Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Touchscreen Portables

I am looking into getting something for Mr W to use and this looks promising.

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/mobile-wireless/business-automation/v212005.htm

Anyone using them?

I will ask my DH if he has tested or has knowledge of this one. What specifically are you hoping DS will get from this? Answering that will give DH more insight to what you want the equipment to do and if it is capable.

My doctor uses these for capturing patient data. They are still getting used to them, there is some finesse involved in not having your palm or forearm interfere with the pen, but this might not be an issue for some games...Is that what you're envisioning? Dd3 is learning to use the touchscreen on ds' old leapster. She's doing well but there are some hangups - very small coloring areas and the sort of 1/2 beat you have to wait for the pointer to be recognized sometimes throw her off. She really likes it though.

Mr W would like to navigate Starfall by himself. He just does not have the dexterity to do it with a laptop yet. He could also watch MPEGs or DVDs when we are travelling.

A touchscreen would give him the freedom to just touch the screen to navigate a lot of sites. The wireless would allow him to have it on the floor.

We could also load some games for him.

I will say two things: First, that seems like a lot of money to spend on something that is really not sturdy enough for even a very careful kid (IMHO). Second, I remember when DD3 taught herself to use my computer without help (around her second birthday), and what I remember about it is a profound sadness. Yes, it was much more convenient to not have to push the button for her every time she wanted a new page...but I felt like the thing that made it okay for her to play on the computer was that we were doing it together. I hate to see such young kids playing computer games by themselves, at a time in their lives when connecting with other people is the most important thing (again, IMHO). I know I'm not answering your question...but I couldn't read your post and not throw my 2 cents in.

I would be concerned about the price too, although I didn't take a peek at it, especially if my 40 lb princess were to step on it...but as for the interaction...well, sometimes the main interaction we get is a screaming battle to the death for control of the mouse (or shovel, or toothbrush, or whatever). I know dd 'can't' do things as quickly as me, but I tell you what, she REALLY wants to try. So at first it takes longer, but then she gets it, like with brushing (I still check and get yelled at, but I have to check!).
Anyway, if your Mr. W is exhibiting a similar..ahem, "need for freedom", I can definitely relate to wanting to offer that!

We tested out a bunch of tablets at the hospital where I work. I am in the IT department so I had plenty of time to "play". Tablets are still not worth the money. They are not robust enough. The touchscreen technology is still not usable for most people. I, personally, would not invest in one right now.

Have you tried trackball-type mice? They are stationary, so youngsters don't have the frustration of a regular mouse (or the little touchpads on laptops). My DS was able to use my trackball mouse at a very early age. The best one imho (microsoft explorer trackball) is no longer on the market, but there are a bunch on this site to look at, including kid's versions:

http://www.trackballworld.com

I am just replacing my MS explorer with a logitech cordless optical trackman, but haven't rec'd it yet, so can't review.

I haven't talked to DH yet ... he is getting a shot in the back this morning so when he is lounging in bed I will ask him about the touchscreen but given what you described as your wish list for DS I can almost bet his response will be to invest in a touchscreen laptop so your DS can have the function of the touchscreen but then later build on his computer abilities. The laptop my DH had to get with the latest technology was an HP TouchSmart tx2z series laptop. It really allows you to just use a finger but you can also use a stylus as well. I personally have an HP laptop with stylus ability but his new laptop blows mine away and it would definitely give your DS the freedom but growth potential.

And as for interaction with the child... same here chris... My DD is very independent and we have to allow her some of that or we have a battle. Really is about each child and their personalities.

Mr W is a very demanding little kid. if I don't give him my laptop, he does his "warface" and lets me have it verbally.

LOL.

He knows what the mousepad is for, but just does not have the feel to use it so he just gets me to do it.

I can't understand what he wants most of the time, so we both just end up frustrated. He would really much rather drive and given his "cost/value" approach to things - if he is not getting out of it what he thinks he should, he just goes onto something else.

He does touch the screen a lot and he learns after just one example, and I think if we could get him started with that then we could move to a wireless monitor/keyboard/mouse a few months later.

He is very careful if we tell him and is a cautious, thoughtful kid anyway. He has not broken anything around the house ever and he only bangs stuff that he knows is safe to bang. He knows how to turn all his toys off and on already.

I'd like to just let him explore on his own.

As for interaction, we cannot leave him along for very long before he comes looking for us. The level of interaction he demands is so high he is the only kid his sitter has and she has said she cannot handle us having another kid like him. (She said she would quit, even though she loves him to death. ) So, a little more time to himself would be good for everyone.