Supports+-+Audio

= OAISD's AT Resources - Audio Supports = Carlson, John. May 21, 2004. Pics4Learning. 20 Dec 2010 [|http://pics.tech4learning.com]

__**Supporting Audio Thinking**__
toc **Who does it help?** **Think of your students who would...**. ..
 * benefit from highlighting individual words and hearing them read. Or from hearing the definition of the word read.
 * benefit from hearing an entire selection or article on a website read aloud.
 * appreciate hearing their own words read by the computer, particularly when editing their own written work.

Studies have shown that “talking text” can support comprehension for some students. They may benefit from:
 * Think of students who struggle with reading comprehension.**
 * Pre-reading to increase comprehension
 * Reading to access standard or advanced materials
 * Reinforcement from reading and listening together
 * Reading selected words or phrases

__**Professional Resources - Audio**__

 * **Using Technology to Support Diverse Learners - Audio**
 * **Learning Through Listening - Classroom tools, sound advice from RFB&D and CAST.**
 * **What is a podcast? Watch "Podcasting In Plain English" for an entertaining overview.**
 * **Digital Content in the Classroom**

**__Audio Tools__**

 * ** 5 Great Video Tutorials on How to Create Podcasts Using Audacity ** - Posted on ** Educational Technology and Mobile Learning  **
 * **Tape Express Plus** - a portable, handheld USB tape player that works with all kinds of tapes. It has an easy-to-use USB connection for sending the music on your tapes right into your Mac or PC where it's instantly turned into MP3 files.
 * **Web 2.0 Cool Tools for School** - Audio Tools
 * **Wetoku** - An interview tool that automatically records an interview to play back. File can be embed in your blog and shared.
 * **Express Scribe - Transcription Playback System and Transcription Pedal Software** Express Scribe is a professional grade transcription program that allows you to make written copies of interviews, meetings and other recorded speech. The program doesn't automatically do the transcription for you, although speech recognition is an available option, but it does support variable speed playback and a transcription pedal, both of which are critical to time efficiency when transcribing. Free download.

**__Text-to-Speech Tools__**

 * **Balabolka** - a Text-To-Speech (TTS) download that can read the clipboard content, view the text from DOC, RTF, PDF, FB2 and HTML files, and customize font and background color.
 * **CLiCk, Speak** - an open source, freely available extension for the Firefox web browser, designed for sighted users who want text-to-speech functionality.
 * **Dimio's Tools** - DSpeech offers Text To Speech and ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) options, all free. (Scroll down the page to view DSpeech)
 * **My StudyBar** - Free, portable (can use from USB drive) open source and freeware applications to support learners with literacy difficulties. The toolbar includes a range of tools including mind mapping, word prediction, talking dictionary, text-to-speech, Save as MP3 and voice recognition. Works on Windows Vista and Windows 7.
 * **Natural Reader** - Free text-to-speech download that provides the user two different views: a mini toolbar, and a new window that highlights words as they are read aloud.
 * **PowerTalk** - Free download provides automatic speech for PowerPoint presentations.
 * **Read the Words** - Create a free account. You can manage your current Readings and create new ones by Clicking the button, Create New Reading. Reads written text, PDF documents, web pages, RSS feeds.
 * **WordTalk** - a free text to speech plug-in for use with all versions of MS Word. It sits neatly in your toolbar and is highly configurable, allowing you to adjust the highlight colors, the voice and the speed of the speech.