#Alexa4Edu
Benefits
Here are a few benefits to adding Alexa to your classroom.
Articulation - It is so exciting to see how student's commands get clearer and clearer since they are motivated for Alexa to understand them.
Support Literacy - While students are writing they can ask Alexa to spell a specific word, suggest a synonym, or define a word. Skills are available for comprehension, sight words, writing prompts, grammar, and etc.
Current Events - Government class can easily stay up to date on daily news briefings. “Alexa, what is my flash briefing”
Gifted and Talented - Try the Jeopardy skill to challenge your students each day. New questions are added each weekday.
SAT/ACT Support - Middle school and High school students can try the Difficult Word Quiz skill or SAT Word of the Day and expand their vocabulary.
Analytical Thinking - Young students answer yes or no questions using the Twenty Questions skill from Alexa, while she tries to figure out what they are thinking of. “Alexa, launch 20 questions” The skill Akinator is another great example. Students think of a character, fiction or real. Alexa asks questions until she has a guess.
Classroom Reward/Challenge - Try the Jeopardy skill to challenge your students each day. New questions are added each weekday.
Auditory Processing - Students respond to questions after listening to a short story using this Listening Comprehension Practice (Hutch) skill. Alexa will tell them if they are correct.
Knowledge/Remember - Several quiz skills and teacher made assessments can have students recall facts, define vocabulary, and more.
Low-Level Questioning - Free up teacher time for deeper learning. Let Alexa answer simple/recall type questions.
Knowledge/Remember - Several quiz skills can have students recall facts, define vocabulary, and more.
Classroom Research - A student reading below grade level needs help with research. Asking Alexa takes the barriers away. They can ask Alexa to repeat the information.
Multiple Dots - Set up multiple Dots in groups for writing assignments, research, speech class, etc. It is like having a teacher assistant at each group.
Accessibility - Numerous benefits for students that have needs relating to vision, hearing, mobility, and speech.
ELL Support - The are many skills and commands that support ELL learners in the classroom. Just using voice alone can help with
Who am I?
I am Rebecca Dwenger
I am passionate about #Alexa4Edu. It all began back early in 2015 with the original Amazon Echo and watching my children interact with it. I created professional development for educators to utilize this great voice assistant in their classrooms. Since then, I have presented on this great tool locally and nationally. I am excited to continue my passion for voice technology by curating resources for educators to use in their classrooms.
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING...
My areas of expertise include instructional design, voice technology, and differentiation. I use my passion for cutting edge technology to ignite productivity and learning through my work with teachers and administrators. My most recent work includes creating and launching an online micro-credential ecosystem for professional development, and integrating voice activated devices into the classroom. I have presented locally, regionally, and at the 2018 & 2019 ISTE conferences. My educational background includes 18 years of teaching experience, a master's degree in Instructional Design & Technology from Miami University, a bachelor's degree in education, an Ohio Department of Education Technology Endorsement, and an ISTE Certification. I have four children of my own that are as passionate about Alexa as I am. You can find us often playing with the Akinator skill or any of the numerous button games available on Alexa.
Find me on Twitter or email me to find out how to bring #Alexa4Edu to your next professional development day!
