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Voice Recording in MS
Word |
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Students can record their answers
and thoughts 'directly into Microsoft Word' (and many other
programs). For those students who frequently need to
dictate their thoughts, ideas and information to others,
recording onto the computer provides a way for students to
produce verbal work completely independently. Even some of
the most cognitively challenged student will find it easy to
record their voice once the program is set up with a customized
toolbar. More information ...
Setting up a custom toolbar cheat sheet
Voice recording in Word
Writing with a difference
Video clips:
Low quality (quicker downloading)
High quality (slower)
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Reading text with speech output with
Read Please |
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Read Please is an add-on program
which works with all Windows programs. It reads text
placed in the clipboard. There are free and
commercial versions available. Using ReadPlease, together
with voice recording into Word (as shown above) students can
INDEPENDENTLY 'read' a worksheet (the computer reads the text
out loud using ReadPlease), and verbally answer questions on the
page in Word. With practice, even students with
significant cognitive challenges or exceptionally poor writing
skills can learn to cope independently with this very simple
process.
Video clips:
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Reading and Speech output with Microsoft
Reader |
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Microsoft reader is a FREE ebook
reader which offers many options for students with disabilities.
Reader has options for text size, speech output (text to speech
reading of text on screen), annotations such as notes,
bookmarks, highlighting and drawing, annotations can be
extracted for quick review. Many free ebooks in MS Reader
format are available. Ebooks are available online and
through public libraries. You can download and read
ebooks and you can create your own ebooks in as much time as it
takes to put your text and pictures into Word! Take a look
at
http://www.microsoft.com/reader/developers/downloads/rmr.asp
where you can download a simple add-in for Word which will allow
you to create ebooks. This is one of the simplest, easiest
and cheapest ways to make your own adapted books.
Video clips:
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Microsoft Reader overview
(this video is large and will take a while to load,
please be patient)
- Creating your
own e-books using MS Word (for MS Reader)
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Speech recognition
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Speech recognition software has
improved dramatically and is affordable. Students can
dictate into a computer and have words appear on the screen.
Students with physical disabilities can have full computer
control by voice alone. Learning how to use speech
recognition, however, is time consuming and requires extensive
patience and perseverance. These video clips relate
specifically to the use of Dragon Naturally
Speaking although some general principles presented are relevant
for training speech recognition with other programs too.
More information
about the speech recognition curriculum here ...
Video clips:
Stage 1.
Basics and Introduction to
speech recognition
Stage 2.
Initial Voice Training
Stage 3.
Basic Dictation
Stage 4.
More Advanced Dictation and other
functions
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Switch input for computer program
control |
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Clicker is a writing support and
multimedia tool that enables children to write with whole words,
phrases or pictures. Students can use any access method to
use Clicker, including one or two switches. These video
clips show how to attach switches to a Don Johnston switch
interface box and the program settings required on Clicker 4.
More information ...
Video clips:
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Voice recording with a
handheld voice recorder |
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Small, portable handheld devices
are all the rage! People are increasingly becoming
aware of the small devices that will play music or keep a
calendar or contact names and telephone numbers. The face
of communicating, working and learning is changing rapidly!!!
Handheld devices which allow for voice recording as well as
playback of sound files such as audio books and music can be
extremely useful for students with special needs. They
have the potential of providing a student with a way to record
notes and information by voice rather than by typing or writing.
Audio books can be downloaded for free or by purchase.
Also, audio books can be created quickly, on the run with these
small, easy-to-use devices. These video clips show how to
use the Olympus DM-10 voice recorder which allows for recording
of voice into 5 folders as well as playing of music and sound
files for audio books.
More information ...
Video clips:
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Mouse control with switches |
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Video clips:
Evaluating mouse control with switches
on
www.customsolutions.us |
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Creating AudioBooks |
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Writing
with Clicker 4, Co:Writer and WordPad |
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Video clips:
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Small portable laptop
computers |
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More information ...
Video clips:
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Time management, information
organization, project planning
using the Time and Chaos software and web based system |
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More information ...
Video clips:
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Calc98 -
Low cost, Customizable Onscreen Calculator |
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A customizable calculator
which allows the user to change the visual layout, color and
sizes of buttons and fonts on screen. Many different
options for children and adults.
http://calculator.org/
Video clips:
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Vanguard Connections |
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Video clips:
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Others ... |
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