A library of almost 10,000 Widgit Symbols is now included in Clicker Desktop and Clicker Writer as part of a Clicker subscription.

Widgit Symbols are used to support learning all over the world. We’re pleased to announce that you will now be able to use these symbols alongside the powerful scaffolds built into Clicker!

Symbols in interactive Word Banks

In many classrooms, teachers use Widgit Symbols to help pupils access complex vocabulary linked to their learning. We’re all familiar with the sight of pupils referring to teacher-made symbol sheets or looking over to a symbolised working wall as they write.

In Clicker, these symbols-supported vocabulary lists become interactive Word Banks. Pupils can click to add the word and symbol to their text, saving time copying vocabulary so pupils can focus on the construction of their texts. Of course, when using their Word Bank in Clicker, pupils can hear each word read aloud to them - using symbols alongside one of Clicker’s core support features.

The child here was writing a summary of the novel Street Child. To help, the teacher copied across the Victorians Widgit sheet to a Word Bank in Clicker.

Turning existing vocabulary lists into Clicker Sets with symbols couldn’t be easier. Copying lists across from planning documents into Clicker is a 1-minute job and adding symbols to the whole Clicker Set can be done in two further clicks. Alternatively, add symbols to one of the thousands of Word Banks already prepared on LearningGrids.

Here I’ve adapted the Natural Disasters Quick Words Set from LearningGrids.

Symbols to support sentence construction

Clicker users have long been using Sentence Sets as a scaffold to support pupils build up an understanding of a simple sentence. For some learners, picking a key concept to structure sentences around can be a great way to see success. Adding a familiar symbol to that concept gives pupils an extra scaffold when writing.

Here I have chosen a pre-made Clicker Set from LearningGrids and added the Widgit Symbol for favourite on each grid.

Easily adapt how many symbols you want to use

Clicker makes it easy to decide how much symbol support you want to use with your learners. We know that symbolising every word can be confusing for children. Simply click ‘ignore high frequency words’ when you are picturizing your Clicker Set.

On the left, every word is symbolised which is often not preferred by pupils.

On the right, I’ve symbolised the word ‘favourite’ - the concept the child has been working on - as well as the symbols for each sport.

Give pupils control of symbols

We’ve all seen how powerful symbols are when supporting pupils read texts in the classroom that we, as teachers, have prepared. With Picturize in Clicker, pupils can add Widgit Symbols to their own document where they choose. This gives pupils a scaffold they have chosen when reading back their text.

A child I worked with has a passion for animals. This was his main way of accessing writing. He’ll now be able to use Widgit Symbols in Clicker Writer.

Widgit Symbols in the Spell Checker and Predictor

Often go-to scaffolds for older Clicker users, the Predictor and sounds-alike spell checker (with speech feedback of course) can now include Widgit Symbols. Pupils can use these tools independently whenever they choose. For a child I worked with in year 6, the Predictor was his absolute favourite scaffold - he went from a reluctant to enthusiastic writer, listening to suggested words before adding to his text.

Picking the perfect scaffold

In Clicker, pupils can choose which scaffold to access and when. Each pupil will have their preferred tool, it could be text-to-speech, word prediction, Voice Notes or the sounds alike spell checker. Widgit Symbols in Clicker provide another tool for pupils and teachers to call upon to support writing.

How to update:

Clicker Writer

• Chromebook users - the app will update automatically
  
  
• iPad users - iPads with automatic updates turned on will see the new features instantly; if not, update Clicker Writer via the App Store.

Clicker Desktop

Visit Downloads - Crick Software UK. For standalone computers, simply run the installation package. For network deployments we recommend uninstalling first before re-deploying. Network installation instructions are here.