Kurzweil 3000 in the ELA classroom

Kurzweil 3000 is a software program that is currently in the process of being brought to the Beacon City School district to support students with disabilities in the areas of reading and writing.  The hope is to be able to implement the system in conjunction with E-text obtained with Bookshare to enhance individual students needs.  The ELA teacher that I interviewed is eager to have the Kurzweil training this Spring.  We discussed possible lessons that could be created using the system and she suggested the novel her class is currently reading, Raisin in the Sun. 

Grade Level: 10

Topic: Raisin in the Sun

Standards Addressed:

            Reading: Text complexity and the growth of comprehension

Learning Outcomes:

            Reading

·      Vocabulary: instant access to word meanings

·      Fluency: customize rate, voice and presentation

·      Comprehension: tools to embed questions

·       

Technology Needed:

·      Kurzweil 3000 Software

·      One (1) computer per student

·      Head phones

·      E-text

·      Bookshare

Timeline for Implementation: About 6-8, 46 minute class periods

How can it be integrated into the lesson: The students will individually be set up with a computer and the text read to them at there pace and voice that they prefer. The students will use the E-text obtained with Bookshare with Kurzweil 3000. The e-text version allows highlighting and extraction of key passages or terminology to make an outline or vocabulary list. When completing homework, the e-text versions allow the students to easily look up words and have the definition read. This helps increase vocabulary. With e-text books and Kurzweil 3000, the students can add additional electronic sticky notes or recorded voice notes regarding assignment’s due dates – which helps the students stay organized.

The teacher or students can make mp3 audio files out of e-text files obtained from Bookshare using Kurzweil 3000 -- which converts only selected text to an mp3 audio file using synthesized text-to-speech. This mp3 file can then be easily downloaded into a portable mp3 player or cell phone memory card.

Assessment: Kurzweil 3000 offers a test that can be given to the students to evaluate there understanding of the novel.  This will evaluate the students vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.