AbleNet Inc.
image: www.mayer-johnson.com
Description
The AbleNet BookWorm Literacy Tool is a voice output reading device used to support children with cognitive, speech and vision disabilities. Reading material is clipped to the device. Each page can be tagged with stickers to coincide with user-created audio files of the book’s text. There is a memory card (only one included) that saves the digital audio that is preread from the book. There is enough space on the memory card for four picture books and two text-rich books. Multiple memory cards can be purchased to create a library of books to be used with the BookWorm. Children can activate the audio files with the touch of a button or through the used of a peripheral switch (not included). There is also a jack for headphones (not included) for private listening. The device uses four AA batteries.
Dimensions
The unit is 8.5 x 8.25 x 2.1 inches.
Weight: 1.5 pounds.
Approximate cost: ~$180-$250
Who needs this technology?
K-3 students who need support during independent reading. Any students that would like to be read to when there isn’t a fluent reader available. For students who have difficulty communicating needs, it comes with Mayer-Johnson symbols. It also allows a student who has difficulty with speech, to “read” a book to others.
What does research say about its effectiveness?
There is no research available about the use or effectiveness of the BookWorm. Any research cited is related to the importance of students self-selecting books of interest and being able to have books read to them if they are unable to read the books independently. Also, there is not much research available about the skills that children may need when reading using digital technologies, such as the BookWorm.
How will it help learning and participation in an inclusion setting?
Being that there is no research basis for this product, I will provide some assumed benefits. For learning, I feel it will allow students the ability to independently explore books they are interested in, thus increasing their motivation to read. We all know motivation is a significant force in students learning literacy skills. This product can give a student access to the same texts as other students in a K-3 learning environment (any older I would suggest book software programs for a computer). The student would be able to exercise retelling and critical thinking skills without need of decoding and sight word skills.
Would you recommend its use?
I would use this product in a K-3 classroom due to its ease of use. It would take much time to load the memory card with texts, but it would be worth the time to give struggling readers or communicators the ability to perform the same reading tasks as other students in the class.I like that student get to use actual books and not use a digital copy.
Instructional videos for the use of the BookWorm
Created by Disctrict 75, New York City Department of Education
Part 1 - 3
http://schools.nycenet.edu/d75/technology/assistive/Device/wormA.htm
http://schools.nycenet.edu/d75/technology/assistive/Device/wormB.htm
http://schools.nycenet.edu/d75/technology/assistive/Device/wormC.htm
2 comments:
I love the idea that even those with comunnication difficultites can do a read aloud with this. How does the product work? Would the teacher be recording the sound files? How do you decide where to put each file?
The device has audio input capabilities. The teacher records herself reading the book. She has to make sure each audio recording is assigned to the correct page. Magnets on each page help the device decide what audio file to output.
After watching the online video demonstration from District 75, I am confident that the device is easy to program.
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