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Third Party Software

Last Update 12 days ago

Boardmaker 7 Clicker Grid 3 Look to Learn Look to Read

Clicker

by Crick Software

Adam

Last Update 12 days ago

Article contents

  1. Overview
  2. Who's it for?
  3. System requirements
  4. Clicker vs Clicker Apps - what’s the difference?
  5. Subscriptions explained
  6. Home access to Clicker
  7. Getting started video - Clicker (Windows and Mac)
  8. Getting started video - Clicker Apps (iPad and Chromebook)
  9. Symbols
  10. Access methods
  11. Saving and sharing work
  12. LearningGrids resources
  13. Tutorials and information pages
  14. Download links
  15. Technical support and troubleshooting

1. Overview

Clicker is a writing tool designed to remove barriers to writing. It supports learners by breaking writing into manageable steps and providing visual and auditory support.

It is used across early years, primary, and secondary settings, and is suitable for whole-class use as well as targeted SEND support.

2. Who's it for?

Clicker is helpful for:
  • Learners who struggle with spelling, writing, or organisation
  • Pupils with SEND, including dyslexia and motor difficulties
  • Teachers and TAs supporting writing across the curriculum
  • Schools looking for consistent writing support across devices

3. System requirements

Windows and Mac
  • Windows: Windows 11
  • Mac: macOS Sequoia (15) or newer
iPad and Chromebook
  • iPad: iPadOS 17 or newer
  • Chromebook: Chrome OS 86 or newer
    • Google Drive must be enabled

4. Clicker vs Clicker Apps - what’s the difference?

Both versions include Clicker’s core features:
  • Child-friendly word processor
  • Speech feedback
  • Word prediction
  • Voice Notes
  • Picture support
  • Mind-mapping tools
  • Sentence Sets, Connect Sets, and Word Banks
Windows/Mac only features:
  • Cloze activities
  • Matching activities

5. Subscriptions explained

How subscriptions work
You can use Clicker across different device types:
  • Install Clicker on Windows/Mac computers
  • Download Clicker Apps on iPads and Chromebooks
Licensing
  • Windows/Mac and iPad: per device
  • Chromebook apps: per user
  • All subscriptions last three years
Staff licences
  • Staff licences are already included
  • Flexi-subscriptions cover all staff devices
  • One-to-One subscriptions include a licence for the pupil and one supporting adult
When does the subscription start?
  • You can activate within the first month after registration
  • If not activated, it starts automatically after one month
Moving licences
Licences can be transferred between devices using the Subscription Management system.
Types of subscription
Flexi-subscription
  • Install Clicker on all school computers
  • Use Clicker Apps on all iPads and/or Chromebooks
  • Includes home access for pupils and staff
One-to-One Support subscription
  • One licence for the pupil
  • One companion licence for a supporting adult
  • Mix and match Windows/Mac and iPad/Chromebook as needed
Pricing & purchasing
  • Purchase Orders (POs) are accepted
  • No extra cost for updates or technical support
  • Subscriptions are three years (not one year)
  • Three-part annual payment option is available
  • Trust-wide pricing is available on request
  • Subscriptions are per school (not shared across federations)

Renewals

  • Renewals add three years onto your current end date
  • Early renewal discounts are available
  • Subscriptions will auto-renew unless you contact Crick Software
  • Renewal reminders are sent around 6 months before expiry
If your subscription manager has changed, contact support with:
  • Organisation name and postcode
  • Name and Google address / Apple ID of the new manager

6. Home access to Clicker

Flexi-subscription home use
Home licences are shared using the Subscription Management system. Home access can be:
  • Windows or Mac computers
  • iPads or Chromebooks (even if school uses Windows only)
Parent home subscription
Parents can purchase a discounted home version:
  • Up to two installations
  • Any mix of computer or app versions

7. Getting started video - Clicker (Windows and Mac)

 

8. Getting started video - Clicker Apps (iPad and Chromebook)

 

9. Symbols

Clicker includes a selection of 10,000 Widgit Symbols as standard, but if you require a wider range of symbols, additional sets can be purchased:

Widgit Symbol Set: the full Widgit Symbol Set consists of over 20,000 colourful, simply-drawn symbols, which each illustrate a single concept.

