Ways Assisted Technology can support Phonics
Assistive technology can be a powerful tool for supporting children who struggle with phonics and literacy. Here are some examples of assistive technology that can be used to support phonics lessons:
- Text-to-speech software: Text-to-speech software can read text aloud to children, which can be helpful for children who struggle with decoding or have difficulty reading fluently. This can be particularly useful for students who are learning English as a second language.
- Speech-to-text software: Speech-to-text software can convert spoken language into written text, which can be helpful for children who struggle with writing and spelling. This can also be useful for children who have dysgraphia or other motor difficulties that make writing difficult.
- Word prediction software: Word prediction software can suggest words as a child type, based on the first few letters that are entered. This can be helpful for children who struggle with spelling or have difficulty generating ideas for writing.
- Interactive phonics games and apps: There are many interactive phonics games and apps available that can be used to reinforce phonics concepts and provide additional practice opportunities for children.
By incorporating assistive technology into phonics instruction, teachers and parents can provide additional support and resources for children who struggle with phonics and literacy. This can help to ensure that all children have the opportunity to develop strong literacy skills and succeed academically.
Top 10 Assisted Technology Resources to Support Reading and Writing
Touch and Learn Activity Desk
The Vtech Touch and Learn Activity Desk is an interactive learning desk for children that features a variety of educational activities and games. It is designed to help children learn and develop important skills in a fun and engaging way.
The desk comes with a variety of activity pages that children can insert into the desk to learn about different subjects, such as letters, numbers, colours, and shapes. The desk is designed to grow with your child and can be adjusted to different heights to accommodate children of different ages.
Scanmarker Air Pen Scanner
The Scanmarker Air Pen Scanner is a wireless OCR (optical character recognition) digital highlighter and reader that can scan and digitize text from books, documents, and other printed materials. It is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, and can be used to quickly and easily scan and digitize text.
To use the Scanmarker Air Pen Scanner, simply scan the text with the pen and the OCR technology will recognise the text and convert it into editable digital text. This makes it a valuable tool for students, professionals, and anyone who needs to scan and digitize large amounts of text quickly and easily.
Scan Reader Pen
The Scan Reader Pen is a smart reading pen that can scan and translate text in 134 different languages. It is designed to help people with dyslexia and other reading difficulties read and understand text more easily. The pen features OCR (optical character recognition) technology that allows it to scan text and instantly translate it into multiple languages.
The pen is easy to use and features a simple one-button design. To use it, simply scan the text with the pen and the translated text will appear on the built-in display. The pen also features a built-in speaker that can read the translated text aloud, making it a valuable tool for individuals who are visually impaired.
Word Building Kit
The PlayShifu Educational Word Game – Plugo Letters is a fun and engaging STEM toy that can help children aged 4 to 8 learn phonics, spelling, and grammar through play. Its interactive learning games and high-quality alphabet tiles make it a valuable tool for parents and educators who want to help their children improve their language skills in a fun and engaging way.
The Plugo Letters app works with both tablets and mobile devices and is available for both iOS and Android platforms. The app features interactive learning games that teach children how to spell, read, and write words. The games are designed to be fun and engaging, and they encourage children to explore the English language in a playful and interactive way.
Speech to Text Software
Dragon Naturally Speaking 13 Home is a voice recognition software developed by Nuance Communications. It allows users to dictate text to their computer, control their computer using voice commands, and transcribe audio files into text. The software uses advanced speech recognition technology that can recognise natural speech and accurately transcribe it into text.
The software is easy to use and comes with a range of features designed to improve productivity and ease of use. It can be used to dictate documents, emails, and other types of text, allowing users to complete their work quickly and efficiently. The software also allows users to control their computers using voice commands, making it a valuable tool for individuals with mobility impairments or disabilities.
Voice Tracer and Recognition
The Philips Voice Tracer Audio Recorder DVT2810/00 is a digital audio recorder designed for recording high-quality audio with the convenience of digital technology.
One of the most notable features of the Philips Voice Tracer Audio Recorder DVT2810/00 is its speech recognition software. The device comes with Dragon Recorder Edition software, which allows users to convert their recordings into text quickly and easily.
Electronic Flashcards
The beiens 120Pcs Learning Education Toys set is an extensive educational toy package designed to support the learning and development of young children. The set includes electronic talking flashcards reading machine, 11 sets of ABC, 123, and sight word flashcards, and other interactive educational toys suitable for children aged 2-6 years old.
The electronic talking flashcards reading machine is a unique learning tool that can be used with the included flashcards. The machine reads out the words, letters, or numbers displayed on the card, helping children to develop their vocabulary, language skills, and reading abilities. The machine is easy to operate, and its interactive features make learning fun and engaging for children.
Hot Dots Phonics
The Learning Resources Hot Dots Let’s Learn! A Phonics set is an interactive learning tool designed to help children develop their phonics skills. The set includes 80 double-sided activity cards that cover a range of phonics concepts, such as letter sounds, blending sounds, and word families.
The set includes a Hot Dots pen, which is used to interact with the activity cards. Children can touch the pen to the correct answer on the card, and the pen will light up and make a sound to indicate whether the answer is correct or incorrect. This feedback system helps children to learn at their own pace and reinforces their understanding of the material.
Writing Tablet
The LCD Writing Tablet with Talking Flash Cards is a versatile educational toy designed to help children develop their reading, writing, and drawing skills.
The tablet includes talking flashcards that cover a range of topics such as letters, numbers, colours, shapes, and animals. The flashcards are interactive and can be used to test children’s understanding of the material. The tablet also includes an erasable drawing pad that children can use to practice their drawing and writing skills.
LeapFrog Learn to Read 10 Books
The LeapFrog 80-61612E LeapReader Learn to Read 10-Book Pack is a mega bundle of books designed to help children learn to read. The set includes ten interactive books that cover a range of reading levels, from simple sight words to more complex sentences and stories.
The books are designed to be used with the LeapReader pen, which is sold separately. The pen can be used to read the text on the page out loud, and children can also touch the pen to individual words or letters to hear them pronounced or spelt out.
Each book in the set includes a range of interactive activities and games to help children practice their reading skills. The books also include comprehension questions to test children’s understanding of the material and reinforce their learning.
Hot Dots Reading and Maths
The Hot Dots Learn at Home Reading & Maths Set 1 is an interactive learning resource designed to help young children learn literacy and math skills in a fun and engaging way. The set includes two activity books with a total of 100 pages, which cover a range of concepts such as letter recognition, phonics, counting, addition, and subtraction.
The Hot Dots pen, which is sold separately, is used to interact with the activity books. Children can touch the pen to the correct answer or response on the page, and the pen will light up and make a sound to indicate whether the answer is correct or incorrect. This feedback system helps children to learn at their own pace and reinforces their understanding of the material.
Word Prediction
The Philips Voice Tracer Audio Recorder DVT2810/00 is a digital audio recorder designed for recording high-quality audio with the convenience of digital technology. It comes with 8GB of internal memory, providing plenty of space for recording hours of audio. The recorder also has a rechargeable battery, which can be charged via USB, and provides up to 50 hours of recording time.
One of the most notable features of the Philips Voice Tracer Audio Recorder DVT2810/00 is its speech recognition software. The device comes with Dragon Recorder Edition software, which allows users to convert their recordings into text quickly and easily.