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Using Rosetta Stone for Speech Therapy  

Imagine sitting in a classroom unable to understand the teacher. Imagine eating dinner with your family but unable to join the conversation. Imagine trying to tell a relative or a friend a story, but the words simply don’t come. That is the fate of autistics who are unable to master language skills. They are sentenced to a lifetime of loneliness, of alienation, of wallflower status.

In our increasingly global society, studies have been done, and advanced degrees achieved, on the best way to learn a new language. For years, language-learning software has been instrumental and available in helping English speakers of other languages (ESOL) and English language learners assimilate to English-speaking culture. It is a short leap to assume that language immersion software, such as Rosetta Stone, can also be used as speech therapy for autistics. 

Visit: Rosetta Stone

Why Rosetta Stone?

Rosetta Stone is unique in language software. It implements a proven instructional learning strategy espoused by ESOL instructors and somewhat similar to the popular Direct Method of Linguistics developed in the 19th century. It was a naturalist approach, which immersed students in the target language. The objectives were speaking and listening comprehension, not translation. Vocabulary was introduced through pictures, which is ideal for people with autism. Emphasis was centered on usage and pronunciation. Students learned to write by transcribing in the target language. Rosetta Stone incorporates these and additional language learning methods.

How it Works

Rosetta Stone software enables autistics to strengthen the physical and physiological connections between the brain and oral speech. Rosetta Stone is ideally suited for this exercise, containing an audio component, which enables autistics to orally identify and correctly pronounce the words, phrases and sentences they are learning. 

Although reading sentences is easier than constructing them, the repetition of language learning software offers the physical practice needed for autistics to correctly construct grammatical and complete conversational sentences.

Independent Speech is the Goal

If autistics have a tool they can use independently, to learn their target language, they may not have to live out their lives groping for words, gradually becoming painfully and ignobly isolated. We've been using it on our autistic son, and he enjoys the activities. As parents, we feel it is one of the most relevant programs available that directly helps his language deficiencies. 

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Mozilla Foundation (aka Firefox) has a great webpage for testing all your browser plug-ins for up-to-dateness.

Visit: Plugin Check

Applications for Education

Modern sites should detect if your plug-in is outdated for you, but just in-case things are behaving a little wonky it never hurts to check once in a while.

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I have been pondering where Apple is going with these iTouch / iPad / iPhone apps and their iTunes app store. Bear with me for a bit...

I think Apple's next step is to port iPad like apps to the OS X desktop.

With OS X 10.7 Apple could lock down desktop application sales to the iTunes store (already rumored, and largely impractical), or they could port iPad like apps to the desktop providing touch screen developer tools for OS X. Apple can then build a new line of laptops and desktops with touch screen technology, thus making OS X touch applications a more attractive option than traditional OS X desktop software. 

In one fell swoop Apple could receive 30% profits of all OS X touch apps sold through their iTunes store, have more control of their desktop environment, and calm the fears of standard OS X desktop developers.

I'm just saying.

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Wolfram|Alpha is a free online computational knowledge engine that generates answers to questions in real time by doing computations on its own vast internal knowledge base. The long-term goal is to make all systematic knowledge immediately computable and accessible to everyone. This can be valuable to educators in many ways.

Visit Wolfram|Alpha:

• Education Overview
• Education Portal
• Math World for Educators
• Mathmatica for Educators
• Education Research
• Education Community

Applications in Education

I've talked about Wolfram|Alpha before, but what is new to this site this time around are lesson plans for teachers. Simple add a /educators after the URL and you can browse their video gallery to learn more about how to utilize Wolfram|Alpha in the classroom. There is all sorts of demonstations on how to use Wolfram|Alpha on an electronic whiteboard, in a lab, on iPods Touches, and what subjects it is useful for.

Lessons are available in:

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If you have a students (or a child) that loves to write, create, imagine then TikaTok is site you need to visit. Kick-start their imagination with their online story writing software, use their fun collection of interactive story templates, and inspire their creativity.

Visit: TikaTok

Applications in Education

You can create an account, create classes, setup your students with a username/password, and turn them loose. Students can start typing their story, select a theme, use templates, import their own art work, or use provided clipart. You can export their masterpiece as Adobe PDF (free) or publish it as a book (not free).

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Apple's laptop charger has not changed much since it debuted at MacWorld 2006. The unique MagSafe attachment has saved my laptop when others (and myself) have tripped over the cord, detaching itself harmlessly. That being said, I've found the whole apparatus and its tiny little clip unwieldy to manage. The cords never stay wrapped up, and despite trying various knots when I reach for it in my bag it's always tangled mess.

Today I tried something different. When I got home and pulled everything from my bag the charger was as I left it (see picture below).

Is this what Apple designers had in mind?

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Honda is a company founded by a dreamer. In his honor, Honda has created a series of short documentary films celebrating those that have the courage to turn failure into success, and to forge dreams into a better future. 

Visit: Honda.com

Applications for Education

From scientist to racecar drivers, engineers to creative visionaries, the people in this film series are taking risks, learning from their mistakes, and daring to fail.

Can you think of any better message for your students?

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Jemendo allows musicians to upload their music for others to stream, download, listen to, and review. 

Visit: Jemendo.com

Applications for Education

If you are tired of Apple's offerings via GarageBand, take a look at Jemendo. For students that are developing videos, podcasts, or simply would like to listen to something new Jemendo fits the bill. There is a substantial collection of music using the Creative Commons license, which may or may not make it legal for student use so be sure to read the license carefully.

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Mouse Mischief is a tool that Microsoft makes available free of charge, and that allows teachers to work with Microsoft Office PowerPoint to make interactive presentations. With Mouse Mischief, teachers can add multiple choice questions to their presentations, and large groups of students can answer the questions using mice connected to the teacher’s PC.

