Module 4: Babylon

The Dictionary! The simplest of assistive technology tools--downloading and using Babylon for SEN students.

Module 4 will focus on downloading and using the Babylon site and dictionary, especially with the features that help students with special educational needs negotiate difficult text. In addition to using Bablyon as a translation dictoinary, its "Say It" tool offers students a chance to hear words and phrases, which can aid their comprehension. And even though the interface is in the form of an image (inaccessible to blind or severely visually impaired, or others who use screen readers) there are many options for configuring the interface to make it user-friendly for SEN students.

So let's go! Download Babylon!

Babylon will offer you the option to download English, as well as many translation languages as you want.

Downloading advice:

Read through this directions before you begin downloading.

• The Download page will offer you the option of a paid banner or ad free version of Babylon, or the free version with ads. We use the version with ads that is free at the Center, and students become accustomed very quickly to ignoring extraneous information.
• Read the description very carefully on the download site. This page also offers the option of using a download manager and choosing your downloading site, but I have found that it doesn't take too long to download Babylon.
• The above page also has an installation guide--click on the menu item on the right..
• Your Babylon download should include the languages that you want to download, as well as a text-to-speech tool. However, you may have to download and install this separately after you have completed the download of the main Babylon Program.
  Click here to Download text-to-speech. Note that you can choose a female voice or male voice, or both.
• Babylon also offers the option of building a glossary with Babylon Builder. Check it out later.
• When downloading, you will be offered the option to open the file, or to save it to disc. I usually save downloaded files to my Desktop, so I can find them easily...then install them to the directory I choose (usually Programs; name of Program) after the Download is complete.

Exploring Babylon

Once you have completed the installation, begin to explore the program. Before you begin, remember in Module 1 where I asked you to jot down notes as you explored the "Basics" of the Control Panel. I said:

I recommend that you open a Word document, and keep notes for yourself as you go through this tutorial. A table is a good device to copy and paste the instructions or advice, side-by-side with your own notes about how you might use this advice in your classes, and in developing the material for this module.

This is a good time to open that file, or start a new document to collect your thoughts.

Configuration

Open Babylon, and note that the Babylon icon should appear on the right bottom corner of your computer. It will remain there until you close the program. Right mouse-click on the icon, and choose Configuration from the menu. The Configuration has several important features that you will need to set for your personal use as you explore, and many with implications for you students. It is one of the menus that you should teach them to use.

1. General--has two important features for your students:
   • Always use last user-defined window size. If you have many students using one computer throughout the day or week, this is an important function related to the third menu item, Appearance, below. The student will be setting the size of the window.
   • Minimize Bablyon is important, since some SEN students experience coordination problems when first beginning to use the computer. If Babylon automatically "minimizes" it will save students from feeling that they have to close the window every time they finish with one translation, and move on in the text.
   
   
   
2. Find is the place where you will define how you activate Bablyon.
   • To Activate Find allows you to choose which mouse plus keyboard key combination you will use to open Babylon. This varies, depending on what key combinations you have chosen for other programs. For example, I use "Shift + Right" click at home. But I usually use "Control + Right" click at school. You will need to experiment with this.
   • Appearance is an important feature for our students. Note that you can change the text size for both English and the translation language(s) you have chosen. It is important to test the size with the size of the Babylon box on the screen later.
     
     
   • Voice menu, you can choose female or male voice, if you have downloaded both, as well as the echo for the voice by choosing Hall, Stadium, etc. and speed. The speed lever is an important tool for students.

   Check out the other menu items, and don't forget to record your reflections and findings on your Word document.

Menu language allows you to set the Babylon menu you are working with now in English or another language, including Hebrew.

Using Babylon
Now we are ready to "use" Babylon with an eye towards how you will train your students. Here are some thoughts:

• Babylon can be activated simply by clicking on any word--it does not have to be highlighted. This is sometimes difficult for students to understand, and they studiously highlight the word they want translated with their mouse. To "wean" them of this practice, you might suggest that they can double click on the word.
• This is a good time to note that based on the size of the text, you will need to adjust the size of the Babylon window. This takes some practice for students sometimes. They also need help on how to scroll the window.
• Make sure the languages that you chose appear. If not, adjust them in "My List"
• Make sure your text-to-speech tool is working, and that the speed and volume are OK.
• Explore the "Web" and "Glossary" buttons.

And now for some important instructional issues:

1. Parts of Speech. It should be apparent that in order to use Babylon, like any other dictionary, students will need to learn parts of speech, in order to select the right meaning. This is an excellent point for preparatory activities for students.
2. Babylon tends to be much more flexible than the word dictionary: it will generally give you meanings for compound words, plural, etc., whereas Word is a purist: students have to know "prefix-root-suffix" pretty well to operate in that environment.
3. A disadvantage of Babylon is that it is basically an image--you can't copy and paste definitions. Another disadvantage, of course, is that it is inaccessible for screen and text readers.
4. I teach my students that the "Say It" tool is like a mini-screen reader. You can actually copy and paste a whole phrase or sentence into the window, and hear it.

Your assignment

Your assignment for this module on Babylon is two part:

• You should immediately post some reflections on the forum about new uses you discovered for Babylon that apply to SEN, or some concerns you have about this AT. You can take these reflections from the journal I recommended that you use in Exploring the program. You can also use the forum to post any technical questions about downloading problems or installations.
• One of the parts of the project I am asking you to complete for Modules 4, 5, & 6 must include an activity for students that will assist them in learning how to use Babylon, and integrating its use in their work. See Your assignment--project

  I have posted a few powerpoint slides of the Babylon screens in case you want to use them in your activities. Babylon Powerpoint Screenshots

  And feel free to contact me about any aspect of this assignment. Contact Ellen

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