Boardmaker

Boardmaker is software for creating symbol based tools for learning and communication. The symbols used are simple drawing that can be modified according to use. Boardmaker can be used for making picture schedules, response boards, interactive stories, as well as communication tools. However, Boardmaker is, by far, not limited to these uses alone.

My first experience with Boardmaker was limited. As a para-pro I was never trained and actually used the software 3-4 times. Of those times I used it, a template was already set up and it was used strictly for making small picture icons to be used for communication. I only began using Boardmaker on my own a year ago and it still has been limited.

As I began to explore Boardmaker more in depth, I discovered very quickly the versatility of this product. By simply searching “Boardmaker templates” on Google I came across an array of already made templates I can use right away. Why re-invent the wheel, right? I also learned about other features of the software that are making life easier when making some of my own personalized classroom tools.

(Pros, cons, ideas, ah-ha moments…)
There have been some things I really like about the software and some things I dislike. I just learned about the symbolate button. I watched a tutorial on how to use it and tried it for myself. I am so excited to make recipe cards my students can use. I haven’t liked how un-user friendly it is. I have caught myself spending way more time on what should be a simple project than I should have.

Some other sites I discovered, besides the Mayer-Johnson site, were helpful as well. Here are a few:

http://www.ccs.k12.in.us/Hbm/ART/boardmaker_templates.htm This site has quite a few templates that are fairly universal. Many of the boards on this site were for behaviors, classroom procedures, transitioning, and schedules.

http://region2library.org/boardmaker.htm#vsr This site not only had pre-made templates but it also had other links to sites with templates. There was one site that I connected to that had big thumbnails of what the boards looked like which was convenient. I could look at them and decide whether or not it was a board I could use before downloading it.

I have Boardmaker V.6. I did some research on the differences between the version I have & use and the Boardmaker Plus! V.6 version. Two of the main differences that stuck out for me were the animation and sound features. The v.6 version does not have all the interactive features that Plus! has. Once I have mastered the version I have, I will want to upgrade. Until then I am finding that learning all new things I can do with what I have will keep me pretty busy for quite some time.

I recommend this product to teachers, speech therapists, and to parents and caregivers. This program can assist with lessons, communication, behavior prevention and modifications, and activities in daily lives. It is a pricy product but you get your money’s worth. It’s not a product that would collect dust on your shelf. I keep my disc in my computer at all times and access it very frequently.