Visit: Microsoft.com

Applications for Education

Mouse Mischief not only gives students the ability to engage, have fun, and learn in new, interactive ways, but it also provides teachers with a more affordable alternative to purchasing expensive student response systems, commonly known as clickers, by letting students use affordable wired or wireless USB mice that their school already own.

Special teacher controls allow the teacher to disable student’s mouse cursors, navigate between slides, set timers, and more. With Mouse Mischief the teacher is always in control, whether there are two or 25 cursors on the screen.

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The education section of PBS Parents offers resources and ideas for teaching basic mathematics, reading, and science to children from age pre-K through first grade.

Applications for Education

If you're an early childhood educator looking for educational resources to recommend to parents to use at home with their kids, PBS Parents should be on your list. It was required to create an account to view all their material, but I was able to find items on birthdays, child development, education, fun and games, healthy living, issues and advice, tv programs, and your own page to store favorites (thus the registration).

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I am always on the lookout for a simple, easy, effective blogging system. I mean really, who has not dreamed of updating their blog or website by simply sending an email? Well, look no further as Posterous does exactly that.

Visit: Posterous.com

What does it do?

Posterous allows you to update your blog via your email. It even allows you to attach video, music, photos, and files to your email and they all magically appear on your blog. Posterous has several themes, colors, and allows customization of templates.

Applications for Education

Posterous could used for creating a classroom blog (think student participation). If you are working on a group project you can grant permission to students via their email address - no username or password required. You can grant granular permission to students (so you can approve work before going live), and posting via email prevents students from overwriting each other's work.

Pretty amazing technology when you think about it, and yet at the same time incredibly simple.

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Duck Duck Go is a new search engine with less garbage and better results. Here's how they do it:

• They offer Zero-click Info showing useful content on result pages.
• They label official sites and always put them on top.
• Special pages disambiguate search terms.

Visit: DuckDuckGo.com

Applications for Education

This is a very clean, simple search engine that is ideal for education because of three things:

• Safe search is enabled by default. Once you lock in safe search, the IP address is recorded on their server and the option to turn off safe search is never an option again.
• The interface and name is easy to use and remember.
• It is free from advertising and clutter.

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Teachers need ammunition to help motivate students to stay in school, study hard, and set high goals. The latest employment statistics go a long way to showing how important staying in school really is.

Visit: The Jobless Rate for People Like You

The following numbers (for ages 25-44) speak for themselves - stay in school!

Unemployed Males

• not a high school graduate = 15.2%
• high school graduate = 10.2%
• college graduate = 4.3%

Unemployed Females

• not a high school graduate = 16.6%
• high school graduate = 8.1%
• college graduate = 4.2%

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Alaska HDTV is proud to announce the arrival of their first iPhone app. 

Visit: iTunes Store today +AlaskaHDTV.com

What is it?

Get the latest Alaska travel adventure video episodes from the Alaska HDTV podcast and videos from other great destinations PLUS bonus features such as:

• Wallpaper images of Alaska
• Exclusive bonus videos and interviews
• Monthly news and updates

Educational Applications

You can purchase an AV cable for the iPhone/iPod Touch and hook it up to a TV, LCD projector, or simply watch on your tiny mobile screen at your convenience. I used Alaska HDTV when I taught life science - finding it perfect for sparking general discussions about local plants, history, hikes, culture, and adventure.

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 This fellow is a master of technology integration.

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Software Description

Rowmote Pro adds a wireless touchpad and keyboard - complete with landscape mode, two finger scrolling and right clicking, dragging, accented / extended character support, and more to your computer using your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Visit: Rowmote.com

My Experience

I was able to connect to my laptop easily enough - merely type in the IP and bind using a 4 digit key. The application worked as advertised allowing me to use the device like an Apple remote + use my iPhone like a touch pad, launch apps, and click through slides in keynote.

Applications for Education

If you do a lot of presentations, showing clips from an LCD, or simply need to control your computer without having to constantly run back to the keyboard this is the app for you.

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Site Description

Creating a flash card set is fun and easy on Quizlet! The free online software allows you to search for pre-exisitng flashcards, build your own, and even create groups for your class, school, or district.

Visit: Quizlet.com

My Experience

Brainflare is the brainchild of Andrew Sutherland, a 17-year-old high school junior. He started Quizlet in October 2005. More recently, he founded Brainflare to handle the business aspects of running Quizlet. He employs his father Howard as CFO/Secretary.

Story: About Andrew Sutherland

Applications for Education

Quizlet has many teacher-friendly features. You can use it to:

• Give your students a study tool that’s both powerful and fun, encouraging them to learn.
• Share study materials online with your classes.
• Generate photocopy-ready flashcards or tests for in-class distribution.
• Host a group where your students can create and discuss study materials for your class.
• Notify students by email when you’ve posted new study materials.
• See what other teachers are teaching in your subject area.

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Site Description

Mathletics is the next generation in learning, helping students enjoy math and improve their results. It is the essential curriculum-based resource for students at school and home.

Visit: Mathletics.com

My Experience

I have a friend that lives in Christchurch, New Zealand who informed me Mathletics was part their national math curriculum and that their daughter was using it daily to subsidize her lessons. He was really impressed with the software and recommended I give it a whirl. I signed up for a 30 day trial account, and liked it so much I purchased an account for our oldest boy.

Applications for Education

Mathletics has curriculum geared for K-8. The lessons are highly visual, fun, and progress one step at a time with exercises, quizzes, feedback, combined with several games, competitions, and activities to keep it interesting.

• Students love it, becoming highly motivated to improve.
• Weekly reports emailed to parents.
• Works out to about $2 per week.

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