Pocketalk devices are phone-sized translation tools that provide near real-time translations in more than 82 languages. Students can carry them in their pockets and just push a button and speak when they want to translate something or have a teacher tell them to translate.
Pocketalk devices are used in more than 1,000 schools in the US, including the Gervais School District in Oregon, which has more than 40 devices on loan to various students and families. Dr. Creighton Helms, director of student services and federal programs for the Gervais School District, says translation tools are vital in the district because more than 40 percent of students are multilingual learners.
“We tested Google Translate, but it has a lot of significant limitations,” says Helms. “You can’t just walk around the playground with a Chromebook and use Google Translate. And we have tried on-demand companies that provide interpretation support, but that ends up being more like a parent-teacher conference.”
pockettalk it was a more effective solution because of its versatility, portability, and precision, Helms says. Read on to learn more about Pocketalk and its advantages and limitations.
What is Pocketalk?
Pocketalk is a tool for translation. Say a phrase to it in English, for example, and it will respond in French or any selected language.
While the ability to work with audio alone is one of its strengths, phrases can also be typed and the device can translate writing on signs or paper thanks to a built-in camera that can scan written text.
In addition to education, the device has been marketed for business trips, as well as medical professionals who need to communicate with patients who speak different languages.
Pocketalk devices are about the size of a cell phone and can be carried, as the name suggests, in a pocket and can be used with headphones.
What are the best features of Pocketalk?
Helms says his district was drawn to Pocketalk because of its accurate translations and because it’s very student-centric and can be put in their hands and used when they need it.
“We have a very high population of limited English speaking students; they can speak social English well, but they don’t speak academic English well,” says Helms. These students can use Pocketalk when they need it and keep it in their pockets when they don’t.
“It can be useful in the classroom setting, but also on the playground or in the cafeteria, so it’s not only used for academic purposes, but it’s also used for social-emotional bonding with peers,” he says. Helms.
Another strength of the devices is that they can be used discreetly by students who can listen to a translation of a teacher’s advice through a headset without other students knowing. “Just trying to address language issues can be embarrassing for some students,” says Helms.
Finally, Pocketalk works without Internet access, so it can be taken with the student to any classroom or part of the campus without fear of losing the signal and the translator no longer working.
What are some of Pocketalk’s limitations?
As impressive as modern translation technology can be, Pocketalk is not intended to be a permanent solution for students.
In Helms ISD, devices are transitioned to different students and families based on current need and as students phase out devices as their English proficiency improves.
“It’s not meant to be a permanent fixture in their lives,” says Helms. “It is intended to help them with language acquisition, and if their English acquisition continues to increase, our goal is to gradually wean them off of these devices. So they don’t say ‘I don’t have to learn English because I have my device’. That’s not our goal at all.”
How much does Pocketalk cost?
Pocketalk devices range from $249 to $299 per devicehowever, volume discounts are available for schools and other organizations.
Pocketalk also has an app with many of the same features as Pocketalk devices available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Access to the application is free for three days. Annual subscriptions are $26.49 or monthly subscriptions are available for $2.49 per month.
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