Read&Write 8.1 Speech
With Read&Write 8.1 text can be read back by each word, sentence, paragraph, selected text or spoken as the User types.
Read&Write 8.1 comes with Realspeak solo v4 voices as standard while remaining compatible with Microsoft SAPI 4 and 5 speech technology and comes with a choice of 34 different voices including British and American accents.
The voices can be adjusted to suit the individual requirements of the User by altering the pitch, speed, volume and/or word pause.
Realspeak provides the most human-sounding voices available today. Words can also be highlighted as they are spoken for audio-visual reinforcement, increasing word recognition levels. Screen reading of on-screen text, menus and icons is also included.
Fig 1: Read&Write 8.1 Speech
How is this useful?
Those with literacy difficulties are likely to suffer major problems when reading the written word. With Read&Write 8.1 this no longer needs to be the case as every piece of text can be speech enabled. The result of this is that the User does not have to struggle to comprehend written information as they can have the text played back to them in an audio format.
This feature therefore enables Users to work more efficiently as they do not need to spend large amounts of time struggling to read the text.
Allowing a struggling student to listen to text spoken aloud as they read is an example of how speech feedback can be of assistance. In this case the student would be able to develop their learning and understanding of the words through audio-visual reinforcement.
The speech facility can also be used by people for whom English is a second language (ESL). Students are likely to find it easier to learn English when using this feature as the words can be read and spoken simultaneously. This again acts as a reinforcement measure as the User develops their understanding of the spelling of the words, while also learning how the words are spoken.
Read&Write 8.1 Spell
Read&Write 8.1 has an advanced Phonetic Spell Checker to analyse and correct spellings.
The User can choose to spell check as they type or check their completed work. Any spelling mistake will be identified and the Spell Checker window will provide a list of suggested corrections with the meanings of each to aid the correct choice.
Colour coded identification of errors helps to identify the mistakes.
The Phonetic Spell Checker assists in correcting the most complex of errors.
All spelling suggestions and dictionary definitions can be spoken. An error log gives the educator the opportunity to monitor an individual's progress.
Specialised dictionaries are also included.
The latest spell checking facility provided by Read&Write 8.1 has an improved ability to suggest the word a user is looking for. This improvement in the probability of suggested words is likely to further assist in the aim of producing a higher standard of work.
Fig 1: Read&Write 8.1 Spelling
How is this useful?
The spell checking facility provided by mainstream word processors such as Microsoft Word do not fully meet the needs of those with literacy or learning difficulties.
The Phonetic Spell Checker in Read&Write 8.1 provides such Users with the added support they need as the program recognises their unique spelling patterns and makes suggestions accordingly. The result of this is a higher level of relevant suggestions for the User, as the spell checker is uniquely capable of recognising the word the user is trying to spell. This feature is a useful tool when working towards mainstreaming education for all students.
The spell checking facility also provides audio visual definitions of the suggested words, therefore allowing Users to assure themselves that the word they are going to use is correct. This is expected to enable Users to build their vocabulary and confidence.
Read&Write 8.1 Homophone
Read&Write 8.1's Homophone Checker identifies like-sounding words and highlights them in MS Word. It suggests audible definitions and replacements, assisting the User to apply the right word within the context of their work.
Read&Write 8.1 has an improved homophone database with the option to select from basic or advanced homophone suggestions, further enhancing the suggestions relevance to the User.
The Same Sounding Words panel shows the list of words that can be confused and a definition for each to help the User find the right word every time.
By identifying and providing audible definitions of homophones, Read&Write 8.1 ensures that each User identifies the correct word in the correct context.
Fig 1: Read&Write 8.1 Homophone Support
How is this useful?
Understanding the differences between homophones can be incredibly difficult for those with learning difficulties such as dyslexia. The Homophone Support feature allows the User to work efficiently, safe in the knowledge that the homophones they are using are contextually accurate.
Highlighting the homophones in blue further reinforces the presence of homophones and enables the development and understanding of such words. Highlighting homophones is expected to increase the level of grammatical accuracy in the text and therefore will facilitate a higher standard of work.
Read&Write 8.1 Word Prediction
This literacy support software enables the User to develop their writing skills by providing the tools to construct sentences with ease.
The Read&Write 8.1 Word Predictor learns the User's style of writing and predicts the word they want to use next. It also incorporates a prediction database based on a 100 million-word corpus.
As the user types, a list of suggestions will appear in the Prediction Panel.
The Word Prediction feature of Read&Write 8.1 has seen great improvements in speed of processing and suggestion accuracy in comparison with previous versions.
Read&Write 8.1 now enables Users to select from one of thirty two context specific prediction files, such as Arts, Beliefs and Books. This further enhances the relevance of the suggestions made.
Users can also edit the contents of their custom dictionary and can edit the prediction suggestions to better suit their requirements.
Indicators beside each word show context accuracy. This means Users will be less likely to make a grammatical error so increasing the quality of their work.
Fig1: Word Prediction
How is this useful?
Providing Users with word suggestions as they write helps them to complete their work with greater efficiency and accuracy.
Word Prediction ensures that Users do not become lost for words, or 'stuck' in the middle of the sentence.
