The primary aim / goal of using Kurzweil 3000 is to allow students with reading difficulties to remain in the mainstream classroom and use the reading assistance provided by the software. Miller and Zahner (2004) explain that it is a reading software program which allows: (a) individuals to scan textbooks and use the reading software to dictate the various highlighted words and sentences for the student with the learning difficulty or reading problem (b) provides the definitions of words all by a click of a button and (c) It is a scanning, reading and writing solution for individuals with reading and learning difficulties. Kurzweil 3000 is recognised as being one of the most comprehensive and sophisticated applications in addressing language and literacy problems for students with learning difficulties. Disseldorp and Chambers (2002) also state that the ability to hear text spoken by a computer could be the key to unlocking barriers in acquiring information and providing more independent access to reading material content for these students. Heller (2005) explains that Text to Speech software uses a multi sensory approach which combines highlighted text with speech output. Examples of these types of applications would include Kurzweil 3000 and TextHelp V9.Įxamining the idea of Text to Speech software in more depth, Wissick (2005) explains that this type of software is used to convert words on a computer screen into audible speech in addition to being able to speak letters, words or sentences as they are being typed. This category of Assistive Technology software has many potential benefits to assist dyslexic students in both reading and writing. Text to Speech software is used to convert words on a computer screen into audible speech and can also be configured to speak letters, words or sentences as they are typed. An example of this type of software would include Prophet and Co-Writer This enables the student to focus on the background of the words rather than on the spelling of words. When the pupil types the first letter of a word, a list of words is presented to them. Word prediction applications normally work in conjunction with a word processor by suggesting a list of words for the user, as text is entered on the keyboard. Examples of these types of applications would include Mindjet Mindmanager and Inspiration This category of software is composed of both Mind Maps and Concept Maps. Martin (1994) defines concept maps as being ‘two dimensional representations of cognitive structures showing the hierarchies and the interconnections of concepts involved in a discipline or sub discipline’. Lerner (2000) defines Visual Mapping software as ‘… visual representations of concepts, knowledge or information that incorporate both text and pictures’. Visual Mapping software is used to represent ideas or information in the form of symbols and pictures which can take many forms such as spider diagrams or logic charts. An example of this program would include Dragon Naturally Speaking software. With the appropriate software installed on the computer, the speech will be converted into text on the screen. The user speaks into a microphone which is connected to a computer. Voice Recognition software facilitates an alternative method to keyboard typing whereby a person can operate a computer through the mode of dictation. The article will finish with a description of the results that evolved in the study. A discussion about Kurzweil 3000 and the advantages of this application will be outlined, followed by an examination of the site and setting for the study. This will be followed by providing the reader with a more detailed description about Text to Speech software. For the purposes of this article, four specific types of Assistive Technology software will be described: (a) Voice Recognition Technology (b) Visual Mapping software (c) Word Prediction software and (d) Text to Speech software. As more technology is being developed and used in education, one particular field that is growing in popularity is the area of ICT and Special Educational Needs, in particular Assistive Technology software which represents another important component of Assistive Technology. At present, computer technology has become ubiquitous in the areas of education, employment, community and recreational environments.
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