Clicker and Widgit Symbols
Choosing the Right Support for Literacy Goals
When supporting beginning readers and writers, the goal of the activity should guide your choice of supports. For learners who are learning to read and write, the focus must remain on the text. Research shows that pairing symbols with connected text at this stage can interfere with literacy progress.
When Symbols Make a Difference
Once learners are reading to learn and writing to learn across the curriculum, symbols become powerful tools. They help students understand new vocabulary and promote independence.
A library of almost 10,000 Widgit Symbols is now included in Clicker as part of a Clicker subscription.
Clicker transforms vocabulary lists into interactive Word Banks, that support learners while writing across curriculum. This saves time and keeps the focus on showing their understanding through writing. Built-in speech support also reads each word aloud, combining visual symbols with auditory reinforcement to support learning.
Quick and Easy Symbol-Supported Word Banks
Creating symbol-supported Clicker sets is simple. Pre-made Word Banks from Learning Grids can be “picturized” with a single click. For example, a plant-themed Word Bank supports writing tasks by pairing vocabulary with Widgit Symbols. Learning Grids offers word banks for creative writing, literature, math, science, history, geography, seasonal topics, and more.
Create Your Own in Seconds
Building custom word banks is just as easy. Copy and paste from your planning document, click to add symbols, and you’re ready to go. You can even turn a Clicker Board mind map into a word bank for vocabulary support.
Explore our growing collection of FREE educational resources designed to support learners, educators, and families. Here you’ll find activities for holidays such as Halloween and Christmas, as well as less commonly found materials, including resources for Terry Fox Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Bridges Canada and Widgit Online have partnered to develop Canadian symbols on the subject of history, georgraphy, culture, and notable people and places. All of these can now be used in Clicker.
CLICK HERE to browse FREE resources Clicker, MindExpress, Widgit Online, HelpKidzLean, and Grid 3.
Symbols Enhance Editing and Word Choice
Combine Widgit Symbols with built-in tools like word prediction and spell check. Activating Picturize for these features gives learners extra support when selecting tricky or easily confused words.
Symbols That Empower Learning
Widgit Symbols are bridges to understanding. Use them strategically. Keep text central for early literacy, and unlock their power for vocabulary and independence when learners are ready to read and write to learn.
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
For standalone computers, simply run the installation package. For network deployments we recommend uninstalling first before re-deploying.
Widgit Online
Widgit Online is the easy Canadian way to create and print visuals.
CLICK HERE for a free 21-day trial of Widgit Online.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.