Innovative educational tools and approaches have been largely responsible for the enhanced rate of learning, retention, and growth for students everywhere. Since the adoption of popular technologies for the classroom, educators have been better equipped to instruct, share resources, and even adapt their lesson plans for online learning. With the utilization of voice-enabled technology in the classroom, modern schooling has grown more equitable, personalized, and efficient for students of every background.
Where does education and the use of voice assistants intersect?
With their many applications, voice assistants have revolutionized the way in which users learn and grow in various contexts. Considering the widespread integration of technological tools throughout American classrooms, educational environments certainly use this kind of technology. Using intuitive, human-like voice features, voice assistants like the well-known Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are incredibly powerful tools for enhancing an already tech-dependent education for millions of students.
From promoting equitable learning spaces to offering students the ability to continue to grow outside of the classroom, voice assistants are frequently utilized to make learning a more efficient and valuable experience.
THE APPLICATIONS
INCREASED EDUCATIONAL ACCESSIBILITY
With an increasing awareness of learning differences, cultivating an inclusive learning environment has become a top priority for educators, administrators, and parents alike. Whether in the classroom or a home study space, the many capabilities of voice assistants can be leveraged to create a more comfortable and equitable learning space for all students. For example, Alexa or Google Assistant may be used to play auditory aids, such as white noise or other sounds to enable concentrated study time.
GUIDANCE OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM
As many users already know, voice assistants provide access to an inconceivable amount of information with the ease of a simple utterance. Naturally, this capability is well-suited for learning, seeing as users can ask a question and receive the answer in mere seconds.
Say a 4th-grade student is reading a novel that the class will soon be tested on. They come across the word “juvenile,” a word that they’ve definitely seen before but cannot remember the definition of. Pausing to consult their family’s Amazon Alexa across the room, the student is able to learn the definition and confidently continue reading and comprehending the assigned passage.
Even without the convenience of having a nearby teacher, tutor, or parent to ask questions related to their learning, students are able to seek information with the help of easy-to-use voice assistants, greatly improving their rate of learning. When students are equipped with voice-enabled technology, aspects of their learning can grow more autonomous. This application is particularly relevant with the rise of virtual learning in circumstances where in-person instruction is not yet safe for students and educators.
PRACTICES MAKES PERFECT
Repetition is key toward retention and mastery, which is why voice assistants are the perfect tool to practice for upcoming assessments. As students prepare for tests, they can utilize various voice applications in order to prompt themselves with questions on the topic or check their work by seeking the correct answer. Training and learning using voice-enabled technology gives students the opportunity to ensure their own mastery of basic competencies and subjects even while outside of the physical classroom. For students of all ages preparing for tests, state assessments, and college entrance exams, these practical applications are essential to content proficiency and developing necessary test-taking skills.
The implementation of voice applications in learning environments truly showcases the versatility of modern technology. When applied with the intention to reimagine outdated learning practices and embrace the use of innovative tools where possible, voice assistants have the capability to replace outdated methods once used in the classroom. When utilizing tools like voice-enabled technology, schools prepare their students for a digital future while also providing ways to assess their progress and ensure holistic student development.