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Assistive Technology for Literacy

Assistive Technology for Literacy. Carol O’Day, PhD, CCC-SLP SC Assistive Technology Program. Keep in mind.

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Assistive Technology for Literacy

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  1. Assistive Technology for Literacy Carol O’Day, PhD, CCC-SLP SC Assistive Technology Program

  2. Keep in mind... The equipment, software, ideas and examples presented today represent a starting place and are not specific recommendations or endorsements. The suggested intervention techniques should be implemented only after careful consideration and under ongoing consultation from a qualified professional.

  3. Screen Readers and Text to Speech Screen Readers - Developed for people with visual impairments to allow them to read the whole screen. - Read text and menus, describe graphics and give speech feedback to describe what is occurring on-screen. Text to Speech - Converts text from a computer document to speech. - For people with learning or reading problems, visual impairment, or for those who would like audio feedback from the computer.

  4. Electronic Text • Students who read electronic texts supported with definitions for difficult words, main ideas for each paragraph, background information, and simplified versions of the passages significantly outperformed those who read a basic electronic or print version. • These findings suggest that electronic text can be a highly beneficial learning tool when supportive features are used (Reinking & Schreiner, 1985).

  5. Electronic Text • Poor readers performed better offline than they did when reading online with optional reading comprehension supports. • This finding suggests that poor readers may need advisement on when and how to use online supports effectively (Reinking & Schreiner, 1985).

  6. Factors Influencing Effectiveness • Type of text to speech • Level of speech feedback • Grade Level • Educational Group For more information, go to: http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_textrans.html

  7. Type of Text to Speech • It is not clear whether digitized speech or synthetic speech of text-to-speech has an advantage over the other (Herbert and Murdock, 1994). • Research supports equivalent and in some cases greater effectiveness of recorded and digitized text-to-speech relative to live human speech (Abelson & Petersen, 1983; Montali & Landwoski, 1996).

  8. Level of Speech Feedback • Whole word, syllable, subsyllable, and single-grapheme-phoneme are effective for improving word recognition (Wise, 1992). • Onset rime, syllable, or whole word synthesized speech feedback resulted in significantly better word recognition (Olson & Wise, 1992).

  9. Grade Level • Positive effects of one form or another have been demonstrated for students in grades 2 through 9 (Nicole Strangman and Tracey Hall,National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum, 2005). • Text-to-speech feedback improved reading comprehension for readers in grades 4, 6, and 7 (Lundberg & Oloffson, 1993). • Word decoding improved for readers in grades 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 (Lundberg & Oloffson, 1993).

  10. Educational Group • Research studies have included: • below grade level students • below average students • a mixture of below and above average students • students with reading disabilities • students with learning disabilities or speech impairments • students with dyslexia or from special education classes, and • regular education students. • There is not enough overlap in the groups to correlate educational group status with the effectiveness of text-to-speech.

  11. Assessment for Text to Speech • Are students having difficulty with writing because they: - Spend little time planning? - Don't remember how to plan? - Lack effective strategies for generating content? - Don't tap into prior knowledge? - Have trouble identifying what can be improved? - Don't recognize errors and lapses in meaning? - Lack strategies and skills for solving the problems they do identify? - Make revisions that do not improve quality of text? - Need more time for editing and revision? - Have poor spelling skills? - Have difficulty applying grammatical rules? - Have unreadable handwriting?

  12. Assessment • Reading - Lexia Early Reading - Lexia Cross-Trainer: Visual-Spatial and Lexia Reading S.O.S. - Fog Readability • Writing • Phonics - Lexia Phonics Based Reading • Mathematics - Dyscalculia: Tool Factory ($400)

  13. Text to Speech • Narrator (Microsoft - free with Windows XP) (Start - Programs – Accessories – Accessibility – Narrator) - Narrator is a simple program that comes as part of Windows XP. - This program reads letters as you type (but not words), some menus and on-screen activity. It will tell you when you press “OK” or “Enter” but does not always read the text to allow you to know what it is you are OK’ing. - It also reads text in notepad and wordpad as well as on Internet pages (not in MSWord). Does not allow you to select text, so it reads the whole window – including tool bars, links and heading before getting to the text.

  14. Text to Speech • Text-to-Speech (free with Microsoft Office 2003) (Toolbar – Tools – Speech) - If you are prompted to train the speech recognition, select “cancel.” - Click the microphone icon to turn off the speech recognition feature. - The “speak text” option does not appear by default. Click on the down arrow on the right side of the toolbar. Select “speak text” (it will be added to the toolbar). Click “pause speaking” or “stop” as needed. - You may highlight text to have a specific section read out loud.

