Aids
Communication Aids in the Classroom - some ideas for talking devices
By Maggie Wagstaff, Advisory Teacher
We have an abundance of easy ways to record and play back sounds. So what can all this talking do for us?
In the first instance it provides a very easy to use technology in the classroom.
For many children voice, picture or symbol generated communication is their natural medium. Physical access by direct pressing is often achievable, and if not, can be facilitated by other means such as a switch.
The simplicity of just recording a new message enables teachers and children to make the use of these devices dynamic, current and appropriate.
How often do we look for displays which are not only informative, aesthetic and a celebration of children’s work but also have the ‘live facility’ to leave a comment or to hear more about how the work came about?
Many of these devices can turn a static display into a living one! Some Talking Tins used on an 'autumn' display
allow children to record what the colours make them think, or they can listen to pre-recorded sounds and ideas.
A Talking Photo Album quickly makes the photos of a day out not only an accessible memory for most children, but also a way of presenting children’s work. Visitors will enjoy looking at and listening to these. Talking Albums can also be taken home and ‘read’, discussed and even added to. They are a very speedy way of using technology in the current climate of ‘anytime, anywhere’ learning.
Personal uses for smaller talking devices
For a small group working together, the Time Cue can be used as a reminder of when it is time to go to assembly. It can also be a great aid to help a child work for a period of time on a given task - particularly useful when used in parallel with their visual/personal timetable.
Talking Tins, the Personal Talker or Go Talk Button fit neatly in the pocket for use as reminders or ways to record information during, for example:
- a mini beast search
- a message to/from the secretary
- mini interview situations
- role play
They are also useful as tabletop reminders of tasks to be completed in the classroom and equally useful as behaviour prompts, encouragements and reassurances.
With the Interactive Whiteboard
With the advent of the interactive whiteboard and the power of pupil participation, having these aids to hand in the classroom can make it easier to ensure all children are engaged in the learning process.
Useful Speech Devices
One teacher told the story of the Three Little Pigs with a series of Smart board pages containing images, sounds and short video clips.
The children could have just sat and watched. Maybe they would get a chance to come up and move a pig or two on the interactive whiteboard. However, for many it would have been a smaller scale cinema experience - without the popcorn! With a few props and some communication aids, however, it became a really interactive experience...
Some of the props included:
- 3 little pigs puppets
- The mother puppet
- The big bad wolf puppet
- A Talking Tin with the message, ‘What happened next?’
- Symbols for all the characters and ‘events‘ in the story, made using Communicate in Print.
- More Talking Tins were ready for recording and use as the need arose.
Two children held Talking Tins with 'true' and 'false' messages. Others had pens at the ready, should they be called upon to vote or write a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. One child used a Go Talk with six messages and learned to directly access these when the matching phrase appeared in the story.
The pigs all had different temperaments. One laughed a lot, the other stamped his foot, the other always said ‘its not fair’. So matching these with voice messages was great fun!
What resulted was a class of children focused on their part in the story or listening and looking hard to make sure they were ready to show, speak, press or write. The teacher taught and the interactive whiteboard and all the smaller technologies played their part. Not a leading role, but as with all supporting cast and props, a very important one!
Some examples of useful speech devices
A pocket sized Personal Talker with 10 seconds recording time, one button press to play, insert a picture, photo, text, symbol or even a flat object.
Activated by movement towards the device, doesn’t need actual contact. 6.5cm x 11.cm x 3.5cm.
Records a 10 second message press one large button to playback.
5 cm diameter, with magnet at the back for display purposes.
Record 2 minutes of multiple messages, repeat each message as much as you like and press to move on.
4cm x 9cm x 12cm attaches to a key ring and has a built in led torch.
Works like a tape recorder - only better!
- Ideal for recording step by step instructions.
- Press play to hear the cue as often as needed.
- Press ‘forward’ for the next step or ‘rewind’ for the previous one.
- You can change one step without affecting the others.
- Total 72 seconds of recording time.
- Batteries and clip included.
- Size: 5cm x 9cm x 1cm.
Twelve message buttons, each carrying up to 10 seconds of speech, (high quality voice messages ) sound or music. Battery powered, portable, with clear buttons for display and pressing.
178 x 127 x 25mm
Record a message, add a picture or photos or symbol and set the clock to play it back at the right time. Folds flat for easy portability in a pocket and great for those reminders or cues to aid independence.
Perhaps the cheapest and most versatile talking devices, with their magnetic back and easy play and record buttons. They record a 10 second message for use on displays, personal reminders and participation in groups.
A 30 second message model is now available too!
Just a photo album with batteries and the ability to record a short message with each photo, re-recordable message facility. Press two buttons to speak and record, one button to listen. From display to home, school books to presentation media, these are a valuable resource.