The feature can be particularly advantageous for those who have a small vocabulary, or for foreign language speakers, as definitions of the words can be spoken directly from the dictionary.
Being able to confirm the meaning of the word through speech ensures that each student can develop their use of the language and can therefore be confident that the words they are using are correct.
Read&Write 8.1 Web Highlighting
The Web Highlighting feature of Read&Write 8.1 allows the user to experience dual colour highlighting with audible feedback in HTML documents.
This is of particular use for those with literacy difficulties when accessing information online and also aids concentration and comprehension. This feature can be used as part of workplace accommodation initiatives.
Fig 1: Read&Write 8.1 Web Highlighting
How is this useful?
Given the level of importance given to the Internet in the modern world, it is vital that people of all abilities are able to access and utilise information contained online.
The Internet has become one of the most popular channels for completing tasks such as recruitment, communications and research. Through the use of this program everyone is capable of taking advantage of all of the opportunities the Internet offers, by transferring the text to an audio format.
To put it simply, Web Highlighting makes the web talk.
Read&Write 8.1 Daisy Reader
The DAISY Standard for Digital Accessible Documents is an open worldwide specification that revolutionises the reading experience for people who are blind or print disabled.
The Read&Write 8.1 software contains Daisy Reading technology and allows Users to read their Daisy Books while working within the Read&Write program.
An added feature incorporated in the Daisy Reader is a dual colour highlighting option. Dual colour highlighting allows Users with learning difficulties such as dyslexia to enjoy their reading experience in a format and style they are comfortable with.
Fig 1: Daisy Reader
Read&Write 8.1 Dictionary
180,000 word definitions are provided with alternative suggestions in the Read&Write 8.1 dictionary, thus developing creative writing skills.
Each word has a description and sample sentence, all of which can be spoken aloud by the software.
Read&Write 8.1 now includes our own commissioned dictionary giving easier to comprehend definitions and setting options, enabling the User to choose basic or advanced definitions of words, allowing even higher levels of understanding. This further increases the capacity of understanding for students and increases the product's ability to be tailored to the needs of individual.
By providing an advanced dictionary with descriptions, sample sentences and an Internet search option that can be read to aid choice, Read&Write 8.1 provides the means for increasing vocabulary.
Fig 1: Read&Write 8.1 Dictionary
How is this useful?
Providing Users with sample sentences allows them to be sure that the word they are using is correct. This literacy support software gives the User confidence to expand their vocabulary and develop their writing style.
Being able to choose between a basic or advanced dictionary ensures each individual has the support they need in a format they are comfortable with. This is of particular advantage in schools as the differing levels of ability and age will result in quite different requirements.
The definition and sample sentences can be of particular benefit to foreign language speakers as they are able to hear the word, its definition and how it could be used in conversation. These features assist the learning process as they provide unparalleled support and reinforcement.
Read&Write 8.1 Word Wizard
The Read&Write 8.1 Word Wizard acts as a thesaurus for those times when you are "lost for words". It takes you from the word you know to the word you want.
This literacy support software provides a great choice of alternative words and provides a list of linking words. Each of the descriptions and sample sentences can be read by Read&Write 8.1 to help find the word you want to use.
This feature increases vocabulary, understanding and efficiency.
Fig 1: Read&Write 8.1 Word Wizard
How is this useful?
Providing Users who have literacy difficulties with an interactive thesaurus allows the development and expansion of their vocabulary every time the program is used.
Users who utilise the Word Wizard will see their vocabulary grow and will be able to produce reports or documents safe in the knowledge that the words used are contextually accurate.
The development of the User's vocabulary will result in an increased confidence in their own ability to select and use words effectively. This is likely to result in a higher standard of work by the User.
Read&Write 8.1 Study Skills Toolbar
The Study Skills Toolbar in Read&Write 8.1 is an additional toolbar where sections of text can be highlighted and collated together to produce study notes.
Often when reading notes, books or journals we use coloured markers to highlight pieces of text, which are of particular relevance to the subject we are studying. With the Study Skills Toolbar in Read&Write 8.1 this same ability is brought to the computer. It can be used within Microsoft Word or Internet Explorer.
Within the Study Skills Toolbar, there is also a Summarise tool. This can be used within any Windows based application. The User simply highlights the text they want to summarise and click on the Summarise icon, choosing what percentage of the text they want in their summary. The summary is put into a new Word document, within which the User can alter the percentage further.
Fig 1: Before and After using Summarise Tool
Read&Write 8.1 Calculator
Read&Write 8.1 has an easy to use Basic Calculator. Not only does this provide the most common functions associated with a Basic Calculator but it also provides an audit trail so that each User can see their calculations as they go.
Fig 1: Read&Write 8.1 Calculator
How is this useful?
The calculator is of great assistance to those who have learning difficulties such as dyscalculia or dyslexia, as the speech enablement of equations and the dual colour highlighting of the text makes the mathematical sums easier to follow and understand.
The ability to complete equations from within the document a User is working in further increases the speed at which work is completed, while ensuring that levels of accuracy are kept at a high level.
textHELP Read & Write Standard
