What Are FluentPet HexTiles?
FluentPet’s HexTiles were designed to facilitate faster and more durable concept learning.
Why The Hextile Design
Designed with Learning Science in Mind
Scientists still don’t fully understand how we remember where things are. On top of that, everyone learns and remembers things differently. That’s why we designed our sound boards with two main goals:
Provide As Many Cues As Possible
HexTiles and buttons are designed with distinct icons, colors, and shapes to help dogs & cats easily recognize and remember their placement and orientation.
Embrace the Uncertainty
Since there was no proven way for animals to use a communication system, we designed HexTiles to be flexible—easy to expand, rearrange, and customize—so each learner and their human can discover what works best.
Alexis Devine On
What's the Deal with HexTiles?
Inspired By The Fitzgerald Key
Organizing Words by Categories
Organizing words by category on different tiles was inspired by the Fitzgerald Key, a proven method in AAC that supports learning through four key theories.
EASY RECOGNITION
Visual Cues and Memory
Color-coding different concepts provides visual cues that help learners quickly recognize and categorize words. This visual differentiation aids memory retention and retrieval, making it easier for learners to construct sentences.
EASIER TO UNDERSTAND
Cognitive Load Reduction
By assigning specific colors to different concepts, it reduces the cognitive load on learners. This allows them to focus more on the content of their communication, rather than the complexity of language construction. Simplifying the process of finding and using words can be especially beneficial for individuals with cognitive impairments or language processing difficulties.
REINFORCED LEARNING
Consistency and Predictability
Consistent use of color-coding across different contexts and AAC devices creates a predictable system that learners can rely on. This consistency helps reinforce learning and makes it easier for learners to generalize their communication skills across different settings and situations.
INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATION
Error Reduction and Self-Correction
The visual nature of the Fitzgerald Key allows learners to self-correct more effectively. When learners see the color-coding, they can recognize and correct errors on their own, fostering greater independence in communication.
Button Arrangements As A Visual Cue
Up to 63 Button Arrangements for Visual Learning Cues
Combined with color and location, HexTiles provide a rich set of spatial cues designed to maximize learnability.
Endless Possibilities with Just One HexTile
A single HexTile allows for up to 63 different button layouts. This flexibility supports learning by making it easier to group related words, highlight patterns, and adjust setups as vocabulary grows.
Shop FluentPet HexTiles
Built for Amazing Conversation & Backed by a Science-Inspired Community
