Teaching · Special Education

Stop losing the pointer,
and count the difference

Choose the platform to see where its pointer options live and how the locate feature works. Count how often the pointer gets lost in a ten-minute task before and after the change, mark each setup step, then note how real tasks went.

Start a setupWhat you get

Setups

The worked example is made up: a computer lab PC where tapping Ctrl to find the pointer cut losses from 9 to 2 in a ten-minute task, and a laptop where shaking to locate helped less. Use initials or a code, not names.

Loading the setup form. If nothing appears, turn on JavaScript.

What you get

Teaching · Special EducationFree

What you finish with
A setup record per person and device: how they find the pointer, trails, whether it hides while typing, and how many times it was lost in the same task before and after; eight steps marked done, to try or not needed; real tasks tried; and what to try next. The flags show where the options live on that platform, the locate feature and the change in losses as a percentage. A large-print setup card prints for the device.
Who it is for
Teachers of students with visual impairments, special education teachers, assistive technology staff, occupational therapists, families and students.
Format
Browser tool with a saved record per person and device. Prints a large-print setup card, the full record, every setup in a table or a blank form; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Special Education space in Caveat Teaching.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Count losses in a ten-minute task.
  2. Choose the platform and turn on a locate feature.
  3. Practice it until it is automatic.
  4. Count again with the same task.
  5. Print the setup card.

Start a setup

Where the pointer options live

Finding a lost pointer on four platformsWindows 11Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse> Additional mouse settings > PointerOptionsTick "Show location of pointer when Ipress the CTRL key", then tap Ctrl tosee a shrinking circle around itMacSystem Settings > Accessibility >Display > PointerTurn on "Shake mouse pointer tolocate": a quick wiggle makes thepointer grow for a momentiPadSettings > Accessibility > PointerControlTurn off Automatically Hide Pointer soit stays on screenChromebookSettings > Accessibility > Cursor andtouchpadTurn on "Highlight the mouse cursorwhen it’s moving"Finding a lost pointer on four platformsWindows 11Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse >Additional mouse settings > PointerOptionsTick "Show location of pointer when Ipress the CTRL key", then tap Ctrl to seea shrinking circle around itMacSystem Settings > Accessibility > Display> PointerTurn on "Shake mouse pointer to locate": aquick wiggle makes the pointer grow for amomentiPadSettings > Accessibility > Pointer ControlTurn off Automatically Hide Pointer so itstays on screenChromebookSettings > Accessibility > Cursor andtouchpadTurn on "Highlight the mouse cursor whenit’s moving"
Each platform has one quick way back to a lost pointer. The setup is not done until the person uses it without thinking.

Count before you change

Run the same ten-minute task twice: once as things are, once with the new setting, and count each time the person stops to hunt for the pointer. A drop from nine to two is clear; a drop from six to five says try size or color too.

Trails are a matter of taste

Pointer trails leave a line of ghost pointers behind the real one. Some people find the pointer faster; others find the flicker distracting or tiring. Keep them only if the count goes down.

Sources

  1. Microsoft Support. Make the mouse easier to use in Windows: Pointer Options (support.microsoft.com).
  2. Apple Support. Change Display settings for accessibility on Mac: Pointer (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help).
  3. Apple Support. Pointer Control settings on iPad (support.apple.com/guide/ipad).
  4. Chromebook Help. Turn on Chromebook accessibility features: Cursor and touchpad (support.google.com/chromebook).

The worked example is made up. Menu paths are from current versions of each platform in general terms and can change after an update. The before and after counts are one person’s informal trial, not a test. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.