  15. Text to Speech • Microsoft Reader - Microsoft Reader for Windows (introduction) http://www.microsoft.com/reader/default.asp - Microsoft Reader Download (free) Will need to activate, then download some free books http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/pc.asp - Microsoft Reader Text-to-Speech Package (free) http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/tts.asp - Microsoft Reader Plug-In for MS Word (free - to make ebooks) http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/rmr.asp - Microsoft Encarta dictionary for Microsoft Reader for Windows http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/dictionaries.asp

  16. Text to Speech • Read Please 2003 sits in the task bar. • Download free from www.readplease.com • A formatted clipboard is designed to read text from any source. • Offers three text voices. • Highlights text as it reads. • Adjustable font size and color. • Easy to use interface with VCR-like controls.

  17. Text to Speech • Universal Reader Plus from Premier. • Download from www.premier-programming.com • Handy floating window. • Click on mouth to start reading. • Highlights text as it reads. • Works with any application. • Easy to use interface with VCR-like controls.

  18. Text to Speech • E-Text Reader 3.0 from Premier. • Download free (www.premier-programming.com) • Easy to use. • Highlights as it reads. • Can change voices. • Can change speed. • Can add bookmarks. • Make notes in the document. http://www.premier-programming.com/elib/etext_reader.htm

  19. Text to Speech • Text Aloud MP3converts text to wav or mp3 files. These files can be saved, stored and listened to (and repeated) at a time that is convenient for the user. • The interface for Text Aloud is also based on a clipboard system where text is selected by cut and paste. Text Aloud offers a huge range of editable hot keys for all of its features. www.nextup.com/TextAloud/

  20. Literacy Supports Start to Finish Books by Don Johnston, Inc. • Reinforce through the use of multiple formats: • A paperback book • A computer CD format book • An audiocassette • book Demo: http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/stfd.htm

  21. Literacy Supports Writing With Symbols 2000 Pix Writer User selects a button, the word and picture appear, and the computer speaks! Making Vocabulary Setups is Easy - Just Type! Students can read or write picture-word stories with built-in speech feedback to associate symbols with words. Sharing a common symbol set allows students to communicate with teachers and peers.

  22. Literacy Supports Kurzweil by Kurzweil Educational Systems Shows printed or electronic text on the computer screen with audible accessibility. Features include powerful decoding, study skills, writing and test-taking tools. Demo: http://www.kurzweiledu.com/k3000demo/k3000demo20.html

  23. Literacy Supports Read & Write by TextHELP! Systems Ltd. • A simple to use toolbar that “floats” on top of any open application. • Features include speech, spelling, dictionary, and word prediction support. • Can be used with most Microsoft Windows applications. • www.texthelp.com

  24. Literacy Supports WYNN Wizard and WYNN Reader by Freedom Scientific Both versions read text aloud while highlighting spoken words, include four color-coded toolbars, and provide reading, writing, studying, productivity, and Internet features. WYNN Wizard has Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities. www.freedomscientific.com

  25. Literacy Supports Dolphin Tutor by Dolphin Education Allow users to choose a way to read and write that suits them best. Students can write, read, view and check text. Has Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities. (www.dolphinaudiopublishing.com)

  26. Literacy Supports Kidspiration by Inspiration Software, Inc. Helps children express themselves visually. Useful for concept mapping.

  27. Literacy Supports Inspiration Strengthens critical thinking, comprehension, and writing.

  28. Literacy Supports Draft: Builder by Don Johnston, Inc. Helps students organize ideas, take notes and write a draft. http://donjohnston.com/

  29. Literacy Supports Autosummarize Open a Document in Microsoft Word Click on “Tools” Click on “Autosummarize” Click on “Highlight Key Points” and “OK” Create own specifications in drop-down box Click on - Show only summary - Percent of Original

  30. Literacy Supports Co:Writer by Don Johnston, Inc. • For any word processor or e-mail program. • Provides: • Word prediction • Grammar • Vocabulary

  31. Literacy Supports Clicker 5 Clicker is a powerful writing and creativity tool designed tomotivate and support children as they learn to read and write.

  32. Literacy Supports Write: OutLoud by Don Johnston, Inc. Write:OutLoud gives immediate speech feedback as students type. Students can listen for proper word usage, tense inflections, omitted words and misspellings.

  33. Literacy Supports IntelliTalk by IntelliTools Students soon become their own editors as they listen to and correct their work. Graphics can be added to documents to provide support for beginning readers. http://www.intellitools.com/

  34. Text to Speech • What if a student thinks using text-to-speech software will make him or her look different? Suggestion: - Read aloud to all ages. - All K-12 students can benefit from the read aloud experience. - Plan the read aloud experience to be slightly ahead of the student’s reading skill to introduce the next reading level. Check it out: “The Read Aloud Handbook” by Jim Trelease. This book cites statistics that report how being read to is a great way to increase reading levels.

