Name of the technology:
→Franklin Talking Spanish-English Student Dictionary
Category of AT:
→Reading: Reading comprehension & vocabulary
→Writing: Productivity through text & auditory feedback
→Writing: Spelling, conventions & word choice
Description of how the technology works:
→After flipping open the red cover and turning this technology on, students are able to use the keyboard to type in a word in Spanish. After clicking enter, this tool will translate the word in English, give the definition of the word, and produce the sound of the word.
Which of the Universal Design for Learning principles listed below might be facilitated by this technology? Explain how.
→Representation of information - make content available and comprehensible to students using a variety of modes.
→Through this technology, students can achieve this universal design for learning principles. Since this technology is a digital dictionary, it will guide students to comprehend vocabulary when learning. The variety of modes can be seeing the word in Spanish and English, reading the definition, hearing the pronunciation of the word, and using their new vocabulary through games programmed in this AT.
What types or groups of students might benefit from the use of this technology? For what learning goals might it be most effective?
→Types or groups of students that would benefit most from this technology are ELL students who speak Spanish as their first language. Learning goal for this group of students can be extending their vocabulary, spelling and grammar, and application of their learning of English in the classroom.
Do you have any concerns or reservations about this technology?
Some concerns regarding this AT are:
→students playing the games programmed on this AT during lessons
→the speaking function on this AT may be distracting to other students
→depending on school districts, this AT can be too expensive to purchase, along with maintaining 4 batteries per one dictionary
Any other comments, suggestions, or recommendations you might make to a teacher contemplating the use of this assistive technology?
→From experience, I believe this tool is amazing for students speaking Spanish as their first language and learning English. When students first start learning English, it’s hard to find words in the dictionary. However, this technology piece helps the student to find the letters easily and find the definition. It encourages the student to independently learn and gives teachers the time to work with other students.
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ReplyDeleteHanna,
ReplyDeleteWow, your AT sounds so helpful! It has so many different functions that can assist English language learners! From your post, this is definitely something I would be interested in getting for my classroom.
Your suggestions and concerns are very thoughtful. I hadn't even thought about how expensive multiple dictionaries may be or how they may be distracting to other students. Also, you bring up a great point when you say that regular dictionaries are hard to use when you do not speak English as your first language. This tool seems to make finding translations (and understanding them!) accessible, quick, and easy. The ability to type in the word in Spanish first instead of English makes it incredibly user friendly and really gives students access to the reading and vocabulary of the curriculum.
Thanks for sharing with me! :)
-Gracie
Hanna,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy this AT and hope to be able to use it not only for the Spanish to English to Spanish when it comes to my trip to Mexico for this summer. I enjoy how you have brought up the positive aspects along with a few negative aspects to this AT. The games on the device could be very beneficial to a child's learning however it can also be a distraction. You write up was very easy to read and I enjoyed the very to the point way of laying out the objectives.
Good job!
Erin