TSBVI Technology Institute

Ten Tips to Making JFW 4.5 More Efficient

Read the Help Files to learn how to make Jaws more effective. Use the keyboard shortcuts in Jaws, Windows, and supported applications. (you can print the help files)
Learn how to use the configuration manager to decide when and how much Jaws speaks in Windows and supported applications.
See, http://www.tsbvi.edu/technology/jawsconfig.htm to see a sample Jaws configuration.
Teach only the keyboard shortcuts, as they are needed in applications. Example: A Lesson on Composing an Email Offline. The student would need the shortcuts on how to open MS Word, NotePad, or WordPad. The student would also need to learn the shortcuts to read and edit their document. Lastly, the student would need the shortcuts for saving the file to the hard drive or diskette.
Make lessons motivating and necessary to the student. Most students already use a notetaker for their word processing needs, teaching MS Word to word process might not be very motivating. However, all students need the use of the Internet for research and personal entertainment, so that might be a better place to start computer lessons. It is important to remember that all lessons will involve computer navigation, opening and closing applications, and accessing on screen text.
Computer problems will arise, it is important to teach students how to effectively solve their problems.
It is imperative to check the http://www.hj.com/JAWS/JAWS.html website periodically for updates and bug fixes to JFW. At first it will be necessary for the teacher to check, over time this is a skill the student should possess.
Computers, whether desktop or laptop, need maintenance. Teachers must teach the student to use the system tools available on all computers. Disk cleanup, Scandisk, and Disk defragmenter should be used on a monthly schedule or when needed for frequent computer lock ups.
The student will need reasonable goals and objectives concerning computer usage. The computer is not the only device or strategies the teacher is working on, therefore it is important to set reasonable goals of how often the student will work with the computer.
Most schools now have local computer specialists. Make sure you meet them and demonstrate how the student's computer is the same as the other computers at school with the exception of the Jaws application. They will be able to support the student with maintenance and common problems with the computer.
If you are a sighted teacher working with Jaws, it is imperative that you practice with a computer using Jaws without the mouse. When you are not there, the student cannot simply click the mouse if they do not remember the keyboard shortcut. Practice 10 to 15 minutes a day without the mouse will enable you to learn the keyboard shortcuts necessary to teach your lessons.

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Last Revision: October 29, 2002