Tag Archives: computer

by | October 2, 2018 · 10:21 am

NaturalReader : un système de synthèse de texte

What is it

NaturalReader est un système de synthèse de texte qui peut vous aider à lire vos documents à voix haute. En tant que professeur.e, vous pouvez choisir entre l’application NaturalReader en ligne et le logiciel NaturalReader qui peut être utilisé hors connexion sur des appareils Windows ou Macintosh. Avec NaturalReader, les documents peuvent être lus dans 9 langues différentes, avec plus de 57 voix naturelles.

Fonctions gratuites de la version en ligne :

  • 20 minutes par jour pour les voix premium
  • Utilisation illimitée des voix gratuites
  • Supports les documents PDF, Docx, RTF et TXT
 Fonctions gratuites pour la version logicielle :

  • Système de synthèse de text (Text to Speech)
  • Fonctionne avec PDF, Docx, TXT et ePub
  • Changement de vitesse et de lecteur
  • Barre flottante pour lire du texte dans d’autres applications
Why is it relevant

En présentant NaturalReader à vos élèves, vous pouvez vous assurer que ceux.celles ayant des difficultés visuelles ou des difficultés de lecture auront un accès égal au même contenu de classe que les autres étudiants. En leur lisant le texte, NaturalReader peut également les aider avec la prononciation et la communication.

Cette ressource est idéale dans une classe de langue seconde telle que l’immersion française, le français de base, etc. Elle permet aux élèves de s’engager de façon créative dans l’apprentissage du langage. Veuillez noter : pour utiliser le service français dans sa pleine mesure, vous devrez acheter le programme.

How to get started

Pour commencer avec NaturalReader, vous devez sélectionner la forme de NaturalReader que vous souhaitez utiliser, le lecteur en ligne ou le logiciel. Ensuite, vous devez vous inscrire en ligne et vous connecter avec votre adresse e-mail. Une fois que vous êtes enregistré.e, vous pouvez alors commencer à faire glisser-déposer les documents dans NaturalReader. Ensuite, vous pouvez sélectionner la voix et la langue que vous souhaitez utiliser et vous êtes prêt.e!

Pour commencer cliquez sur la vidéo ci-dessous :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp-uOVR-k_U

Video demonstration
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by | August 25, 2017 · 2:51 pm

Verbally: Text-to-Speech

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Verbally is a convenient, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), text-to-speech app that can be used to help your students with challenges in communication. Currently (August 2017) it is only available for iPad and iPhone. With Verbally, your students can either choose from the word clouds provided to create sentences or they can type in a sentence. After the sentence has been inputted, the app will read it out loud.

Free features include:

  • Core Words Grid – contains 50 essential words to save you time when inputting your sentences
  • Core Phrases Grid – offers common phrases to enable faster and easier conversation
  • Text Prediction – the app learns the words you use and makes self-expression easier
  • Choice of male or female voice.
  • Steady Hands feature – if your students have limited motor abilities, this feature makes it easier to type

Premium Features (paid):

  • 3 new voices to choose from (1 male, 1 female, and 1 child’s voice)
  • Customize your own phrases and save them as your favourite
  • Personalize your predictions
  • Find what you want to say from past phrases spoken
  • Connect through email and compose your email with Verbally

For more information, check out the Verbally website.

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As a teacher, it is important that you can ensure that your students with different learning styles and disabilities such as selective mutism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have the opportunity to communicate with you and their classmates. With Verbally, they can easily communicate and engage in the classroom.

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  1. Download the app on your iPad or iPhone from the iTunes store.
  2. Go to “Settings”, and set up important components such as the voice, keyboard, and predictions you would like to use.
  3. Test out the app by choosing words from the word collection or type in the sentence that you would like it to say.
  4. Click on “Speak”.

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by | · 2:09 pm

NaturalReader: Text to speech tool

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NaturalReader is a powerful text to speech tool that can help read your documents out loud to you and your students. As a teacher, you can choose from the NaturalReader Online (online web application) and the NaturalReader software, which can be used offline on Windows or Macintosh devices. With NaturalReader, documents can be read in 9 different languages, with over 57 natural voices.

Free Features of the online version:

  • 20 minutes per day for premium voices
  • Unlimited usage of free voices
  • Supports PDF, Docx, RTF and TXT documents

Free Features for the software version:

  • Text to Speech
  • Works with PDF, Docx, TXT, and ePub
  • Change speed and speaker
  • Floating bar to read text in other applications

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By introducing NaturalReader to your students, you can ensure that students who have visual differences or have difficulty reading will have equal access to the same class content as other students. By having the text read to them, NaturalReader can also help students with pronunciation and communication.

