- You are here:
- Home
- Support and Events
- Ideas for Using Symbols
Whether you’re supporting small children or adults, in a school, in a community environment or at home, this section provides you with helpful hints, tips and ideas for using Widgit Symbols and software.
Teaching and Learning
Organisation
Enhancing Your Environment
Internet Access
If you would like to share any of your ideas for using Widgit Symbols, we'd love you to get in touch. You can share your ideas with us using our contact form.
2011 is the 'Hello' National Year of Communication!
The 'Hello' campaign is being run by the Communication Trust, and aims to increase understanding of how important it is for children and young people to develop good communication skills.
Each month of the National Year of Communication has a theme which focuses on a particuar aspect of communication. We have been working with the support service Cenmac to create inclusive Widgit Symbol resources to support each of these monthly themes.
Much of the information contained within each of the 101 Ideas will have corresponding free downloadable resources, as well as tutorials on how to make them yourself! All of these downloads will be available on this web page.
Look out for these two icons in each of the 101 ideas:
Free resources and examples
Free ‘do it yourself’ tutorials
Show learners a symbol image relating to a conversation or lesson theme, and challenge them to spell and type the corresponding word. Choose the level of support from the many options available.
Download the Ancient Greeks vocabulary activity
FK3 greeks vocabulary.exe
Download the Quick Guide
FK3 greeks vocabulary quickguide.pdf
Try First Keys 3 for yourself!
Download a FREE 21-day trial of First Keys 3
Use symbols and clipart to create scenes which allow learners to express understanding of a concept. Add items to a background to depict a situation or event which discussion can be centred around. Learners can point at or circle the answers.
Download the example as part of a Fire Safety pack
CIP fire safety comprehension.exe
Download the Quick Guide
CIP fire safety comprehension quickguide.pdf
Involve learners in expressing choice and organising events, regardless of their level of reading or communication ability. Presenting prepared symbol-supported choices allows participants to make a selection and drag it to the map to link it up. Creating a visual organiser has never been so easy!
Download the Planning Template
CI planning a party.zip
Download the Quick Guide
CI planning a party quickguide.pdf
Get everyone involved in creating a shopping list with an interactive writing environment. With a click of a button, learners can register what is needed, print it out and be on their way!
Download the shopping list template environment and finished activity
CSW shopping list.exe
Download the Quick Guide
CSW shopping list quickguide.pdf
Try it for yourself!
Download a FREE 21-day trial of Communicate: SymWriter
Selecting from a field of choices, learners of all ages can communicate what they plan to do throughout the course of a day and then print it as a visual reference for themselves or those supporting them.
Use the switch setting for individuals with accessibility difficulties or use an interactive white board for group work.
Download the ‘Daily Planner to Support Adults’ activity
CBC planning a day.exe
Download the Quick Guide
CBC planning a day quickguide.pdf
Schools and learning establishments looking for a professional and durable signage system can utilise Widgit’s set of 25 signage tiles. Giving clear and consistent indicators for those who struggle to read or are new to the English language, these ready-to-install signs make an environment that is communication friendly.
Bespoke symbol signs are also available.
More information on Signage Tiles
Widgit Symbols can be used in inclusive online learning platforms to provide symbol summaries for learners who struggle to read text.
Widgit Symbols are available to use in these learning platforms:
More details about using Widgit online tools can be found at:
http://www.widgit.com/products/index.htm#online
Help struggling readers and speakers of other languages to navigate a website by using key symbols as icons and links. Using symbols to support text ensures that everyone can understand the website’s information!
Visit www.checkthemap.org for a great example of symbols being used in this way!
Contact our Accessible Services Team for more information, by emailing: symbolservices@widgit.com
