Language and information technologies

Two communication obstacles

Language

Increasing number of immigrants in classrooms

Increasing difficulty to structure learning that fits all students

 

Learning impairments

Diverse population of learners in classroom-use technology to help

 

Communication tools for language learners

Imagine how exhausting it must be for students who don’t speak any English 

 

Language Technologies 

Teaching for ELL students

Think of the United Nations..use tech to accommodate various languages

Google Translate: Live transcribe function and Google Lense

App has lots of features-more than online

Reads out the translation-which is great for students who can’t read

Can see the sentences structures side by side

Can download a whole language so can do offline translation-now don’t need data

Can go into camera-click can’t keep pictures-then aim at text and will translate words over top

Could take a picture of worksheet-upload and translate to their language

Camera so can translate a sign when travelling for example

 

Google translate not perfect however, can be difficult in a noisy classroom,need to speak loud enough-slight pause in conversation as wait for app

Might be worth using a device that is strictly for Google Translate

Take into consideration what Google Translate does with info-can ask not to use pictures

 

PowerPoint

Subtitle language-if speak slow-will translate your words-but class has to be quiet and you have to speak very slowly-and they have to be literate

 

Record your slide-come up with other screen-talk into it-can draw on the slide-once recorded it-when hit play, will record your voice and the click-can’t use subtitles-but students learning the language with a fairly good grasp of english can take file home- go through more slowly and process

 

Powerpoint demonstration and access visibility

 

WT2 Translator: Redefine Translation

Wireless headphones that offer instant translation in real time

36 languages

84 accents

3 translation modes

$239 American for the headphones

Considerations-want children to be immersed as well- so wouldn’t want to use it for too long-maybe even just an hour a day for relief

 

Assistive Technologies

Technology for a specific purpose

Assistive tools have been around for a long time

Modern tech has made much more streamlined-less clunky

 

Touch Chat

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAc)

$400

How successful it is depends on the learner and EA using it

Some might be over stimulated

Doesn’t pause after speaking the phrase-so can get caught up hitting the same thing again and again-doesn’t acknowledge you spoke-so would be helpful if screen paused 

 

Rewordify.com

Can rewordify text

If too wordy or don’t understand it can make the wording more simple

 

Teacher to student communication-video modelling, daily schedule

 

Best practices and tips

Visuals visuals visuals

Newest is not always best-especially if expensive

Keep technology for language and learning separate from technology for games and play

 

Universal Design-make sure everyone knows how works so can contribute to whole classroom community

 

Considerations

Cost of tech

Know tech before use it