Adaptive Technology Resource
One adaptive technology resource I discovered this week that
I found particularly interesting is the Scanmarker. It has enormous potential for classroom and library
use. Though it is not an online
digital tool, it is a device that connects to a phone, tablet, or computer and
works with an app from Google Play or the Apple Store. The Scanmarker is shaped like a pen and
the user glides the end of the “pen” over printed text. The software converts the text to
digital form and then can read it back out-loud to the user. There are many devices such as this one
on the market, but it appears to be the fastest, from what I have read. A fabulous feature of this device is
that it can translate the printed text into other languages and read in that
other language.
As
an adaptive device for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia this tool
could be a major game changer.
Reading printed text such as printed tests or a book can be a daunting
task for a student who has problems reading, but this tool can read the text to
them. For a librarian, this tool
makes almost every printed book in the library accessible to anyone. Another beautiful thing about this tool
is that students who do not read English can now scan printed text and have it
translated. I would like to
purchase one and try it out and see if it reads back the translation in a
natural way. If the device works
like the manufacturer says it does, then it is truly magic!
An
online tool I have used personally, that is similar to the Scanmarker is the
Scanner & Translator - Scan Photo to Text app by Aisberg LLC, which is only
for Apple products and is available at the Apple Store. This tool works by using the device’s
camera. The user takes a picture
of the text, whether it is printed on paper, a street sign, or side of a
building, it does not matter, and the app then converts the text to digital
form. From there the text can be read out-loud, translated and read out-loud,
saved and sent, or saved, edited, and placed into a document. This technology is free. As an adaptive tool, this app can be
used with an IPad, which many schools provide for their students, and can be
given to students who need to hear what printed text says. This would work with books, tests,
worksheets, and textbooks. Again,
there are many similar products like this one on the market. Google Translate has similar features.
Most
of the adaptive tools that I ran across this week in our viewings and readings
had to do with physical abilities such as hearing impairment, (the video about
the town learning to sign made me tear up), and mobility issues. However, having dealt with dyslexia all
of my life, I was very happy to see that there are a number of great devices
and apps for people who have learning disabilities. A general Google search will provide many. Also, the article “Assistive and
Adaptive Technology Resources” written by Edward Cummings in Knowledge Quest’s January/February,
2011, edition has some great tried and true suggestions with the web links
available to copy and paste. .
Cummings, E. O. (2011). Assistive and adaptive technology resources. Knowledge Quest, 39(3),
70–73. Retrieved from
https://login.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=58621346&site=ehost-live
That's fascinating! I find that, with students who have dyslexia, colored text is a huge help in deciphering the letters and negotiating the spaces between letters. I can see how this tool would really assist dyslexic learners. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is not a web tool, Scanmarker seems like a really cool idea if it works as it is advertised. Like you point out, there are a multitude of potential uses for adaptive technology like it and similar apps that use a camera instead of the stylus like the Apple-only Scanner & Translator - Scan Photo to Text app by Aisberg LLC that you used. I also noticed that a large portion of the adaptive tools were about those few things, and while they deserve attention and are important, it is nice to see something else get some attention and addressing.
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