Easi-Speak USB Recorder {Giveaway}

Did you know there are free text to voice services available online?  I usually use Voz.me or Zamzar (if you are curious about checking them out).  It is effective for reaching auditory learners, however the voices are robotic and a bit difficult to listen to during long recordings.  The Easi-Speak USB Recorder is an amazing alternative for transferring text to voice using an AUTHENTIC voice!  Introduce your tape recorder to its’ more efficient 21^st Century counterpart!

Here are just a few of the practical applications I came up with for using the Easi-Speak:

~Have students pre-record their lines for a classroom theatre production and play it back while focusing on the actions during the presentation.

~Record the instructions for your independent work stations for students to listen to on the mini microphone. They can easily re-play the track as often as they need to in making sure they understand the instructions.

~Pair children to read books at their “just write” level and allow other students who are interested in the same books to listen and follow along to their more fluent peers.

~Invite students to record a review of a book their recently finished reading.

~Record a series of count bys (2’s, 5’s, 10’s) as a practice activity.

~Practice and record different tones to make students aware of what they are able to do with their voice (whisper, shout, high voice, low voice, singing, etc.).

~Record a speech sample to share with the specialist when considering intervention for a child.

~Turn it into a fun activity for practicing kind and positive words by passing the recorder around a circle and allow each child to add the phrases that come to their minds.

~Encourage readers to record text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections.

~Share a wordless book and allow students to narrate their own story into the Easi-Speak.

This list could go on and on!!!

My own children are memorizing a passage of scripture each month.  They look forward to reciting their passage in whole once they have it down.  This month it was especially exciting for them to make a recording of their verse using the Easi-Speak microphone.  They also all love to sing along to the radio, so I have many recordings of their karaoke versions of radio favorites sung into the Easi-Speak! 

In experimenting with sharing the recordings from the microphone to the computer I was thankful for the simplicity.  The Easi-Speak is a USB so it plugs directly into the side of my lap top for charging and for uploading recordings. 

This technology tool is a winner for increasing classroom productivity and meeting diverse learning needs. I especially appreciate the potential for encouraging reluctant readers and public speakers, as well as inspiring creativity.  Easi-Speak is the perfect size for small hands (about 4" long) and portable.  It is incredibly easy to operate for both adults and students.  The buttons are self explanatory.  The internal chargeable battery is both effort and cost effective.

GIVEAWAY:

Learning Resources, a leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational materials for classrooms worldwide and learning toys, has offered our readers the chance to win a Easi-Speak USB Recorder (retail value $69.99 )! We are really looking forward to getting this great technology tool in the hands of one of our teaching and learning families here on ABC & 123!

Entry Details:

Add your entries in the Rafflecopter widget.  This giveaway will close on Thursday, May 11th at 12:00 EST.  A winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter immediately and posted on ABC & 123 as soon as possible. The winner's Easi-Speak USB Recorder will be sent directly from Learning Resources.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teachers Take Note: 

Learning Resources has also announced the sponsorship of a teacher grant hosted by WeAreTeachers. To apply, teachers must answer this question: “How would you use portable interactive technology to create collaborative lessons?” After the application process concludes, educators can invite colleagues to vote for their favorite lesson ideas. Each of the three top vote getters will win a set of three now! Boards and three GeoSafari Tuff Cams, a prize package valued at $2,000. Additionally, two merit-based winners selected by a panel of teachers will each win one now!Board and one GeoSafari Tuff Cam, a total value of $700. Teachers can apply for the grant online through May 22, 2012. For more information and to apply for the grant, visit http://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-ideas/grant?grantId=102.

Disclaimer:  Learning Resources sent us an Easi-Speak USB Recorder in exchange for sharing about it here.  They are also providing the giveaway product.  If you would like to learn more about Learning Resources you can do so by checking out Learning Resources on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube.

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