Here’s how one teacher’s curiosity, uncovered the hidden value of voice technology in the classroom.
By: Voice Tech In Education
Tags: Startup, Edtech, Voice Assistant, Education, Teachers

When a teacher brings their own passions into the classroom, it makes their students much more engaged. Welcome to the first of a series of stories that we’ll write that shares the voices of educators using voice technology.

After 11 years of teaching, Nick R. continues to believe in making the classroom a space that is fun and exciting. He’s passionate about new technology and bringing it into the classroom.

“It’s the best job in the world.” — Nick R., 5th Grade Teacher

And it’s that mindset that led to Nick to immediately act after seeing a colleague use a smart speaker, and add an Alexa to his own classroom toolbox.

The AskMyClass (AMC) team sat down with Nick, a 5th Grade teacher in general and special education, in New Jersey, to hear more. We zeroed in on the approach he’s taking with voice technology in his classroom.

AMC: Why did you bring Alexa into the classroom?

Nick: Two reasons why. One was all about curiosity. I wanted to see how it would unfold with the students. The second was the AskMyClass program because I knew it was geared towards education. A lot of people questioned, “What is that going to do for you in your classroom?.”

“A lot of people questioned, What is that going to do for you in your classroom?” — Nick R., 5th Grade Teacher

AMC: How did you respond to that?

Nick: To be honest, I knew that AskMyClass was educationally based, but more than that, I was very curious about two questions: Would it work? How would the kids respond? Rather than letting others decide for me.

AMC: How has AskMyClass changed your classroom?

Nick: The students think of the Alexa device as another student in the classroom. The attention that the students now give to the device and the information that it gives back to the students.

AMC: I remember from a previous conversation we had that you mentioned that with Alexa in the classroom the students are more engaged. Is that still the case?

Nick: Absolutely. They could be chatting amongst themselves. So, as soon as you say that keyword “Alexa”, it’s silence. All eyes go towards in anticipation of what Alexa will say next, or what that response is going to be. It’s great because it keeps the students on their toes.

“All eyes go towards in anticipation of what Alexa will say next, or what that response is going to be. It’s great because it keeps the students on their toes.” — Nick R., 5th Grade Teacher

AMC: Why do you think they respond like that?

Nick: Because the students know that what they’ll hear will be important, like our next goal for the day, or a joke, a fable, music, or it could be anything. They get curious. You need that in 5th grade. The kids constantly need to be entertained in a sense. So, with this tool, they know that anything can happen at any time, and that’s why they are alert and constantly ready.

AMC: What have your students said about voice technology in the classroom?

Nick: They absolutely love it all. From the quick information, to hear their names being picked, the messages, the transitions, the songs. The morning after Halloween, the kids were as tired as can be, and I said, “ask My Class for a dance break”. It picked them right up. People may say, “how was that educational?”, in response, I say that “it’s bringing them back to the learning and the teaching”. That’s the key reason for this technology.

AMC: How would you describe AskMyClass to other teachers in the classroom?

Nick: Life changing in the classroom. It’s like having another member of the classroom community that can relay the academic goals, relay the wanted behaviors, and I’d also share how you can use it academically, for transitions and for pure entertainment. I’m with my students in 5th grade from start to finish. So, it is important that they are constantly moving around and being engaged. Teachers know that they need that. To be able to get that from an affordable device and an amazing software skill — it’s a win-win.

AMC: What are your favorite AskMyClass activities?

Nick: The Class Picker is my favorite. It is like the Price Is Right when they call the name and say “Come on down”. It could be just that I need you to go to the office for me to pick up something. It doesn’t matter, it is just the fact that they were called. I also love being able to give the instruction task that you can give. I start every class with an instruction task, and I usually have it say “Good morning students, we’re going to continue our work with science and so we’re going to need to be ready for…”. Even though I could say it when it comes from AskMyClass, the engagement is high, it gets the kids so much more excited. They are connecting with something they know that’s part of their lives already. We’re bringing that “pop culture” into the room, in an innovative, educational and entertaining way.

“We’re bringing that “pop culture” into the room, in an innovative, educational and entertaining way.” — Nick R., 5th Grade Teacher

AMC: Thanks Nick for taking time out to talk to us. We’re lucky to have an amazing educator like you be an early adopter of AskMyClass.

So, what’s the hidden value of voice technology in the classroom? The power of lifting student attention and engagement at a moments notice.