What is a Virtual Assistant & Can I have one?!
There are many different devices and apps that can be used in the classroom to enhance instruction and to save instructional time. One device that can be used in the classroom with young children is a Virtual Assistant. Virtual assistants are smart speakers that can be used for a variety of purposes. Teachers can use the Virtual Assistant to set a timer quickly when they may not be available to press a button. Teachers can also use the device to coordinate their schedules and add events to their calendars to stay organized. Students can even use the speaker! They can ask the speaker questions, which enhances language and literacy opportunities. Another amazing benefit of the smart speaker is the opportunity for assessment. Children can play games in which they answer questions and receive immediate, self-correcting feedback from the speaker as they work to review newly acquired information. For many students, the device can help to lower frustration as they gain immediate feedback and are independent in solving their own problems. I would love to hear about how you use virtual assistants in your classroom. Be sure to check out some of the great resources linked below.
This is a representation that shows the global smart speaker market and its projected growth by 2023
This is an awesome video showing how students use the Alexa speaker in the classroom!
References:
Dousay, Tonia & Hall, Cassidy. (2018). "Alexa, tell me about using a virtual assistant in the classroom".
Using Amazon Echo in the Elementary Classroom. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4gwyI39uSU&t=453s
Prepare for virtual assistants in Special Education. (n.d). District Administration Retrieved from https://districtadministration.com/prepare-for-virtual-assistants-in-special-education/
I just brought an Alexa into my classroom and my students are very excited! As a teacher, I love using Alexa for timers, weather and getting music right away. I use music in the classroom often for keeping students calm when working and Alexa is a great way to have control of the music right away. I also use music for an activity called Hand Up Pair Up, where students listen to music dancing around the room and then when the music stops, they freeze, put their hand up, pair up with a partner to share their thinking for a question. Normally, I have to stay located at my computer while my students dance around the room, but with Alexa, I can be more involved with them and participate with them as they dance.
ReplyDeleteI loved watching the video you attached to your blog and found some awesome features I want to tomorrow at school. I am so excited to play "Guess My Number" during math class. I love that she tells students if their guess is greater than or less than the number! These are math skills that we are working on in first grade. I was also impressed with the skill "Diddy". It sounds amazing and I bet my students would be so motivated to clean up or follow a direction quickly if they knew I was going to give them a funny "Diddy"!
How are you using Alexa in your classroom?
I love the idea of using Alexa as a fair way to pair students up! Much of my work in preschool involves using timers and transitioning from activity to activity. Having Alexa set a timer is helpful as I do not have to remember to set a timer when I am working with a group. We also use Alexa for playing music as many of our circle time activities involve songs. Thanks for the good ideas!
DeleteCaitlin,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great asset to have in a classroom! I have never thought about how dependent I am on Alexa daily in my own home (I have the Show, the Echo, and multiple Dots!) and I think it would be great to have this for my students even at the high school level. I know that there are many things that kids can ask at a young age and get answers to, but I like the idea of having it in my Algebra 2 class. Using Alexa as a resource in my classroom can help my students with more than just learning Math. As a teacher, we do spend a great deal of time doing curriculum and content in Algebra 2, but they are also still eager children wanting to learn more. Sometimes my students ask questions that I may not be able to answer-- it would be a great way to revert to Alexa and see if we can find more information on it as well! I am going to try and bring an Alexa in my classroom next week and see how my students respond to having this device in their classroom.
Thanks for the great idea!
Katie deRitis
I think virtual assistants can be effective in any classroom- regardless of students age. I think your high school students would probably enjoy the opportunity to ask Alexa answers to their questions as a way to review their work and to make sure they are on the right track. I hope your students love Alexa as much as mine do!
DeleteBeing a world language teacher, I can see my students and myself using a virtual assistant in the classroom. Students in my classroom learn about grammar, a mix of topics, and a variety of Spanish-speaking countries. I can see students asking all sorts of questions that can help them with their learning. I also like that it can set timers and add events. For timers, I always use my watch, but having an Alexa would be so helpful! For dates, I always make notes to remind students of important events and having an Alexa would definitely keep me organized. What has been your most memorable moment with using Alexa in your classroom?
ReplyDeleteOne memorable moment I had was watching a student ask Alexa about the weather. He had already made comments about what he thought the weather was for that day & independently went over to Alexa to check his answer by asking her. I have found that asking Alexa questions helps my students with slowing down their speech and is helpful in developing language and in expanding their vocabulary. My students also love celebrating birthdays in the classroom by having Alexa sing to them on their special day.
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