Here are 7 ways to use voice technology in the classroom of today:
Get immediate answers to your questions
Voice search can be a very valuable tool in enhancing a student’s learning experience. Sometimes, students have to spend a lot of time searching for information on certain topics or getting their doubts cleared. They spend hours waiting for teachers to help them or reading their class materials.
The voice search option available in smart speakers can overcome the time barrier and provide accurate & relevant results fairly quickly. The data available on the internet can be accessed using voice search.
An alternative could be to program a specific ‘Alexa skill’ or voice command that can be prompted to answer students’ queries using local resources and information.
Exercises that are routine for learning
School is perceived by many children as more of a compulsory training center than a place to learn. Due to the monotony of traditional teaching methods, some children may lose focus in the classroom. Teachers can use this interest to make classroom learning more enjoyable by leveraging children’s interest in the latest technology.
A voice-powered smart device can be used for routine learning exercises such as memorizing spellings, learning the definition & pronunciation of a new word, translating foreign languages, etc.
Thus, voice technology helps solve the problem of school attendance by making learning more creative and engaging. In fact, it is beneficial even for toddlers in playgroups who can learn to recognize the most basic sounds through a smart-speaker.
Quizzes and tests that can be customized
It is one of the most important features of voice technology that it can be customized and trained to meet the needs of the classroom. Teachers can use Amazon’s Echo Dot smart speaker’s ‘Skill Blueprints’ tool to design specific interactions for classroom activities using the Echo Dot.
They do not need any coding skills since the tool offers a list of readymade templates to choose from. Using a quiz template, teachers can create a short-term assessment quiz based on a recent topic of study. The quiz can also be shared with other students if they have access to a similar technology at home.
Storytelling and reading to students
Incorporate voice assistants into the classroom by asking them to read stories to students. Audiobooks are available online for voice assistants to access. This feature not only keeps students engaged, but also reduces the strain on the teachers’ throats.
Through the use of voice technology, storytelling can be taken to the next level by making the stories interactive. By writing and programming stories that allow readers to control plot-lines, this can be achieved.
Controlling the classroom environment
To set the tone and mood of a class with the help of music and voice technology is a long-standing tradition. Teachers can play music of their choice with a simple voice command.
Teachers and students can continue working while the former instructs the voice assistant to play white noise. Students can also participate in a fun classroom activity where they sing and dance to music or play musical chairs, passing the parcel, etc.
Podcasts for contemporary learning
Students engaged in remote learning and revision exercises can also benefit immensely from voice technology. Lectures can be recorded as audio-tapes and then uploaded as podcasts. The students can then download these podcasts by simply asking their voice assistant to do so.
Students can benefit greatly from these podcasts during revision and preparation exercises because they can access vital information at any time, anywhere.
Podcasts give students a lot of flexibility, allowing them to learn at their own pace. Moreover, the absence of a screen on voice-powered smart speakers prevents students from getting distracted.
Assistants to teachers
Voice-driven devices can not only assist teachers in their teaching activities, but can also act as a personal assistant to them.
Multiple classroom management activities often take up a lot of the time allotted to teachers. Teachers can delegate some tasks to voice assistants so they do not have to pay attention to every detail.
Among other things, the devices can be used to set reminders, provide instructions to students, answer general questions, etc. As a result, teachers will have more time to conduct classes and improve their teaching skills.
Additionally, the school management can leverage voice technology by replacing the PA systems in each class with smart speakers.This will help make announcements more convenient.
Voice interactive learning – GrannyMaster
With Alexa and Google Assistant support for compatible courses, you can use your voice to interact, reduce screen time and experience an immersive learning experience by accessing course content over audio, thereby giving your eyes some much-needed respite. So you want to explore? Enable GrannyMaster Assistant/Skill by using the links below to start your fun filled voice interactive learning.
