 |
Read&Write GOLD for Schools is a literacy support tool designed to assist users of all ages who require extra assistance when reading or composing text. It offers support functionality frequently absent in mainstream Windows applications. In addition, it provides a host of study features to assist any user with research and composition. The software works discreetly with all mainstream Windows applications. This offers users with literacy difficulties the opportunity to work in an inclusive manner alongside their peers and colleagues.
Read&Write GOLD for Schools is a simple to use toolbar that "floats" on top of any open application. Assistance can then easily be called upon as the user works.
Price: £305.00 – £2,245.00 (Excl. VAT)
|
textHELP Read&Write GOLD for Schools continues the tradition of innovative assistive technology software from Texthelp for those with literacy needs.
Read&Write GOLD for Schools Speech
With Read&Write GOLD for Schools text can be read back by each word, sentence, paragraph, selected text or spoken as the user types.
Read&Write GOLD for Schools now comes with Realspeak solo v4 voices as standard while remaining compatible with Microsoft SAPI 4 and 5 speech technology. 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.
Read&Write GOLD for Schools includes daisy reading technology, allowing users to access and read daisy books while working within the program.
Fig 1 Read&Write GOLD for Schools Speech
How is this useful?
Users with literacy difficulties are likely to suffer major problems when reading the written word. Read&Write GOLD for Schools goes some way to minimising barriers to learning, as every piece of text can be speech enabled.
The result of this is that users do 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 trying to comprehend 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 user 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 their second language (ESL). Users are likely to find it easier to learn English when using this system 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.
How is this useful?
Users with literacy difficulties are likely to suffer major problems when reading the written word. Read&Write GOLD for Schools goes some way to minimising barriers to learning, as every piece of text can be speech enabled.
The result of this is that users do 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 trying to comprehend 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 user 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 their second language (ESL). Users are likely to find it easier to learn English when using this system 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 GOLD for Schools Dictionary
The Read&Write 9 GOLD for Schools dictionary has been enhanced to include more words and improved definitions. Each word in the dictionary has a description and a sample sentence, all of which can be spoken aloud.
Read&Write 9 GOLD for Schools includes our own commissioned dictionary giving enhanced definitions and a choice of basic or advanced dictionaries. This increases understanding for students and tailors the product to suit the needs of individual Users
Fig 1: Read&Write GOLD for Schools Dictionary
How is this useful?
Providing users with sample sentences allows them to be sure that the word they are using is correct. This 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 User 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 benefit to ESL (English as a second language) Users 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 GOLD for Schools Scanning
Read&Write GOLD for Schools has an all new inbuilt scanning tool, bringing true "one click" scanning to Read&Write.
With Read&Write GOLD for Schools it is possible to scan ANY paper based document or saved image into MS Word, HTML or PDF format. Not only can the scanning function be used with a scanner, but it can now also be used with most digital cameras. For example, you could take a picture of a poster while you are out, and then use Read&Write GOLD for Schools to read it aloud for you at home.
Once scanned the text may be read aloud in any one of 4 display/audible methods ensuring the User has the perfect listening and learning experience.
Once text and graphics are scanned the user may edit the document. This is ideal for scanning tests to be used with the program, as the user can add their answers safe in the knowledge that they understand what is being asked of them and that their spelling is correct.
Text and images may also be scanned into Internet Explorer allowing the user to apply "style sheets" so that regardless of the original document scanned, the software will display their preferred style with colours, font type and font size.
Fig 1: Read&Write GOLD for Schools Scanning
How is this useful?
Being able to scan any document into the program helps those with literacy difficulties by transferring information into a format they are comfortable with.
This feature is of great assistance to those who suffer from literacy difficulties as they are able to decipher information that would have otherwise been inaccessible. The information is made accessible through the use of features such as dual colour highlighting and speech feedback.
The scanning feature can be used in any number of ways, for example to scan an article from a magazine or textbook into the program and download it to formats such as PDF or HTML. Once this is completed the document becomes accessible through the utilisation of other features of Read&Write GOLD for Schools such as the speech feedback option.
Fact Folder
The Fact Folder in Read&Write 9 GOLD for Schools provides an unparalleled study or research tool for organising thoughts and ideas.
The Fact Folder will help Users to collate key facts from websites and other applications. The date and website address will automatically be saved to help avoid plagiarism in essays. A report of all the users research can then be viewed with an automatic bibliography.
Fig 2: Read&Write GOLD for Schools Fact Folder
How is this useful?
Read& for Schools' Fact Folder will assist those with organisational and sequencing problems commonly associated with dyslexia. Having the ability to compile information on any topic allows Users to organise their work efficiently. This makes it easier for a User to complete a project or business report as all the information they require is at hand.
The Teacher's Toolkit
The Teacher's Toolkit is a comprehensive administration tool that can be used to set up and customise the user's settings.
It is a simple to use interface, allowing the creation of profiles which can be applied to an individual or group of students. A typical example would be the creation of an 'exam profile' which would restrict functionality of the software during an exam. It is possible to add and delete new users and set up student groups. A new option in the toolkit allows the teacher to adjust how a word is pronounced for all the Users.
The Teacher's Toolkit includes a spelling error log and an activity log, which can be accessed only by the teacher. The spelling log provides a list of recent corrections that each student has made. The activity log lists individual student information such as the number of words typed, number of errors and any new words learned by the student. This information is of help to the teacher when creating Individual Education Plans and assessing the student's progress.
The toolkit can be used to add new words and definitions to the dictionary. This gives the teacher the ability to ensure that the definitions are clear and appropriate for the student. It is also possible to create a prediction database relevant to a specific subject area. For instance, in preparation for a Biology lesson, the teacher could train the program to learn a list of difficult plant names. The students can then use the word prediction tool to help them compose work containing the plant names.
The toolkit contains an automatic migration feature for importing existing Users' settings.
Read&Write GOLD for Schools System Requirements
The following are the minimum requirements needed to operate Read&Write GOLD for schools literacy software:
- Pentium Four 1.5 GHz Processor
- 512 MB RAM
- (1 GB RAM minimum on Windows Vista)
- 600 MB Free Disk Space
- Sound Card
- Good Quality Speakers
- Microphone (for Speech Input)
- Windows 2000 SP4 or above
(NB. Previous versions of Read&Write and Wordsmith must be uninstalled before installing Read&Write GOLD)
Recommended Scanners:
Read&Write GOLD software is compatible with the following scanners:
Flatbed:
- Canon LIDE 70
- Canon V100
- Epson V350
- HP Scanjet 4370
- HP Scanjet 4600
Multifunction:
High Speed ADF:
- Epson GT-2500
- Fujitsu 4220
- Fujitsu 5220
- Kodak I40
- Panasonic 1025C
View More Reading/Writing
|
