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TechDis Update RSC WM - A & I Forum. Lisa Featherstone www.jisctechdis.ac.uk. Programme. TechDis Voices Toolbox Discover Jisc Questions. What is a voice. SatNav voices – high quality synthetic voices Turns route instructions into the spoken word Can use different voices.
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TechDis UpdateRSC WM - A & I Forum Lisa Featherstone www.jisctechdis.ac.uk
Programme • TechDis Voices • Toolbox • Discover Jisc • Questions
What is a voice • SatNav voices – high quality synthetic voices • Turns route instructions into the spoken word • Can use different voices
Voice & Software Voices are separate from the software They can be used with a wide variety of applications Support working in many ways -
So what is text to speech? Specialist tool for some? Mainstream tool for all?
Ways of working - 1 • Read with your eyes closed - start your text to speech software, grab a headset, close your eyes, lean back and relax…
Ways of working - 2 • Save text as MP3 and listen on your phone / mp3 player wherever and whenever suits.
Ways of working - 3 • …turn key documents or information to MP3s so users can listen on the morning commute.
Ways of working - 4 • use a service (Audio-boo etc) to upload handouts as a synthetic speech MP3 file. Subscribers to your podcast get automatic delivery to their phone.
Ways of working - 5 • Audio instructions for practical and fieldwork.
Ways of working - 6 • Listen and summarise…
Ways of working - 7 Gutenberg goodies Balabolkabrilliance • Broaden horizons…
Ways of working - 8 Getting good voices… • TechDis Jess and TechDis Jack • eligibility = post 16 publicly funded learning providers for their networks and personal downloads for their learners/users • This includes learners at UK Online Centres
Ways of Working - 9 • Proof reading – a synthetic voice will read exactly what you’ve written. • “It’s important to get your massage across in a simples and effective wiy”
Getting equality… Lots of dyslexic learners A few VI learners
Finding and using www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/voices This section of the website has all the info you need on Finding, Registering, Downloading, Installing and Using the voices.
Talking Word documents • Older versions: WordTalkwww.wordtalk.org.uk • Newer versions: Speak Text
Talking Web Pages • ChromeSpeak free plug in for Chrome
Talking books Orato or ClipSpeak will read out loud whatever is copied onto the clipboard; whether from e-books, online magazines, documents etc. Orato reads with Word tracking. ClipSpeak doesn’t; but it does save as MP3 as an option.
Talking anything Tools like Balabolka and DSpeech allow you to create MP3s from documents or a mixture of documents and text copied in from other sources like web pages.
The questions to consider • Does your organisation provide text to speech at all? • How would your staff and users learn about text to speech opportunities? • How could you signpost your users to download the voices for themselves at home? • How could we help your organisation support the use of TTS in teaching and learning?
TechDis Toolbox • Aimed directly at end users – learners. • A collection of resources which give useful hints and tips on technologies that can help individuals work quicker, slicker and smarter.
TechDis Toolbox • Over 100 Bite-sized videos, short guides, and animations. • Small bits of just-in-time information that can be easily absorbed. • Developed with learners for learners by TechDis accredited trainers.
Technology - 1 • Microsoft Office • 18 videos on using Word • Mac-accessibility • Mac, iPhone and iPad including • Voiceover • Safari reader • Vision and other settings • Using the Web • Accessible browsers
Technology - 2 • Free Software guides to • Audacity • Text to Speech • Xmind • TechDis Voices • What is a voice • Text to Speech • Using and installing the voices
Planning & Organisation • Managing Messages • Managing Time • Using Information • Organising Information
Communicating • Tools to help with • Reading • Writing • Multimedia Including - • Audio • Video • Images
Objectives • Help Further Education and Skills providers use Jisc resources to deliver inclusive learning and teaching. • Increase overall Jisc knowledge and awareness of the wider FE & Skills sector and how to meet its needs. 30
Rationale • Further Education and Skills sector unaware of JISC resources and services. • Many of these resources support inclusive learning and teaching. • These resources can be difficult to find. • The resources were created for a different audience and are sometimes difficult to understand. 31
So far . . . • New CPD resources • Commentary on Jisc Services & content • Technology in Context – plans and rationale
New Web Resources:CPD Materials • New how-to guides and resources: • Introduction to Accessibility; • Built-in Accessibility; • Accessible Documents and Presentations. • Coming Soon:
In the pipeline . . . • Mobile and Portable Accessibility; • Accessing Online Content; • Creating Accessible Online Content.
Questions? • Please contact – lisa@techdis.ac.uk • @notlob • http://pinterest.com/penguinnotlob/xerte-links/