Clicker vs Classroom Suite

[pshogg]

Can anyone tell me the differences between Clicker and Classroom Suite as far as supporting literacy and other academics? They seem to be similar.  Is one easier to use, less expensive...????

Thanks!
Pam

[Jerry]

Hi Pam,

That is a great question.  They are similar in the type of needs that they address but the programs themselves differ in the manner that you create activities for students. First the similarities:

Excellent text-to-speech and picture supports
Adaptive switch access
Capability to import recorded sound and video
Free activity exchange libraries on the company websites
On-screen keyboards and word banks

Basically, they are both full-featured multimedia authoring and student activity environments.  But how you create activities differs.  I find Clicker to be easier - although, with the new version of Classroom Suite (v.4), they did a nice job of simplifying the user interface. But there is more to the Cl. Suite and thus there is a layer of complexity there that the user can explore or choose to ignore.  I think the learning curve is a little steeper on Cl. Suite.  However, both include built-in activities that are ready to use, templates for easily creating new activities and the web resources mentioned above.

Differences:

Cl. Suite has an amazing math manipulatives section (previously called IntelliMathics)
Cl. suite includes tools for creating animations
Cl. Suite includes incredible teacher data management tools for tracking student progress, assigning work and setting features for individual students and classes

Pricing:

Clicker 5: $229 single copy - $449 5 pack and $ 40 for each additional copy beyond 5 per building
Classroom Suite:  $345 single copy - $1,475 5 pack

One of the best ways to compare the products is to participate in our webinar overviews of the programs.  Check our website in the fall for a listing of webinar dates for Clicker and Cl. Suite.
Jerry Connolly

[Julie]

I agree that both are incredible and flexible programs and wanted to add a few more thoughts. If you are using the program with several students, the data monitoring on Classroom Suite is definitely a plus. Classroom Suite also has a sequence of ready-made templates/activities in curriculum areas  (early learning, reading writing, math) that are ready to go which is great for people new to the program and/or who don't have time to make or individualize programs. Another plus is that Caroline Musselwhite and Linda Burkhart both have inexpensive software you can purchase that runs in Classroom Suite. On the down side, I've had issues with switch use in the past with Intellitools programs, though I've heard that using the Intelliswitch simplifies this.

I like Clicker for the extreme ease of changing ready-made activities. You can set up a program and just show a teacher/Ed Assistant how to make simple changes to individualize the program for that day or activity without overwhelming them. I love the Clicker voices, and I love the way you can easily click and drag photos, videos, and sounds into your program from the internet. The Cricksoft switch interface works pretty seamlessly with Clicker and costs significantly less than the Intelliswitch. I also find Clicker to be more intuitive.

I would love to hear from others on this. I'm starting to think that for early learning, very low cognitive, visually impaired, and classrooms that need data recorded, Classroom Suite may be the way to go. For working with students with autism, mental retardation, or for general education students, I prefer Clicker. What have others found?