Why are we upgrading?
The existing read aloud tool was created quite a few years ago, and is built on technology that some browsers struggle to support. As a result, we have partnered with the literacy software provider, Texthelp, to provide our users with text to speech and dictionary services. Texthelp is well respected organization, and has partnered with high profile clients, such as Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, Pearson, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt , and others.
What are the benefits?
There are slight changes between how the read aloud and dictionary section works today, and how it will work as a result of the upgrade. Click to enlarge this image showing the new Texthelp toolbar, and how to operate its features.1. As mentioned above, the new solution will be significantly more reliable. In addition, the turnaround in producing audio when text isAi??Ai?? highlighted will be much faster than the current tool.
2. As text is read, it will now be highlighted, which will help early learners and struggling readers.
3. Voices have a more natural sound, compared to current voices.
4. As mentioned above, the dictionary will now be integrated into the read aloud toolbar, instead of being a separate tool.
5. In addition to text definitions, netTrekker and icurio users will now have access to a picture dictionary as well.
Ai??What do you need to do?
1. The translation languages (to > from) needs to be set up under your “My Preferences” menu, together with read aloud settings.
2. If youai??i??re having problems accessing the text to speech, dictionary, or translation services through Texthelp, please inform your network administrator that that following two URLs should be whitelisted:
https://knovationservices.speechstream.net and https://knovationtoolbar.speechstream.net
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