Simple, digitised speech communication aids into which you record your own voice or sounds have proved to be among the most popular classroom technologies. The AbleNet range (BIGmack, LITTLEmack and Step-by-Step) can be used to help include learners in all sorts of activities by giving them a voice. The ease with which they can be programmed with new messages means that anyone can use them.

For many learners, the next step - having direct access to a number of messages - has only been available through using much more complex and expensive communication aids. The Tech/Talk and Tech/Speak communication aids offer an ideal way to provide a choice of messages without requiring hours to program and without costing a fortune.

The Tech/Talk 8 is a simple, eight location communication aid, available with either six or eight levels of messages. Six levels will allow you to store six different sets of messages, and so on. The large message cells are easy to press and, for some users, should provide an ideal way to progress from switches to direct selection. The recording process means that a new set of messages can be easily recorded, and the provision of levels will allow you to keep frequently used sets of messages. This is ideal for classroom use where the Tech device can be shared by a number of pupils, or used in different curriculum areas.

The Tech/Speak 32 offers the same ease of use, this time with thirty-two message locations. This will give a greater choice of messages, making it an ideal "starter" communication aid.

Speech is such a universal and direct method of communication that those without it are frequently excluded from many activities in the classroom. Picture and symbol charts can help, but others in the class may find these hard to understand. Voice output is the method that is most likely to be understood and responded to by others, including their peers, other adults and pupils from other classes. A voice is hard to ignore. In a busy classroom what is needed is an easy-to-use communication aid that can be quickly and easily programmed when needed.

Each Tech device comes with a set of overlays to help you make a start - one just has the numbers 1 to 8, ideal for numeracy activities - but it is easy to create your own. This can be done using a computer program such as BoardMaker; a template disc for this is included with Tech device. Alternatively you can use a simple piece of paper with pictures, sweet wrappers or photographs as well as symbols. The program Picture This... Pro is an ideal source of good clear photographs of over 2800 pictures of everyday objects, places, vehicles etc. It is then a matter of simply pressing a button and touching a square on the overlay to record a new message. This can be your voice, that of another pupil or a sound. Make an overlay of pictures of musical instruments and record their sounds to allow a pupil to decide what to play.

Tech/Talk 8 and Tech/Speak 32 product information