When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe
and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and
demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical)
and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The
combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online
learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will
describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction
and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post
we will discuss how I Speech (also called Select and Speak) a web tool extension that can be
added to the Chrome browser which converts text into speech, can be used to promote
instruction in the blended learning secular and Judaic Studies classroom.
Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has an interactive white board (i.e. SMART
Board, Promethean, etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a
computer presenter or computer with internet access attached to an LCD projector
in the classroom. It would be ideal if students or mentees had access to their
own laptop computers or Ipads. Given parental and school approval, and the
development of specific guidelines, smartphones can be used to enhance
instruction as well.
Note: Although I Speech can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning
classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service
Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that
Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share
an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of
instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want
to join.
What is I Speech?
I Speech is an extension
that can be added to the Chrome browser; this extension converts text to
speech.
What is a Chrome
extension?
A Chrome extension is
software program that can modify and enhance the functionality of the Chrome
browser. For more information on Chrome extensions click on this link: https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/index.html
Where is I Speech
located on the internet?
How the Chrome extension, I Speech, can be used
to promote instruction in the Judaic Studies and secular blended learning
classroom
Click on one the links below and watch a
demonstration on how the Chrome extension, I Speech, can be used to promote
instruction in the face to face and secular and Judaic Studies classroom.
On the
next post we will discuss another Chrome extension that converts text to
speech, Chrome Speak.
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