Kurzweil 3000 – is what appears to be a powerful text to speech software. Today I watched a webinar on the basics of the software. It's purpose is to simply helps students with decoding and breaking down words, because students with cognitive and learning/literacy, visual impairments and various other reading challenges often can get - as my webinar host Barbara Welsford describes - "lost in breaking down the words".
Kurzweil can also be integrated into a literacy program for children with attention issues, and comprehension difficulties. It includes a writing component within it.
The host 'walked' me through the basics, ie. 4 main toolbars etc. along with, how to use what's called " application share" in BlackBoard - (something that I can't wait to show the NBCC faculty). Kurzweil also has the compatibility to scan (if you have a scanner) or photocopy and read it! It also can read all kinds of files, pdfs etc. As well, provides dictionary support and access to the web. Kurzweil also tracks and highlights, key words as it's 'reading' (a perfect leader for children with attention and concentration issues ) allowing the reading to pick out more key info and get more interaction.
I really like the idea of having class participants use their raising of hands in BBoard!
Another awesome feature - French translation - just hit translate, although the (v.12) the information is imported and then change it to French.
I hesitated with the listening to the robotic voice, however thinking about the children who have very strong auditory skillsAnother great video showing the feature – ‘sticky notes’ with in the Kurzwell format.
No comments:
Post a Comment