaker Online.
Search for pre-made
activities by category, grade level, activity type (interactive or print),
version and more. Preview the activities and read a description about the activity's intended
use.
If you are looking
for resources to save you time and to give you some great ideas about how to
use Boardmaker, here’s a great collection of links put together by Glenda on
the blog “Glenda’s Assistive Technology Information and More…” This blog entry, entitled Boardmaker and other Picture Symbol Resources has links to information specifically related to Boardmaker, plus lots of links to boards that can be printed out and used right away (many in PDF format so you don't even need Boardmaker software).
The Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs blog has another list of websites where Boardmaker boards can be found.
Bliss, Widget Symbols, Symbol Stix, Pixons...
The Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs blog has another list of websites where Boardmaker boards can be found.
pictureSET is SET-BC’s collection of downloadable visual
supports that can be used by students for both receptive and expressive
communication in the classroom, at home, and in the community. The searchable
database can be used to find a wide range of useful visual supports for
different curriculum areas, activities and events, many of which have been
created in Boardmaker. If you have access to Boardmaker, you will be able to
modify/personalize these as needed. If
you don’t have access to Boardmaker, you can still print out the PDF version of
the board (without making any changes).
As we mentioned
earlier, there are many other symbol sets available. Here is an overview of some of
them:
