Children and adolescents may need speech and language therapy for many reasons. Reasons include; cleft palate, problems with the tongue, hearing problems, or "oral-motor" problems. Educators have access to much software that may help those with speech delays or impairments. All of the technology is interactive, and gives the child or adolescent a chance to develop language as well as motor skills, if needed.
One software that is recommended by the "American-Speech Language Association," is Slater. Slater software is interactive and can be used for children with mild, moderate, or severe speech and language development. Programs include: Reading with pictures, flash cards, communication boards, writing with pictures, science reading lessons, reading comprehension programs, "talk along kits," journal entery, listening software, and items for those with autism.
The software is designed for a wide range of students, and it made to be fun as well as educational. A huge plus on the site is that there is free stuff each month. The material consists of monthly studies, tutorials, hand outs, resources, and life skills. The best thing about using the free stuff is, it can be easily downloaded, saved, or simply printed for use.
The site also offers web specials for a limited time. As of right now (Feb. 2012), the special is $1.99 for 2 weeks. Which gives educators a chance to test the program, see if it can be used for the classroom, and determine whether or not to move on using Slater software. Of course, for access to a larger variety of software, a purchase is required.
The good thing about the price is, it's one time only. No annual pricing. The bad thing is, it can be a few hundred dollars. However, some products can be well under $100.00. The prices really depend on the type of computer and the type of software. Books can be uploaded and saved, for under $10. Making it easy for a teacher to build an interactive library for students, and schedules can be made for each student to read and learn a life skill of time and scheduling.
Overall, the product can be used for K-8th grade. It seems like a great resource for the classroom, and a way to help students develop a number of skills from reading, reading comprehension, to learning how to use technology in the classroom. The negative is really the price for much of the software, but the plus on that is, no annual fees (one time buy), the free items for classrooms, the monthly specials, and the fact that a large majority of the software (especially after purchasing some other software to use) is under $100. Although, major software, especially for autism, is well above that. Even so, it seems like a wonderful product for the classroom.
Sources:
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, www.asha.org, 1997-2012. Viewed February 12, 2012.
Slater Software, www.slatersoftware.com, 2010. Viewed February 12, 2012.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Elmo Document Camera
The "Elmo Document Camera" is considered a great teaching resource by many (so it seems). There are many websites which offer the documentation camera, including school outfitters and elmousa. There are several different types of cameras and projectors offered.
Unlike the projectors of old, these cameras have HDMI input, USB port, attachment lenses, and image mate software. Not all the cameras offer these features. Some seem pretty basic, such as the P30S (which has USB and is SD card ready). The P30S the basic projector, for moving and still images. For those who just want to go extremely basic (as if any of these are truly a basic projector), the Notebook Digital Document Camera is the way to go.
One of the best things about all these cameras is, they may be one of the most useful classroom tools a teacher can have. Teachers do not always have access to a computer, but this technology allows teachers to present information. There is even a new one which can record student's understanding of the presentation. All adjustments (color, zoom, etc.) can be made by remote control. Images can be shown in singles or in panels, and the educator can choose to click to the image or set a timer, and the camera can be connected through computer or directly to a projector.
This item could be useful for story telling, timeline, focusing in on objects such as rocks and minerals, viewing maps, math problems, flash cards, test reviews, quizzes, tests, or student presentations. The projector can be used on a white board for students to write on during lessons. It can also reduce the amount of words a teacher has to write during a lesson, giving her time to focus on teaching rather than writing and teaching. Most of all, Visual and kinesthetic learners can benefit greatly from this technology.
The only negative might be, learning how to use and apply this technology. However, that's not really a reason not to try it. The other negative may be, the school might not always have these in the classroom. The camera might have to be checked out from the library.
Even so, using this type of technology can be great for the whole classroom. Just doing simple lessons with the projector can be helpful to students and educators. Despite the negatives, it is a piece of technology that should be introduced and used.
Unlike the projectors of old, these cameras have HDMI input, USB port, attachment lenses, and image mate software. Not all the cameras offer these features. Some seem pretty basic, such as the P30S (which has USB and is SD card ready). The P30S the basic projector, for moving and still images. For those who just want to go extremely basic (as if any of these are truly a basic projector), the Notebook Digital Document Camera is the way to go.
One of the best things about all these cameras is, they may be one of the most useful classroom tools a teacher can have. Teachers do not always have access to a computer, but this technology allows teachers to present information. There is even a new one which can record student's understanding of the presentation. All adjustments (color, zoom, etc.) can be made by remote control. Images can be shown in singles or in panels, and the educator can choose to click to the image or set a timer, and the camera can be connected through computer or directly to a projector.
This item could be useful for story telling, timeline, focusing in on objects such as rocks and minerals, viewing maps, math problems, flash cards, test reviews, quizzes, tests, or student presentations. The projector can be used on a white board for students to write on during lessons. It can also reduce the amount of words a teacher has to write during a lesson, giving her time to focus on teaching rather than writing and teaching. Most of all, Visual and kinesthetic learners can benefit greatly from this technology.
The only negative might be, learning how to use and apply this technology. However, that's not really a reason not to try it. The other negative may be, the school might not always have these in the classroom. The camera might have to be checked out from the library.
Even so, using this type of technology can be great for the whole classroom. Just doing simple lessons with the projector can be helpful to students and educators. Despite the negatives, it is a piece of technology that should be introduced and used.
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