Amazon Echo Dot in the Classroom
Are you using the Amazon Echo Dot in the classroom? If not, I need for you to ask yourself why? This is the perfect way to save yourself loads of time. Here are 30 fun ways to use an Amazon Echo or “Alexa” in the Classroom. In addition, this Amazon Echo review helps teachers find the perfect fit for Alexa in their classroom.
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Amazon Echo Dot
In this video I list 30 ways to start using Alexa in your classroom today. For instance, my favorite tip is that she can pick a random number for your flexible grouping. While filming this video, I kept remembering why I used the Amazon Echo Dot in the classroom. Do you live in a busy town? Fear no more, Alexa can help navigate you through traffic and so much more. Secondly, do you ever feel like you are being rushed to organize your students in groups? Another tip, the Amazon Echo dot can quickly and effectively group your students for you without wasting precious teaching time. As a teacher, I understand the importance of every single second of your days is and I want to help you accomplish as much as you can in the classroom.
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Amazon Experience
After reviewing the Amazon Echo Dot on my Youtube Channel, I was contacted by Amazon! Luckily, I got to fly to New York and chat with teachers as a television host on Amazon Live. Undoubtedly, it was such an amazing experience. You can watch the vlog all about it here.
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Check out more tips and teaching tricks on my blog here.
Hi!
Could you please share your checklist for the Echo? I can’t seem to access it with the link.
Thanks!
Susie
I updated the link Susie!
Do you have a link to the alexa checklist? I am unable to get the checklist. Thank you!
Check out the new link I added! I hope this helps!
The checklist link is still not working, it takes you to a dead page.
Use the link now. It will be emailed straight to your inbox.
I can’t find the checklist. Is it still available?
Good morning Tana,
All you have to do is click the link and fill in your email. The checklist will go straight to your inbox. I hope this helps.
It goes through to TpT site but is still inaccessible.
Hey Casey, once you click the link you’ll be prompted to enter your email. The checklist will be sent to your inbox. Hope this helps!
I got the list, but how do you do the things you listed?
Great video! Would love your checklist!
I cant locate the checklist from the link or your TpT.
Hey Tara! You should have received an email after filling out the form. Once you click “get checklist” it’ll email it to your inbox. ๐
Hey Tara! Check your inbox and confirm your subscription. It will arrive then! Check your spam folder too. Hope that helps.
Hey! My district has some concerns about us using these in the classroom regarding student privacy. Did you deal with this at all? How did you handle it?
The link to download the list is not working.
You should have received an email after filling out the form. Once you click “get checklist” it’ll email it to your inbox. ๐
Hey Wendy, once you fill out the form, check your email!
Today is my first day with an Echo Dot in my classroom….I teach kindergarten. This tool is amazing. We spent almost an hour teaching the students how to wake it up and speaking clearly enough to be recognized. Then it occurred to me. I created a new list called Tattletales.
I taught them how to add a tattletale to the list and I’ll look them over at night. What a help.
That’s so awesome Sarah! Thank you so much for sharing. Let me know if you need me.
Do you know how it would work with the Alexa app to have an Echo at home and at school? I don’t want to link the two speakers, but it would be based off the app on the same iPhone… Thanks!
Question | November 7, 2020 from Jennifer C.
Greetings:
It’s important teachers/students are aware of the harm being done when using a human name for a voice assistant. Many people don’t realize the repercussions until it’s brought to their attention. Even our group didn’t realize the damage that was being done until we started researching this issue. https://alexaisahuman.com/
There is absolutely no blame here, rather an opportunity to increase awareness and positive educational impact. We, as teachers, can do better by modeling an appropriate path when using voice assistants. Amazon simply doesn’t understand child development. Amazon is currently ignoring multiple requests to examine the outcomes but they’re fully aware it’s a problem. Amazon is currently disregarding how this has affected Alexas and their families worldwide. That speaks volumes about their business ethics.
Many technologists/experts in the field are also aware of what’s happening, including former members of the original “Alexa” team. The problem is evident. How to solve it on a large scale remains to be seen. Teachers, on the other hand, do understand child development, thus, modeling appropriate usage is imperative in order to change the trajectory for Alexas & the future in voice education. Educators have the power to influence change in the education sector while it remains an ethical mess in the technology sector.
Here’s a simple but important request: Instead of using “Alexa” consider using Amazon or Computer moving forward. No child’s name should be highlighted in a subservient manner. Why, you ask?
Consider perusing the content of what’s happening worldwide as a result of Amazon choosing a person’s name, in this case, Alexa. This is just a snippet. https://alexaisahuman.com/
Approx. 80,000 Alexas under the age of 18 are at risk. Our group has **numerous anecdotal data points of Alexas experiencing harassment, name changes, continuous jokes, restrictions, bullying, teachers laughing at them, job impact, name bombardment, etc. This is not your typical “kids will be kids” teasing simply because of the ubiquity of this product. “Alexa” is everywhere. Cars, homes, ear buds, toilets, glasses, talk sockets, etc.
What stories, you ask?
?There are parents of young Alexas & adult Alexas worldwide who have or will be going through legal name changes. Yes, legal name changes.
?There is a 13-year-old former Alexa in Europe who was bullied so badly that her parents changed her name and school this past summer. She also expressed suicidal thoughts. She’s finally experiencing relief because she’s no longer Alexa.
?There are Alexas experiencing an increase in anxiety due to continuous harassment in multiple settings.
?There’s a 5-year-old Alexa who told her Mom she doesn’t want to go to anyone’s house that has the device because people will laugh at her. 5 years old. She was 1 when Amazon released the product. Imagine if Amazon had chosen your daughter’s name. What names are next? Google vs. Alexa; vastly different outcomes. Why?
?There are Alexas who have been asked to use a nickname to avoid setting off the device. (i.e. by teachers/professors)
?Alexas are now experiencing continuous interruptions and jokes in Zoom meetings.
?There are teachers who have had a student named Alexa and made fun of the situation.
?There are Alexas who are now using their middle name or a different name on name tags to avoid scrutiny/jokes at work.
?There are young Alexas in counseling due to relentless bullying b/c of their name. One is 12 years old.
?There is a former Alexa who now goes by Aria because of the continuous scrutiny by both children and adults. She had to learn how to write her new name.
?These are just a very small snippet of the stories we’re encountering as we push for change.
Our recommendation to UNESCO and other education agencies is to eliminate the use of human names for voice assistants in the education sector. The data/outcomes drives this recommendation.
Collectively, educators have the power to support Alexas worldwide and demonstrate that tolerance for these outcomes is unacceptable. Amazon may choose to not listen, but that doesn’t mean teachers have to follow suit. Best practices in education means doing better when you become aware of a problem.
How can you become a part of the solution you ask? Use Amazon or Computer instead as the wake word in your classroom & explain why you’re making that change. If kids knew the outcomes, no doubt, they would want to be a part of the solution, not the problem. It’s really THAT simple.
Consider having your class sign a pledge for change & sharing the link. “I Pledge to Change the Wake Word From Alexa to Amazon or Computer.” https://alexaisahuman.com/i-pledge
Consider also signing the petition for change. Show Alexas they matter too.
https://www.change.org/p/amazon-alexa-is-a-human-using-her-name-in-a-subservient-manner-is-not-okay-replace-it-with-a-non-human-name-partnering-companies-keep-the-amazing-technology-demand-a-non-human-wake-name-it-s-offensive-and-degrading-changethewakename
If you’re still reading and digesting this, thank you. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at humanalexas@yahoo.com and I’m happy to answer them.
What steps could be taken to rectify this issue?
Thanks and Regards,
Jennifer (humanalexas@yahoo.com)