Module Area

Kurzweil Tools

Type of Tools

Alternative    Tools                                           

Tools Available in MS Word and PowerPoint                               

Reading

Text to Speech

Adobe Reader program contains a built-in text to speech capability for reading .pdfs.  

Natural Reader is a free text-to-speech software.  It can convert any written text such as MS Word, Webpage, PDF files, and Emails into spoken words.

CliCk,Speak — Text-to-Speech for Firefox is an open source extension for the Firefox web browser.  It reads web pages. 

ReadPlease 2003 - Reads any text you see on your screen - all purpose text-to-speech software.

WordTalk is a free text-to-speech plug-in for Microsoft Word.  It highlights the text as it reads it.                                                       

Power Talk is a free text-to-speech add-on that provides text-to-speech for PowerPoint files

Word Prediction

Let Me Type – My Study Bar - LetMe Type predicts words as you type.  It is free software.  It will work in any Windows application which allows for text input. As you type, a list of the most probable words appear in the prediction window. The prediction window can be placed anywhere on the screen so it doesn’t get in the way as you type.  It can be used from a USB stick.

mp3 creation 

WordTalk is a free text-to-speech plug-in for Microsoft Word.  It has a text-to-mp3 player.

Bookmark

Footnotes

Sticky Notes

Read by Skimming Using Highlight with Find feature

MS Word includes a highlighting and strikethrough feature to help students skim text by highlighting words

AutoSummarize

Microsoft Word has an Autosummarize feature built right into it.  In 2003 it can be accessed from the Tools menu and in 2007 it needs to be added to the Quick Access Toolbar. 

Writing

Webbing/Graphic Organizers

Bubbl.us is a simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online.

Mindomo is a web-based mindmapping tool that allows the user to get things done in a visual way

Webspiration  is a free beta provided by the makers of Inspiration.  With a free account you can store webs online.  Has limited icon choice and you can't use templates but works great for a free application

Use the Diagram feature built into Microsoft Word. These simple graphic organizers allow you to create organizational charts, cycles or relationships between concepts.

Create a graphic organizer using one of the many SmartArt graphics in PowerPoint

Outlining

Loosestitch is a free online outliner tool that allows you to create and share outlines.

Tile Vertically/Horizontally

Comparing 2 Documents

Use the side by side feature in MS Word.  Great feature for outline and draft, reading text in one document and answering questions in the other.  Go to Window - Side-by-Side

Automatic Spellcheck

The automatic spellcheck in MS Word can be turned on to assist students with the writing process.

Automatic spellcheck, grammar and capitalization

The automatic spellcheck, grammar and capitalization in MS Word can be turned on to assist students with the writing process.

Dictionary/Synonyms & Thesaurus

WordWeb - WordWeb is a free English thesaurus and dictionary software for Windows.  Definitions can be highlighted and spoken using Natural Reader

MS Word has a built in dictionary, synonym and thesaurus.  Students can refine the writing process by right clicking to find a synonym, definition or an alternate word for their writing

WordTalk is a free text-to-speech plug-in for Microsoft Word. It has a talking dictionary.

Voice comments

You can add Voice Comments to MS Word. If you have Word 2003 you can Add Voice Notes.

Highlighting

Awesome Highlighter is a free application that allows you to highlight and leave sticky notes on web pages.

MS Word includes a highlighting and strikethrough feature to help students revise and edit

Word Look-up

Hyper-words Firefox Add-on lets you select any word or text and then perform a multitude of actions including define, look up in wikipedia, search on google, convert, translate, shop for, copy, send to Twitter, etc. 

Writing Math

Writing Math Equations

Equation Editor – directions on how to add it to the toolbar in Word,  Excel and PowerPoint

Equation Editor is a formula editor.  It enables users to construct math and science equations.  It is included in Microsoft Office.  It is a simplified version of MathType.  Both were created by Design Science.  Click on the link to download a tip sheet for installation of Equation Editor in Word 2003 and Word 2007 (to be added soon) 

Writing Chemistry

Writing Chemistry Equations

Chem4Word

Chem4Word    is a new Chemistry Add-in for Word 2007 and 2010. The authors say that this add-in is a tool for writing and rendering semantically rich chemistry information in Microsoft Word documents. This project is a partnership with Peter Murray-Rust of the University of Cambridge. 

Studying

Highlighting

Awesome Highlighter is a free application that allows you to highlight and leave sticky notes on web pages.

MS Word includes a highlighting and strikethrough feature to help students revise and edit

Graphic Organizers

Mindomo is a web-based mindmapping tool that allows the user to get things done in a visual way

Webspiration  is a free beta provided by the makers of Inspiration.  With a free account you can store webs online.  Has limited icon choice and you can't use templates but works great for a free application

Use the Diagram feature built into Microsoft Word. These simple graphic organizers allow you to create organizational charts, cycles or relationships between concepts.

Create a graphic organizer using one of the many SmartArt graphics in PowerPoint

Word Look-up

Hyper-words Firefox Add-on lets you select any word or text and then perform a multitude of actions including define, look up in wikipedia, search on google, convert, translate, shop for, copy, send to Twitter, etc. 

Voice Comments

You can add Voice Comments to MS Word. If you have Word 2003 you can Add Voice Notes.

Test-Taking

Comparing Two Documents Side-by-Side

Use the side by side feature in MS Word.  Great feature for putting the text on one side and the test on the other.  Go to Window - Side-by-Side 

E-Text

Librivox

ARC-BC

Scanning

SimpleOCR – Unlike Abbyy FineReader or Adobe Acrobat, Simple OCR software is a fairly basic solution but it is completely free and may appeal to budget conscious consumers.?????

Abbyy FineReader

Alternate Means of Expression

Digital Storytelling

Animoto – Create music videos for your images/pictures

Microsoft Photo Story 3 for Windows XP -lets you create slideshows with your photos

Mixed Book - create beautiful photo books online

PhotoPeach - create photoshows in minutes

Voice Thread – way to talk about share your images, documents and video online