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Alexa is a virtual intelligence assistant from Amazon. It is a voice controlled search device (an evolved Siri). She comes in a variety of device styles! The assistant is activated by speaking, "Alexa..." followed by a command. Now, with Amazon's Echo Show 5, Alexa can SHOW you things. It's also, in my opinion, portable and priced at a point that is possible for individual purchase for your speech room (especially if you took advantage of Amazon Prime Day:). Echo Show 5 is Alexa with visual supports! You know how I feel about visual supports and what SLP can't use a virtual assistant! You also need a power source and a WIFI connection for your device in order to benefit from Alexa.
Let's start with some ways in which Alexa is being used in classrooms:
- Playing music, especially ambient noises or 60 bpm background music.
- Setting timers.
- Setting reminders.
- Choosing students by selecting a random number.
- Rolling dice.
- Reading aloud. Alexa can read audio books or internet articles.
- Morning meeting use for checking the date, weather, and current events. You can even check out the weather in other parts of the world!
- Checking out current events or NPR (National Public Radio).
- Checking sports stats for all those future statisticians.
- Self-checking of math facts.
- Asking Alexa to spell words.
- Providing word definitions or gaining synonyms/antonyms.
- Asking Alexa research questions. She can also read research off of any website.
- Translating languages.
- Using a word of the day.
- Giving messages to your class.
- Playing games like Simon Says, Jeopardy, Rock Paper Scissors, Tic Tac Toe, or the Magic Door.
Now that my Amazon Echo Show 5 is on its way, I'm doing a little planning for ways in which I will use her within my speech therapy sessions. I was hoping she would accept a name change, "Hey Sparklle..." has a nice sound to it, but since she can only accommodate Alexa, Echo, Computer, or Amazon, I will keep her as is!
Here are some initial ideas for using Alexa in my speech room and speech therapy sessions:
- Above all, my students are working on effective communication, which involves clear articulation, organized messages, and precise use of vocabulary. Since she responds to voice commands, my students must continue to improve their communication skills in order to effectively communicate with Alexa. They may be required to slow rate, adapt the structure, and rephrase what is initially spoken. We are all a work in progress and while communication breakdown may be encountered, having a breakdown with Alexa may be perceived better as she has such a sweet disposition.
- Listening to jokes. Jokes are a great way to teach conversational turn taking, especially using knock knock jokes. I also like to use jokes to work on multiple meaning words. Jokes are great for articulation in conversation, too. They are highly motivating for students, as well!
- I envision using Alexa to help with self-regulation. My room is adjacent to the sensory room and I co-treat social skills groups with the OT. By setting a timer and having students choose a tool that might help with calming down (music, ambient noise, games, counting, etc.), it will reduce the adult to student verbal interaction and allow more student independence of choosing calming tools.
- Visually and auditorily displaying word definitions. I work a lot on defining Tier 2 vocabulary with my students as words are encountered in their everyday texts within the classroom. Asking Alexa to define and SHOW the meaning will reach a new level in vocabulary therapy.
- I am certain Alexa can support my students with their syntax. I'll be looking for a skill that will provide another way to say a sentence or a spoken grammar check.
- Having conversations with my students while using Alexa for conversation starters or to gain more knowledge on a topic to help add comments and questions to conversations is also a way I see Alexa being a great SLP assistant.
- The Echo Show can display YouTube videos from the web browser. I love using books in therapy sessions and I have pinned several online read alouds on my Pinterest page. While I know my other devices are great for this purpose, creating student independence as well as efficiency when pulling up stories may be another SLP assistant job of Alexa.
- Let's not forget the value of setting timers and reminders. Timers for therapy sessions, incentives /earned time or within games/activities would be helpful. How often am I forgetting to print a homework sheet or get a new sticker chart or parent contact page. Alexa can help with the memory for sure and my students can tell her to remind me!
Heads Up-Great for describing vocabulary.
Categories-Name items in categories.
20 Questions-Answer yes/no questions.
Question of the Day-Use for starting conversations.
Would You Rather Family-I love to use Would You Rather activities for articulation at the conversation level as well as baseline gathering.
Here is a FREE resource that I created to help with teaching routines for using Alexa.
You can check out this tutorial for using the Echo Show 5 that I found when researching for this post (no affiliation). I have a lot to learn; however, the possibilities seem endless and I look forward to enhancing communication with technology even more during this school year.
Are you an experienced Alexa user? Have you used Alexa in your speech room? What do I need to know?
As always, you must protect your student’s privacy in the classroom. Make sure you do your part to ensure you are aware of privacy issues with using Alexa and follow your district's policy on introduction of any technology within the classroom. You can read this article for more pros and cons about using Alexa in the classroom. With anything, knowledge is power and setting clear expectations will support your endeavor.
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We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. All opinions are my own.
