The new Speak Agent version 3.8.0 updates the Read Along, Scrambled Sentences, and Scrambled Words activities with engaging new designs, usability, and accessibility enhancements. Here are the details:
Updates to Learning Activities
Read Along
- Upgraded with a modern, clean look and feel that makes better use of space on the screen and appeals to all ages.
- Improved usability of the text magnification and dimmer switch accessibility features.
- Improved usability of the highlighter tool and added 14 new colors.
- Enhanced the voice recording option to support up to three audio files for each page as part of a student’s answer.
Scrambled Sentences & Words
- Enhanced the fun, game-like elements of the Scrambled Sentences and Scrambled Words activities.
- Added a text magnification option and increased the size of puzzle pieces for improved accessibility.
- Improved usability and accessibility with manipulation of word puzzle pieces and corrective feedback.
- Reduced cognitive load for students solving long sentences by hiding emptied puzzle slots.
- Added a progress indicator on the left sidebar.
Teacher Features
Inbox Filtering
Narrowed the filter for Inbox items in order to exclude submissions from a teacher’s view if they are not immediately relevant to that teacher. For example, a math teacher will not see their students’ submissions that are “in progress.”
Assign a Lesson to Multiple Classes
Teachers may now assign to multiple classes from a lesson page. Simply press the Assign to Class button and select more than one class before pressing Add Details.
Assigning to multiple classes works best if you wish the assignment to have the same start/due date and required activities for both/all classes. If you wish to modify any other those details, you should assign the lesson separately to each class. Note: This update was technically included in version 3.7.2, but did not make it into the release notes.
Security Change
Users who have Speak Agent auto-remember their login will need to sign in on a more frequent basis than was previously the case. Users who sign in through Clever or other SSO may continue to sign in normally.
Performance Improvements
- Streamlined the Preview mode in order to speed up the loading of activities for teachers.
What’s Next?
Next, we are working on a new Screen Reader mode that will enhance the audio experience for students who turn on this accessibility setting. We are also exploring ways to improve lesson search, enhance the Drawing Board and My Voice activities, and to improve reporting.
As always, we’d love to hear from you if you’d like to share feedback on the new features or share your wishlist. So please don’t hesitate to contact your support team!