Mayer-Johnson PCS Symbol Set: the Mayer-Johnson PCS Symbol Set is widely used in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as well as for literacy support. The set comprises over 7000 colour symbols designed to represent words and short phrases to support children and adults with communication challenges.


SymbolStix: SymbolStix depicts activities and people as lively, vibrant stick figures, drawn with a distinctive flair to create “stick figures with an attitude”. The set consists of approximately 23,000 symbols.

 

10. Access methods

Clicker is designed so that children and young people can take part in learning in a way that works for them. It supports a wide range of access methods, so pupils can read, write and interact with activities even if they cannot use a standard keyboard or mouse.

Eye gaze access

Clicker includes built-in eye gaze support and works with a wide range of eye gaze systems, including Tobii and eyetuitive.

Eye gaze users can:
  • Write and edit text
  • Turn pages in books
  • Select cells and buttons
  • Use most Clicker activities in the same way as a mouse user

Clicker gives clear visual feedback when using eye gaze. During a dwell (looking to select), the pointer stays locked onto the cell, so it does not drift or wobble unless the user looks completely away.

You can personalise eye gaze access by:
  • Adjusting the dwell time
  • Using larger target areas
  • Turning on SuperKeys to reduce accuracy demands
Switch access
Clicker is widely used by pupils who rely on switches for access.

Using one or two switches, learners can:
  • Take part in writing activities
  • Access reading and pre-reading resources
  • Work at the same level as their peers, using the same software
Switches connect via a Crick USB Switch Box. Once connected, you can select switch access in Clicker and begin straight away.

Clicker’s accessibility settings allow you to tailor access for individual needs, including:
  • A wide range of scanning styles
  • Auditory (spoken) scanning options
On-screen keyboard
Clicker’s on-screen keyboard is always available and can be used instead of a physical keyboard. It offers:
  • Three layouts: QWERTY, alphabetical, or frequency-based
  • Optional colour grouping, with keys grouped into six colours
If word prediction is turned on, predicted words automatically appear above the keyboard for easy access.

The on-screen keyboard works with:
  • Mouse or touch
  • Eye gaze
  • Switch access
You can move easily between the keyboard and Clicker grids at any time.

SuperKeys

SuperKeys is designed for learners with fine motor control difficulties. Instead of selecting from 30+ small keys, SuperKeys uses:
  • Just six large key groups
The learner:
  1. Selects the group that contains the letter they want
  2. Then selects the letter from the enlarged group
This reduces accuracy demands while still allowing full access to writing.

Visual and auditory adjustments
Clicker can be customised to support learners with visual or sensory needs. You can:
  • Change colour schemes
  • Choose fonts and font sizes
  • Select the most suitable voice
You can also control what Clicker reads aloud automatically, such as:
  • Each sentence
  • Each word
  • Individual letters
This helps tailor feedback to the learner’s reading and listening needs.

11. Saving and sharing work

Clicker works with common platforms such as:
  • Google Drive
  • OneDrive
  • Google Classroom
  • Dropbox
  • Email
Files are compatible across platforms:
  • Writing grids, documents, and boards
  • Clicker Books
  • Clicker Talk activities

12. LearningGrids resources

From the Quick Start menu, choose LearningGrids to access ready-made resources. These resources can be viewed on the Crick LearningHub.


13. Tutorials and information pages

14. Download links

Download links for all current versions of Clickers, including voices and training guides can be found on the crick website, here.

15. Technical support and troubleshooting

A wealth of support information can be found on the Crick website, here.

 
 
If any part of this article was unclear, or you think there is something missing (e.g. extra steps, examples or images), let us know and we'll update the article:
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