AccessMaths 4.2

Using a computer to draw geometrical shapes is easy - providing you can manipulate a mouse. However, most of the popular drawing packages fail to address the needs of the student with limited physical abilities. AccessMaths provides a range of extra input options to give these students full and effective drawing facilities. Don't forget to check out the additional resources in the Quick Links box on the right - there's some great Key Stage 2 and 3 templates.

AccessMaths provides simple operation from the keyboard, mouse, trackerball or Concept Keyboard to give access to the tools and facilities necessary for the geometry components of Key Stages 2, 3 & 4 of the National Curriculum. Unlike other 'click and drag' drawing methods, the program approaches drawing tasks using geometrical principles. Shapes are constucted as if you were using a pencil, compass and ruler; you define reference points on the screen - the ends of lines, centre points of arcs - and AccessMaths automatically draws the shape. Onscreen help is available every step of the way via a Help panel, and there's an extensive set of help files.

It's switch-accessible too!

Switch users can operate AccessMaths through specialised SAW Selection Sets for AccessMaths (requires SAW, our free switch access utility software) or with The Grid 2 through the download that's available free from Sensory Software's site.

Drawing Tools

The drawing tools allow the swift and accurate construction of lines, squares, rectangles, circles, semi-circles, ellipses, triangles (equilateral, isosceles and scalene), polygons (regular and irregular), parallelograms arcs and pie charts, all of which may be annotated by arrows and text. There are three preset Toolbox configuration levels to suit different ability levels of use, and you can customise these by adding or deleting tools, or create completely new configurations. The drawing tools are complemented by a full set of editing facilities, including scale and rotation tools. You can create grids to work on, import a background image and create and edit text for annotating your drawings.

Measuring Tools

Three vital on-screen measuring tools - a ruler, protractor and set square - are provided and can be manipulated freely around the drawing area.

Activities

Three simple educational activities - an Abacus, Clock and Number Line - are included within AccessMaths to give younger students a friendly introduction to the world of mathematics. Images from all three can be pasted directly into the main program as part of the drawing or for printing.

Ease of use

YOU decide which tools and features appear on the screen, so that the appearance of AccessMaths matches the ability of the student. To help, we've included up a few different starting screens and settings (called Configurations) to get you going quickly.

Downloading and purchase

Download your 30-day demo by clicking the 'Download demo' menu item on the right.

If you decide that you want to continue to use AccessMaths, you'll need to purchase an unlocking key. Once you've registered with us, you can get an key by clicking the 'Buy a key online' menu item on the right. You'll then be taken to our online shopping pages to complete your purchase by credit or debit card.

You can view your unlocking keys anytime by logging into your account on this site.

Upgrade information

The current version of AccessMaths is 4.2.0.21.  If you have an earlier version of 4.2, just install the lastest trial version and your AccessMaths will be upgraded. You won't need to re-enter your product key.

Last updated: 02/01/08