Wikki Stix
Manufactured by Omnicor, Inc.
Wikki Stix are reusable wax covered yarn sticks. They are similar to pipe cleaners but more flexible and no dangerous metal. The Wikki Stix are bendable, easily cut, and able to stick onto flat dry surfaces (ex. dry erase boards, desks, paper) and form letters, shapes, and lines.
5.95 one pack of Wikki Stix – 130.00 for 300 Stix
(5.50 for one board-92.00 for class pack)
Students needs:
Students with learning disabilities often have trouble writing letters and discriminating differences between them. The Wikki stix can be used use them to help form letters and learn the shape and orientation of each by touch. Visually impaired students can use the Wikki Stix as raised lined on diagrams, shapes, and pictures to be felt. They can also be used as line guides for those with trouble knowing where to start or stop writing.
Inclusion class:
Visual and Tactile learners with or without disabilities in the classroom will have the opportunity to use their preferred mode of learning to aid in understanding. Older students will benefit by using them as highlighters (i.e. to underline/circle concepts without permanent damage) in posters, charts, concept maps, and diagrams. All students can use them to create reusable pictures, patterns, designs, etc. For example, in a Science class students could create an electric current diagram with them and show a circuit being open or closed.
Recommendations:
I would strongly recommend use of Wikki stix. We use them at Sylvan and the kids really do enjoy them. It helps them focus on the shape of the letters (such as the difference between b and d), and even the older (high school aged) students are eager to try them out when they see the little guys using them.
I would also suggest that school planning on using them have a brief professional development session. During the session, the teachers should use the Wikki Stix as the students would to get a feel for the various activities possible. They should then have some time to strategize how they will integrate them into their particular class/subject.
Resources:
What is AT (Assistive Technology)?Types of Devices used as ATAT ProductsHow AT meets needsChoosing the right ATVendorsWkki Stix
2 comments:
Sharon, Wiki sticks sound like a really good idea, especially for students and teachers with immune system issues. This would include children or teachers taking steroids for asthsma or some other condition, undergoing chemotherapy, or infected with HIV. And, they sound like fun. I know our math coaches have been using geometry activities with sticks, I'll suggest these to them.
I have used wiki sticks in math; the students all loved them. They used it to create charts for math concepts and along with getting the concept accross they had fun been creative. Wiki sticks allow students to demonstrate their creative abilities in the process of learning useful concepts.
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