There is a built-in feature that comes with JAWS that allows you to connect your computer to your students’ computer over the internet and allows you to hear JAWS through your computer speakers. This feature also allows you to interact with your students’ computer using either JAWS keystrokes or the mouse.
I have found it quite useful because even if I can guide students through sharing their screens with me when using Zoom, I often cannot hear JAWS very well.
I’m attaching directions that go step-by-step and describe what you need to have the student do on their computer and what you need to do on your computer as well.
Note: you do not have to be running a full version of JAWS. You can run a demo on your computer, but the important part is that both you and your student need to be running the same version. Instructions on determining the student’s version of JAWS are included in the document.
Using JAWS Tandem with Students
If you have a JAWS student and you would like to be able to observe what they are doing on their computer with JAWS or assist them with your mouse or keystrokes, you can utilize a built into JAWS feature called JAWS Tandem.
There are two parts to JAWS Tandem, the one sending the meeting code and the one receiving the meeting code.
In order to connect your computer to your students’ computer, you would need to send the meeting code and they would be receiving it.
An important note: in order to perform JAWS Tandem, both the one receiving the code as well as the one sending the code must be using the same version of JAWS.
Determine the JAWS Version
In order for the student to determine their version of JAWS have them do the following:
Press alt-tab until they hear the computer say “JAWS”. This means that they are in the JAWS window. They could also try insert J or caps lock J.
Have them press the up arrow. JAWS will read what version they are using. For example: “JAWS 2020.”
If your student is running JAWS from their system tray, I have found it easiest to navigate to their JAWS icon on the desktop. Windows D or Windows M then the letter J until the computer says “Jaws”. The icon should say what version of jaws they have.
If it does not, they can press enter on that icon which will bring up the menu in the system tray, have them press the up arrow until they hear about and press enter.
The window will begin reading but unless they catch it quickly, it’s not easy to read the version. The easiest way to do this is to have them press alt insert w or alt caps lock w. This will display the box in a window that they can read with jaws reading commands.
If you and the student do not have the same version of jaws, this will not work. I download a demo of their version if I am able to install software.
To Initiate a meeting with a Student
To initiate a meeting with the student do the following:
On the student computer:
Have the student press alt insert t or alt caps lock t.
This will bring up a box and say “allow access to my computer.” This is simply a box that has an edit field and jaws puts them automatically in this edit box.
You are going to have them type a code into this box and press enter.
On your computer:
Click on the jaws icon. Once the window comes up, go to Utilities > JAWS Tandem >Tandem Center > Get Access to a computer.
The box that opens has a checkbox that you will need to check. It’s called “Enable video.” Doing so will allow you to see the child’s computer screen.
Next click on the “Get Access” button. This opens another box and displays the meeting ID.
The letters are displayed as capital letters but the student does not need to type them as such. They simply need to type the letters and numbers and press enter.
JAWS will make a sound and you will be able to see the child’s screen but also hear JAWS speaking through your speakers.
Useful Keystrokes to Know
Insert alt T or Caps Lock alt T: In-addition to allowing access to the computer, the keystroke can also close the JAWS Tandem session – this keystroke can be performed by either the one sending the code or receiving it.
Insert alt tab or caps lock alt tab – will navigate the one sending the meeting code away from the screen showing the other party’s computer. Pressing the same keystroke will return you to the view of the other party’s screen.
Control c for copy and control v for paste can be used between the computers of the one receiving the code and the one sending the code. This is useful when needing to copy error information or pasting a URL from your computer to the student’s computer. *Note, cannot copy or paste files.
The two videos below demonstrate using JAWS Tandem.