Assistive Technology

Speaking Global Translator

Name of Technology:
Speaking Global Translator by Franklin.

Category of Assistive Technology:
There wasn't really one category that the Global Translator fit into as it can help with both reading and writing. The main  thing it helps with in reading is vocabulary and the main thing it helps with in writing is spelling, conventions, and word choice. This devise is kind of like an "English to (one of 12)foreign language dictionary", so you could look up words that you read in a book to understand what you read, or you could look up the right word to use in your writing.

Description of How Technology Works:
This technology looks like one of those "slider phones" where the screen is on top and the full keyboard slides out from underneath (as pictured above). There are several different functions of this technology. You can translate words (much like looking up a word in a foreign dictionary) and get the definitions in both languages, or there are several thousand phrases already built in that it can translate for you. There is a keyboard where you can type the word in to see how to say it in one of 12 different languages. Another great feature is that the speaking global translator will actually say the words out loud so you can hear what they really sound like. There are also a few word games that you can play to get extra practice.

Which of the Universal Design for Learning principles might be facilitated by this technology?
This assistive technology qualifies under the "Engagement in Learning" learning principle. It fits here because it gives students different ways to participate in and contribute to the learning community. If a student who maybe doesn't speak English well, they could look up a word they are unsure of. Once they learn this word they can engage in conversation with other students about it or ask questions about it and really engage in the learning community.

What types or groups of students might benefit from the use of this technology?  For what learning goals might it be most effective?
I think the type of student who would benefit from this technology are English Language Learners (in general education classes) and it would also be effective for English speakers to use in foreign language classes like Spanish or French. I think it would fit most learning goals (concerning reading and writing) for English Language Learners because it is an accommodation for them; they don't know as many words in English as their classmates so this technology would put them more on an equal ground.

Do you have any concerns or reservations about this technology?

I do have some concerns about this technology. One is that it is rather expensive, so it wouldn't be something that a lot of families could afford. I could have some for classroom use, but that wouldn't help if they had stuff they needed to do at home. Another concern is that really only one student can use it at a time, and it has an audio-component (saying the words out loud) that could be very helpful but also it might be distracting to the other students. There is a headphone jack, but my concern there is that it might cut that student off from everyone else in the classroom.

Any other comments, suggestions, or recommendations you might make to a teacher contemplating the use of this assistive technology?
I thought this was a really cool piece of technology. It could be useful to students of many languages that are learning English, and for English speakers learning other languages. As a teacher I would be very clear about when it can and can not be used- like if there was a test on spelling or seeing how much vocabulary a student knows on his/her own then the translator obviously couldn't be used.