  35. Helpful Websites Alive Text to Speech(www.text-speech.com) Audio Bookmaker(www.audiobookmaker.com) BrowseAloud (reads internet: http://www.browsealoud.com) Co: Writer (http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/cow4000d.htm) Cool Conversations(www.coolconversations.com) Cool Speech (www.bytecool.com) CyberBuddy (free version available: www.thecyberbuddy.com) Draft: Builder (http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/draftbuilderd.htm) eBook Library at the University of Virginia (direct access to 1,800 free Microsoft Reader files:http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/ebooks/) EaseReader(www.dolphinaudiopublishing.com) Fog Readability (Inclusive Technology: http://www.inclusive.co.uk/catalog/fog.shtml) IntelliTalk (http://www.synapse-ada.com/intellitools/new/IntelliTalk_3.htm) Internet2Ear(www.i2ear.com) Kidspiration or Inspiration (http://www.inspiration.com/home.cfm) Kurzweil 1000 (30 day trial: www.kurzweiledu.com) Lexia Early Reading (IT Education Co.: http://www.itecnz.co.nz/)

  36. Helpful Websites Natural Voice Reader (free version available: www.naturalreaders.com) Open Book Ruby (30 day trial version: www.arkenstone.com) PowerTalk (free version available: fullmeasure.co.uk/PowerTalk/) Premier Assistive Technologies (grant-free for 1 year: www.premier-programming.com) Read and Write Gold (http://www.texthelp.com/rwg.asp?q1=products&q2=rwg) Read Please (Read Please Corporation – free download from web: http://www.readplease.com/) Reading World (Inclusive Technology: http://www.inclusive.co.uk/catalog/readworld.shtml) Sayz Me (free version available: sayzme.sourceforge.net) 2nd Speech Center (www.2ndspeechcenter.com) Smart Butler (www.smart-butler.com) Smartread (also converts files to wave: smartysoft.com) Start to Finish Books (http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/stfd.htm) TalkMail (free version available: www.talkmail.org) Text to MP3 Speaker(www.text-mp3.com) Text Aloud MP3 (Nextup Technologies: http://www.nextup.com/TextAloud/) Text-to-Speech Software (www.mycomputerspeaks.com)

  37. Helpful Websites TextSpeech Pro (www.textspeechpro.com) The Reader (www.thereader.com.ar) Ultimate Reading Machine(www.ultimatereadingmachine.com) VoxWorx(www.voxworx.com) Web-Narrator(www.hdse.org/webnarrator) Write Outloud (Don Johnston: http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/writoutd.htm) Writing Solutions (Mind Kind: info@mindkind.co.nz)Wynn or Wynn Wizard (http://www.freedomscientific.com/LSG/products/wynn.asp) Other helpful websites: http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_textrans.html www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/technology/word_prediction.html http://www.studyworksonline.com http://www.birchlane.davis.ca.us/webstuff/tup.htm www.spellcheck.net/ www2.edc.org/NCIP/library/wp/toc.htm www.ataccess.org/rresources/acpanel/0005.htmlhttp://www.nationaltechcenter.org/matrix/default.asp

  38. Helpful Websites Online Dictionaries: Word Central: www.wordcentral.com English thesaurus and dictionary for Windows: http://wordweb.info/ Merriam-Webster Online: http://www.m-w.com/home.htm Visual Thesaurus: www.visualthesaurus.com Link to various dictionary type resources: http://dictionary.reference.com/

  39. References Abelson, A. G., & Petersen, M. (1983). Efficacy of "Talking Books" for a group of reading disabled boys. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 57, 567-570. Herbert and Murdock (1994). Lundberg, I., & Olofsson, A. (1993). Can computer speech support reading comprehension? Computers in Human Behavior, 9, 283-293. Montali, J., & Lewandowski, L. (1996). Bimodal reading: benefits of a talking computer for average and less skilled readers. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 29(3), 271-279. Olson, R. K., & Wise, B. W. (1992). Reading on the computer with orthographic and speech feedback. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 4, 107-144. Reinking, D. S., & R., Schreiner (1985). The effects of computer-mediated text on measures of reading comprehension and reading behavior. Reading Research Quarterly, 20(5), 536-552. Wise, B. W. (1992). Whole words and decoding for short-term learning: comparisons on a "talking-computer" system. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 54, 147-167.

  40. For more information, contact South CarolinaAssistive Technology Program 803-935-5263 800-915-4522 Toll Free   www.sc.edu/scatp

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