Skype

Skype is a free online communication tool where you can place calls to other people's computers in order to connect with them. While talking, both people are able to view each other. Skype demonstates all three E's. Skype can make communication more efficient because you are able to talk and see each other at the same time. This allows for both visual and verbal communication. Skype is effective because it can allow students to connect with other students who are learning the same course content. They will be able to discuss their common problems and solutions for assignments. Skype can also enhance student’s learning because it will allow them to see the person’s environment in which they are communicating from. For example, if they are skyping with someone outside of the country they will be able to view their culture and surroundings.
There are some disadvantages to using Skype. By allowing the other person to see you, each person loses a sense of privacy that normal telephone calls include.
Also if your computer does not have a webcam or speakers, then you are not able to communicate with Skype. Another disadvantage is that it is bothersome to the people who are around you. They can both see and hear your conversation which can become irritating.
Even though there are some disadvantages, there are many more advantages of using Skype. Overall Skype is a great communication tool and can be very helpful when communicating with people from other parts of the world.

Assistive Technology-Narrator

One assistive technology that may be used in my future classroom on a Windows Vista computer would be Narrator. Narrator would be used for students with visual disabilities. Narrator is a text-to-speech program that will read texts on the screen and describe some events (such as error messages) by navigating using the keyboard. To use narrator you need to turn on the sound and you can listen to it aloud or you may use headphones. You would need to use headphones if it was being used in a class setting so you would not disturb the other students.

To open Narrator you go to Control Panel, Ease of Acces, Ease of Access Center. Once you are there you will see a screen like the one below.

Once you have opened that you will then click Start Narrator. You then will see the box titled Microsoft Narrator.

You may edit settings from this box. You can have it Echo User's keystokes, Announce System Messages, Announce Scroll Notifications, and Start Narrator Minimized. You may also change the Voice settings. You could choose different people's voices. You can also edit the speed, volume, and pitch of the sound.

Narrator would be effective to use for students with visual disabilities. If you wanted them to read something on the computer then you could have them use narrator and it could read it to them. Also if they were typing something on the computer they could use narrator in order to hear certain error messages that may occur while using the computer.