Inclusive Support Hub | Exploring and Playing

All Categories

Eye Gaze Support

Exploring and Playing

by Inclusive Technology

Adam

Last Update 16 days ago

Article contents

Overview
Who's it for?
Getting started
Understanding the three sections
Options and adjustments
Multiplayer and turn taking
Observation and analysis tools
System requirements
Downloads and documentation
Useful support articles

1. Overview

Exploring and Playing is a set of 18 motivating eye‑gaze activities designed to help learners move from simple cause‑and‑effect interaction to early choice making and turn‑taking. It is part of the Inclusive EyeGaze learning progression and is commonly used in classrooms, therapy sessions, and at home.

Each activity is designed to build specific access skills, such as:

Looking at targets on screen
Holding gaze to make a selection (dwell)
Moving gaze between targets
Making choices
Taking turns with another person

Activities are grouped into three clear sections:

Take Turns
Explore
Choose Anything

The installer includes a free two-week trial.

2. Who's it for?

Exploring and Playing is suitable for:

Eye‑gaze learners at an early or developing stage
Children and young people with physical disabilities
Learners who need structured, motivating access practice
Teachers, therapists, and teaching assistants supporting eye‑gaze use

It can be used:

One‑to‑one or in small groups
Independently or with adult support
For assessment, skill‑building, or free exploration

3. Getting started

Launch Exploring and Playing.
Choose one of the three sections:
- Take Turns
- Explore
- Choose Anything
Select an activity.
Open Options if you need to adjust dwell time, difficulty, or choices.
Encourage the learner to look at targets and explore.

Tip: If you are unsure where to begin, try the first activity in each section and observe how the learner responds.

4. Understanding the three sections

Take Turns
This section introduces shared play and simple rules. Learners practise:

Choosing between 2–3 targets
Holding gaze to select
Sequencing actions
Turn‑taking with another player

Activities include building robots, chopping wood, playground games, and simple card games.
Second players can use a keyboard or switch (for example Space or Enter).

Explore
This section focuses on active looking and early control. Learners practise:

Exploring different areas of the screen
Mouse rollover (no selection required)
Dwell select and dwell on/off
Visual scanning and attention

Activities include kitchens, machines, driving vehicles, life cycles, and drag‑and‑drop food games.

Choose Anything

This section supports early choice making in an error‑free way. Learners practise:

Scanning multiple options
Making choices
Showing preferences
Tracking moving items

Activities include discos, decorating rooms, choosing drinks, splatting moving characters, and personalised music jukeboxes.

5. Options and adjustments

Each activity includes an Options menu. Common options include:

Dwell time – make selection easier or harder
Mouse visibility – hide or show the cursor
Difficulty levels – where available
Number of targets – reduce visual load
Characters, scenes, or items – tailor to interests

Tip: Start with fewer targets and longer dwell times, then adjust gradually.

6. Multiplayer and turn‑taking

Some activities allow two or three players.

One player uses eye gaze
Other players use a keyboard or switches

You can choose:

Which objects each player controls
Which keys or switches are used

This is useful for teaching:

Waiting
Shared attention
Social interaction

7. Observation and analysis tools

Exploring and Playing includes built‑in analysis tools to help you understand how the learner is using eye gaze.
Available tools include:

Video playback – replay gaze behaviour during activities
Heat maps – see where the learner looked most
Line traces – view gaze movement paths
Summary reports – saved as image files

These tools are helpful for assessment, progress tracking, and review with colleagues.

8. System requirements

Compatible with: Windows: 7 / 8 / 10 / 11
Activation key delivered by email.
An active internet is connection required for installation/activation.

9. Downloads and documentation

Important - make sure you download the correct installer for your activation key. Each version of the software has its own set of activation keys (e.g. you cannot use an English activation key with the French version of the software).

10. Useful support articles

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:
Support article feedback form

Was this article helpful?

0 out of 0 liked this article

Still need help? Message Us