Technology integration in the learning environment is optimal for all students, but especially those who require extra aids. An assistive technology that I have further explored is voice recognition software. I hope this information will help you to become more familiar with this technology. After researching this software, I know that I will be advocating for it in my future classroom.
“With the advances of voice recognition technology, students with learning disabilities are now able to become more independent as writers, readers, and learners.” -www.landmark.edu/institute/assistive_technology/voice_recognition.html
What it is: Voice recognition software is essentially speech-to-text, as well as text-to speech; it enables people to talk aloud and have those words dictated directly onto the computer. Although it was formally mostly seen in the health care system, it is commonly being implemented in the learning environment. Voice recognition is trained to recognize the specific user’s voice and then transcribes what the person says aloud into an electronic computer document.
Who it Can Help: These programs are suitable for speakers of any age and any language. It aids people with fine-motor difficulties, poor spellers, penmanship problems and other learning disabilities. It can also assist English Language Learners and people who cannot read. Ultimately, it can be useful for anyone from children who have motor constraints to those that would just enjoy listening to lengthy documents.
Classroom Implementation: Students can use this program to turn oral language into written text and vice-versa, make commandments to computer and have text read aloud. This can be useful for taking notes, writing papers, reading documents and directions and even during tests.
Pros:
Multi language capability
Independence for users who cannot read or write without assistance
Both Windows and Macs have this system already included
Spells every word correctly
Compatible with e-mail, desktop, documents and other applications
Can record and recognize up to 100 words per minute
Reads text back to user
Can transcribe large amounts of words and text
Eliminates poor spelling and penmanship
Cons:
Not always appropriate to use in a classroom
Software must be trained to individuals voice
Uses lots of memory on hard drive
Does not recognize homonyms
User must say desired punctuation
Must speak directly into microphone, cannot mumble
Some more advanced programs can be expensive
Software:
Dragon Speech Recognition, ViaVoice, Linux, Windows Speech Recognition, MacSpeech Dictate, as well as many more.
Video Examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYu6_cNRCD4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8wOHfjemWI&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBxWSxVi5_8&feature=related
Testimonials:
http://www.consumersearch.com/voice-recognition-software
References:
http://www.landmark.edu/institute/assistive_technology/voice_recognition.html
Technology is an ever-evolving resource and the education system should take advantage of this. Integration of technology in the classroom can be universally helpful for learners of all types. In the past, technology integration was focused more for students with exceptionalities who needed extra assistance. Today, technology integration can be tailored to enhance learning for students of any ability. In my teaching, I plan on making my students comfortable with many different technologies, such as Blogging, Google Earth, and Wikispaces; these and other technologies will help my students succeed in many different aspects of education.
lesson plan 1
I researched the online digital storytelling program, Capzels, a program that allows you to easily create time lines while embedding your own pictures, music, videos, and other documents. This program is very versatile and would work great for any age and any subject. It's free to join and is easily shared.
For this lesson, I plan on having students create a presentation with Capzels. The specific subject area that I have created this lesson plan for is social studies. I will assign each student a state that they have to research. For younger students, I would have them just put together a photo set about this state and for older students I would expect them to include important information that highlights this state and photos.
Here is an example of the state of Georgia.
lesson plan 2
In my experience, both as a student as well as a future teacher, children enjoy writing and telling stories. Publishing their stories is the next step. This can be a burden to the school who has to buy the materials and bind the pages. Tikatok has found a solution to this problem. This program allows children to “write your story, add pictures, and order your book.” This is a great resource for educators because the site allows teachers to register their class for free.
For my lesson, I will have students go through the writing process and make their own book. First, I will have students come up with an idea for a story through prewriting. Next, I will have them record their story in the writing phase. After that, they will revise and then edit. I will also have each student create illustrations on paper and then I will scan each picture onto the computer and upload them to add to their story. Last, I will have them publish this story on Tikatok. If they so choose, parents can purchase their child’s book and have it shipped to them.
Here is an example story, “The Perfect Christmas Tree”.
I was excited after reading about Writer’s Workshops, because I see great examples of this in my placement. My CT heavily stresses the importance of reflection of a lesson or reading through composition. After lunch, each student takes out a book and reads silently for forty-five minutes. During this time, they are actively engaging in the text by writing down words they are not familiar with. After reading, they each use a dictionary and look up this unknown word and then write down the definition in their own words. To go beyond this, they also use the word in a sentence and record antonyms of the word. Once they finish this task, each student takes out their notebook and writes a reflection about what they have just finished reading. After recording their thoughts, students share their writings with their peers in groups. This not only holds them accountable to write well, but it also gets students to help and learn from one another. Sometimes, my CT will ask random students to share with the entire class.
Another way my CT used Writer’s Workshops in her class was by having each child create their own printed book. This was a long process that I was glad to be a part of. To begin, students brainstormed what they could write a great story about. After they chose an idea, they drafted it. The students then shared their stories with their peers in groups to get more ideas from each other for revisions. Once my CT and I checked them all over and had them edit, we gave the students different paper for them to re-write their stories and add pictures. My CT then had them sent away to be made into real books that each child could take home. They loved that they could create ‘real books’ as they called them. Each of their books will be shared with their parents at conferences. I think that Writer’s Workshops and sharing go hand-in-hand.
3rd Grade Lesson Plan
Lesson Topic: Comprehension with Informational Texts
GLCEs:
R.IT.03.01 identify and describe the basic elements, features, and purpose of a variety of informational genre including textbooks, encyclopedias, and magazines.
R.IT.03.03 explain how authors use text features including titles, headings and subheadings, timelines, prefaces, indices, and table of contents to enhance the understanding of key and supporting ideas.
L.RP.03.01 listen to or view knowledgeably and discuss a variety of genre and compare their responses to those of their peers.
Objectives: Students will be able to improve their reading comprehension through the informational text, All About Sharks, by learning about the features of the genre and purpose of informational texts. They will be able to identify these key informational text features on their own.
Materials:
All About Sharks by Jim Arnosky
Chart Paper
Pencil
A variety of other informational texts
Introduction:
I will have the class sit in their desks so while they are listening to me read. I chose informational text because this class isn’t very familiar with the genre, which is important.
“Hello Students, today we are going to read a book together while thinking about why the author wrote it that way.”
To introduce the lesson topic, I will first activate background knowledge by asking the students what they know about informational texts. I will then ask them what they already know about sharks.
“Informational texts are books that present real-life things and facts. Can anyone think of any informational texts? Well, we’re going to read one today and we’ll figure out what makes it an informational text.”
(5 minutes)
Outline of key events:
I will explain the features of an informational text by writing down the main parts of it on chart paper. This will help the children visualize this new idea.
I will be sure to point out the them how the headings and titles on the pages help readers know what’s going on.
I will also be sure to show them how pictures and captions are important for our understanding of the text.
I will then read the text to the class.
After reading, we will discuss how keeping in mind these informational text features helps us to become better readers.
At this point, I will pass out a variety of informational texts to the different groups of students.
I will walk around the room to answer questions and observe.
Each group will be write down the main informational text features of their book.
(30 minutes)
Bringing Closure:
Once all of the groups are finished with their written features of their informational texts, I will talk about why being comfortable with various genres is important for everyone. We will all discuss the different books I have passed out and summarize these texts for the class.
(5 minutes)
Post Assessment:
I will collect and look over their papers. This is an easy way for me to evaluate if my class has a solid grasp on this new concept.
(2 minutes)