This resource is great to use in a second language classroom such as French Immersion, Core French, etc.  It allows for students to creatively engage in language learning.  As a note, to utilize the French service to its full extent you will need to purchase the program.

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To get started with NaturalReader, you must select which form of NaturalReader you would like to use, the online reader or software. Then you must register online and sign in with your email address. Once you are registered, you can then begin dragging documents into NaturalReader. Afterwards you can select the voice and language you would like to use, and you are ready to go!

Check out this video on how to get started:

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by | July 30, 2017 · 8:02 pm

Assistive Technologies: Built-in accessibility features on your laptop

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Both Mac Operation System(OS)  and Windows Operation System (OS) have a lot of built-in accessibility features, which can be beneficial for people with difficulties with vision, hearing, physical & motor skills, or learning and literacy.

Accessibility features of Mac OS:

  • Vision – VoiceOver, Audio Descriptions for movies, Siri, Dictation, Zoom, Cursor Size, Contrast Options, Reduce Motion, etc. (Want more details on this? Click here!)
  • Hearing – FaceTime, Messages with iMessage, Closed Captions, Mono Audio, Screen Flash (Want to know more? Click here!)
  • Physical and Motor Skills – Switch Control, Platform Switching for Switch Control ( Click here for more information!)
  • Learning and Literacy – Text to speech, Word Completion, Simple Finder, Dictionary, Speech ( Click here to check out more details!)

Accessibility features of Windows:

  • Vision – Narrator (use your device without a screen), keyboard short cuts, Audio Descriptions (Hear all the action), Magnifier, Cursor and pointer size, Cortana (delegate digitally), Speech Recognition (Save time with dictation), High contrast themes, Braille Beta [New in the Creators Update], etc.
  • Hearing – Skype (good way to communicate in sign languages), visual notifications for sound, Notification timing, Closed Captioning, Mono Audio (hear it all in both ears)
  • Physical – Word prediction, On-Screen Keyboard, Cortana, Live Tiles, Mouse Keys
  • Cognition – Animations, Backgrounds, and Transparency, Edge Reading View (Clear distracting Content), Reading Friendly Fonts, Speech Recognition, Microsoft Edge E-book Reader

Want more detailed information? Click here to read the instructions on these features!

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These built-in features can help your students use their computers efficiently and find success with technologies. In addition, students with different challenges or exceptionalities will be able to use their computer to find information, work on research, and assignments, and prepare for their future development in study and work.  As a teacher, knowing how to set the accessibility features and applying them for your students will prepare you for delivering equally accessible learning opportunities for all students.

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If you’re using a Mac:

  1. Click on the Apple Icon on the left top corner, then, select “ System preference”
  2. Select the “Accessibility “ icon in the bottom right,
  3. Enable the functions that you want to use on your Mac

If you’re using a Windows Computer (will take Windows 10 as an example):

  1. Go to the “Start” menu
  2. Click on the “Settings” icon
  3. Click on the “Ease of Access” option
  4. Enable the functions that you want to use on your PC

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Short intro of the built-in features on your Windows Computer:

Short intro of the built-in features on your Mac:

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by | July 20, 2017 · 4:39 pm

Code.org: unplugged and plugged activities

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Code.org aims to increase access to computer science in schools. It contains a large collection of activities, lesson plans, and tutorials that encourage school-age learners to explore the basics of computer programming. Topics include computational thinking, algorithms, abstractions, and even digital citizenship.

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With the onset of the Digital Revolution, computer skills, even at a basic level, are fundamental, especially when considering digital inclusion, literacy, and access. Contrary to what many believe, coding activities are not always performed in front of a screen. There are a host of unplugged activities that teach real-life problem solving skills and digital representation. Some of these can even be used in makerspaces to create digital-like but tangible gadgets.

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Check out these examples of different types of activities:

  • Hour of Code: In this Classic Maze lesson, learners give instructions to Angry Birds characters, just like line-by-line programming. The instructions are dragged and dropped on the screen, and a Test run performs the instructions in animation format. The lessons are sequential and learners explore game programming.
  • Unplugged lessons: In this Binary Bracelets example, students make a bracelet representing the first letter of their name, learning about basic data storage and digital literacy.
  • App Lab: For more advanced students, these activities teach app making and coding with JavaScript.

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