Using Technology to Assist Language Learning

By: Jennifer Moore

Using Technology to Assist Language Learning

By: Jennifer Moore

Important Note #1Important Note #1

• As with any good educator and/or program, it can only be beneficial to the student when there is invested time and training put into it. All assistive tech devices are wonderful tools to use for any type of learning assistance; however, if the device is collecting dust in the corner of a room, the students’ best interests are not being properly examined!

Training Teachers on AT devicesTraining Teachers on AT devices

Different types of ATDifferent types of AT

• Low Tech devices– Students with fine motor problems or if one can

not use hands, other forms of communication are made possible (i.e. switches, joysticks)• Board Makers

– Speaking Dynamically Pro (allows customization of individual voice)

• Picture icons– Mayer Johnson http://www.mayer-johnson.com/– Board Maker software-different icons can be created to

accommodate student IEP guidelines.

Picture Icons/Communication BoardPicture Icons/Communication Board

Different types of ATDifferent types of AT

• Medium Tech– Cheap Talk-voice output communication device– Tech Speak– Use of overlays with picture icons at different

levels to meet student needs– Allows customization– Can be used with only a few icons per level and up

to 32 icons based on student ability

Different Types of ATDifferent Types of AT

• High Tech Devices– Dynavox– I-Chat– Use of dynamic display and touch screen– Extensive linking– Functions as computer with Windows or Apple

platform to access Internet

Alternative KeyboardsAlternative Keyboards

Different types of ATDifferent types of AT• Text to Speech

– Talking word processor (Write Out loud)– Word prediction (CoWriter)

• Speech to Text– Voice dictation-Dragon Naturally Speaking– “Dictated words appear in a floating tooltip as they are spoken, and when the

speaker pauses, the program transcribes the words into the active– window at the location of the cursor” (Wikipedia)

• Optical Character Resolution (OCR) system• Speech Reader: Scans books into computer and reads book back to student• Great device for Dyslexic students

• Books on Tape (low-tech)• Laureate Learning Systems• Don Johnston Inc.

Important Note #2Important Note #2

• The ability of a student must be measured carefully when considering using an assistive tech device. Using a high tech device, such as a Dynavox, requires the student to have the cognitive capabilities to use the device in a functional manner.

Laureate Learning SystemsLaureate Learning Systems• Communication software device

http://www.laureatelearning.com/professionals602/• Language based software that address disabilities such as

“autism, language impairments, developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, aphasia, and traumatic brain injury.”

• 7 stages to program– “1. Interpreted Communication (0 to +/- 4 Months)– 2. Intentional Communication (4 to +/- 9 Months)– 3. Single Words (9 to +/- 18 Months)– 4. Word Combinations (18 to +/- 24 Months)– 5. Early Syntax (24 to +/- 36 Months)– 6. Syntax Mastery (3 to +/- 5 Years)– 7. Complete Generative Grammar (5 Years to Adult)”

Don JohnstonDon Johnston

• Different software to aid in communication/language disabilities:– Writing: Co:Writer, Write:Out Loud, Draft:Builder– Reading: Read:Out Loud, Start-to-Finish– Phonics: WordMaker, Earobics

Important Note #3Important Note #3

• Language and communication skills do not always have to be verbalized. Students can use a voice output device. If they can not utilize their hands appropriately, a switch, joystick, eye gaze or head turn can be a form of language to them depending on the severity of their disability. They are synthesizing the material and translating it into a way they know.

The Growth of Assistive Technology

The Growth of Assistive Technology

Use of Language Learning with ATUse of Language Learning with AT

Ideas for Adapting Instruction using ATIdeas for Adapting Instruction using AT

• If my student has…I should use…– Autistic Spectrum

• Communication board, high tech devices, academic software to reinforce learning

– Dyslexia• Text to Speech program (Write OutLoud), Co:Writer

– Mild Physical and Cognitive Impairment• Typing software, Co:Writer, AlphaSmart

– Significant Physical and Cognitive Impairment• Communication device, switch, Intellikeys, mounting systems

Inspirational YouTube Videos on AT

Inspirational YouTube Videos on AT

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXchQnJ6PoE

• How a severely handicapped girl, Ellen, uses an AT device.– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAdEOXD9TvkLike I mentioned before, not all communication is

transmitted via language. Ellen shows us here that she communicates by having a computerized voice articulate for her.

Great WebsitesGreat Websites• Laureate learning System http://www.laureatelearning.com/professionals602/• Don Johnston http://www.donjohnston.com/• AMDI Amdi.com• RJ Cooper• DynaVox

– http://www.dynavoxtech.com/• Enabling Devices

– http://enablingdevices.com/catalog– Provides affordable assistive tech devices to aid in individuals with different

disabilities• Mayer Johnson (and board maker)

– http://www.mayer-johnson.com/– http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Communication-Software?leadsource=

137&gclid=CL3Yk6v93ZQCFQVxFQodIQWHSg

ReferencesReferences• IDEA: (IDEA, 1997, 20, USC, Ch. 33, Sec. 1401 [25] US)

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te7assist.htm• Laureate Learning Systems

http://www.laureatelearning.com/professionals602/

• Mayer Johnson http://www.mayer-johnson.com/• Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_NaturallySpeaking• YouTube Videos

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXchQnJ6PoE– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAdEOXD9Tvk

• www.spotlightonlearning.com• www.ldresources.org