MEDIA TECHNOLOGY TOOL: TEXT/IMAGES

Copyfish is a free Optical Character Recognition (OCR) using either Chrome or Firefox browsers. The application then can copy, paste, and translate text from any image, video, or PDF (Copyfish, 2018).  There are many educational benefits when using this tool in the classroom. Teachers benefit because they can quickly transfer needed text digitally without retyping and citing the work. If schools use the Microsoft Office One Note Class Notebooks, the text can be transferred easily into either professional development notebooks or student notebooks. When the text is transferred, it is automatically referenced which makes it easy when citing work or referring to the original source. In addition, many times student assignments require them to digitally transfer artifacts into their Class Notebooks, a Word document, or a PowerPoint. For example, in statistics students will need to transfer data, a dotplot, a histogram, or graph to their Class Notebook or Word document with their analysis and turn the assignment in electronically.

The use of Copyfish also meets the ISTE-Student Standard: Creative Communicator because students can use tools and digital media to meet their goals (ISTE Student, 2016).

Students can use Copyfish to create and present their learning in ways that are meaningful to them. Being able to digitally transfer work and turn in work gives students the freedom to demonstrate their learning creatively which increases engagement. Many times, students’ complete assignments and add pictures or drawings using the various applications available to them. Using an OCR tool, enables students to spend their class time creating and thinking about the material instead of tediously typing questions and answers. Also, for those students that have difficulty writing, keyboarding, or reading, an OCR tool can provide the needed modification to ensure that they are successful in the classroom (Zabala, 2018).  

Copyfish is published under the GPL-source license which is always a plus in education. There are other technology specifications listed for Copyfish, but those appear to be for people who would like to explore the application further. The app is easy to download to the Chrome or Firefox browser and appears to be easy to use with little instruction.