Assistive Technology

1. Name of the Technology
The name of my assistive technology is an electronic Merriam-Webster Speaking Dictionary and Thesaurus.

2. Category of AT
I would put my assistive technology under the categories; READING: Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary and WRITING: Spelling, Conventions, and Word Choice.

3. Description of how the technology works
The Speaking Dictionary and Thesaurus comes with many different features. This device provides you with built in dictionary, thesaurus, games, exercises, a grammar guide, and your own personal word list. It is fairly easy to use; there is a menu button that shows you all of the options I have listed above. If your sole purpose is to use it for a dictionary when you turn it on the main screen tells you to type a word in and it will find the definition of that word. A nice feature to this device is that it will say the word to you if you don't know how to pronounce it. The voice on this electronic device is clear and easy to understand.


4. The principles of the Universal Design for Learning:
  -Representation of information: The only ways I have seen the Speaking Dictionary and Thesaurus present information is orally and visually. 
  - Engagement in Learning: This device can be used in a group setting in the classroom. For example, if a group of students are working together and get stuck on a word, the students' can use the electronic dictionary to look up the word they are stuck on. This will provide them with the definition; it can pronounce the word for the students, as well as the thesaurus that will provide the students with synonyms and related concepts.
 -Expression of Knowledge: The assistive technology provides games that the student can play to practice and test their knowledge. I think it is very effective having games to play on this device because it is a fun way to practice what they learned. The Speaking Dictionary and Thesaurus comes with built in exercises that can demonstrate their knowledge as well.

5. What types or groups of students might benefit from the use of this technology? For what learning goals might it be most effective?
There can be a variety of students that can benefit from this technology. I think the students with lower vocabulary, students with learning disabilities, or students who are learning English for their second language would benefit the most from this technology. Learning goals where this device might be most effective are for students who need to build up their vocabulary and expand their writing vocabulary. Another learning goal could be used with students who are learning English. They might know what a word is, but they might not know how to pronounce it or know what it means. This can be very difficult to know when someone is learning a new language. A nice feature in this dictionary is the word list where students can add words to further study or practice to help meet certain learning goals.

 6. Any concerns or reservations about this technology?
A concern I might have for this technology is if you are working with younger students' it might be difficult figuring out how to use the device for the first time. When I tested it out for the first time some of the games were hard to figure out how to play. Another concern might be that the effects on the Speaking Dictionary and Thesaurus might be a little old fashioned compared to the newer technology we have today.

7. Other comments, suggestions, or recommendations you might make to a teacher contemplating the use of this assistive technology
This electronic dictionary is very light weight making it a lot easier to pack around compared to a written dictionary. I use it with students who have lower vocabulary to help them build upon that. It helps students learn new vocabulary while practicing how to use it as well as practicing how to pronounce it.