Sci-Voice Lab Solution GW Micro, Inc.
Getting Started with Sci-Voice Lab Solution
Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of Sci-Voice Lab Solution. Sci-Voice Lab Solution is
designed to enable students who are blind or visually impaired to fully participate in
hands-on laboratory experiments and other essential activities related to scientific data
collection and analysis. The Sci-Voice Lab Solution can be used to collect and analyze
scientific data in the classroom, at the workplace or in the field.
The Sci-Voice Lab Solution includes a combination of commercially available software
and hardware components that have been adapted and seamlessly integrated into one
comprehensive and accessible package through a collaborative effort between GW
Micro and Independence Science.
Please note that you or your organization may already own one or more of the SciVoice Lab Solution components. If this is the case, you will need access to the
components that you already own prior to getting started with Sci-Voice Lab Solution.
After reading the Getting Started guide, you should be able to identify each component
of Sci-Voice Lab Solution, understand the purpose of each component as well as how to
install and configure each of the components for use.
Components
Talking LabQuest
The Talking LabQuest (TLQ) is an adapted version of the commercially available
Vernier LabQuest hand-held data collection and analysis device. The LabQuest has
been adapted and made accessible for individuals who are blind or visually impaired
through the installation of Independence Science’s Sci-Voice Access for LabQuest textto-speech software plugin. The Sci-Voice Access for LabQuest software plugin has
already been installed on your LabQuest.
The Talking LabQuest can be used by students who are blind or visually impaired to
collect data in the field or act as the hardware interface between your PC and any
number of Vernier sensors when working in the classroom or laboratory. For example,
a student could use the Talking LabQuest to collect pH and temperature measurements
from a local river or the student could connect the Talking LabQuest to the PC and
collect pH and temperature measurements from various solutions in the classroom.
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The student would need to have a pH sensor and temperature sensor connected to the
Talking LabQuest in order to complete the tasks listed above.
In addition, the Talking LabQuest provides access to an interactive periodic table with
over 20 audio descriptors for each element. For example, you can use the Talking
LabQuest to obtain the symbol, atomic weight and melting point of the element lead.
Here is an overview of the two components that make up the Talking LabQuest:
Vernier LabQuest
LabQuest from Vernier is a portable hand held device that can be used to collect
scientific data from more than 70 different Vernier sensors. For example, you can
obtain sensors for the LabQuest that measure temperature, pH, motion, current, and
sound. Sensors are available for a wide variety of scientific fields including Biology,
Chemistry, and Physics to meet the needs of any educational curriculum. The
LabQuest is one of the two main components that make up the Talking LabQuest.
Important Note: Vernier sensors are not included with Sci-Voice Lab Solution and one
or more sensors will need to be purchased separately in order to collect data. If you
would like to review a comprehensive listing of Vernier Sensors that are compatible with
the Sci-Voice Lab Solution, please visit:
http://www.vernier.com/products/interfaces/talking-labquest/.
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Sci-Voice Access for LabQuest
Sci-Voice Access for LabQuest is the text-to-speech plugin developed by Independence
Science and has been pre-installed on the LabQuest. You can think of as the screen
reader for the LabQuest. Once installed, LabQuest’s menus and screen elements will
be spoken with synthesized speech making the device more accessible and user
friendly for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Sci-Voice Access for
LabQuest is the second component that when combined with LabQuest make up the
Talking LabQuest (TLQ).
Accessible Logger Pro
Accessible Logger Pro is an adapted version of the commercially available Logger Pro
data collection and analysis application from Vernier. GW Micro has developed the
powerful Window-Eyes screen reader and special scripts for Logger Pro that allow blind
or visually impaired individuals to access to the key features of the award winning
Logger Pro data collection and analysis application.
Accessible Logger Pro can be used by students who are blind or visually impaired to
collect data in the classroom or laboratory. To collect data with Accessible Logger Pro,
you will need to connect the Talking LabQuest to the PC and the Talking LabQuest will
need to have at least one sensor connected. After connecting the Talking LabQuest to
the PC, Accessible Logger Pro will recognize the sensor and allow you to collect data
directly into the application.
You can also use Accessible Logger Pro to analyze data that you have collected. For
example, you can obtain statistical information about your data to identify the data set’s
average or maximum value. You can also use Accessible Logger Pro to obtain an
audio representation of the data as it appears on a Cartesian graph. This feature can
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be helpful when trying to identify trends in the collected data such as a steadily
increasing temperature or a drop in the pH level.
It is important to point out that there are two different methods of making data available
in Accessible Logger Pro for analysis. The first is to import data that has been collected
by the Talking LabQuest. Data collected with the Talking LabQuest will be stored in a
.cmbl file and you can import the .cmbl file into Accessible Logger Pro to analyze the
data. The second method involves collecting data directly into Accessible Logger Pro
with one or more sensors and using the Talking LabQuest as the interface between the
sensors and Accessible Logger Pro running on your computer.
Accessible Logger Pro consists of the following four components:
Logger Pro
Logger Pro from Vernier is a powerful and award winning software application that can
be used to collect and analyze data on your PC. Logger Pro’s key features include:
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Collect live data from more than 75 different sensors and devices
Manually enter data for graphing and analysis
Import data that has been collected with LabQuest
Read values and slope from graphs using the examine and tangent tools
Perform statistical analysis of data
Print graphs and data tables
Audio trace of graphs
Use a variety of data-collection modes as needed for your experiment: timebased data, selected events, events with typed-in entries, photogate, radiation
counting, and more.
Window-Eyes
Window-Eyes is a full featured and completely customizable screen reading application
for Windows. Window-Eyes provides speech and Braille access to Windows based
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applications as well as to operating system utilities and interfaces. Window-Eyes is used
by individuals who are blind to access their computers independently. Window-Eyes
helps people who are visually impaired reach successful outcomes both in education
and the work place.
Window-Eyes App for Logger Pro
The Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro is an accessibility bridge between Logger Pro
and Window-Eyes. The app includes several accessibility enhancements that enable
students using Window-Eyes to take full advantage of all of the features offered by
Logger Pro.
Window-Eyes App for Logger Pro Authorization File
The Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro is copy protected and needs to be authorized
before it can be used. The Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro authorization file is used
to authorize the Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro. The authorization file is associated
with your Window-Eyes serial number and will only work with your Window-Eyes
license.
Accessible Logger Pro Software Installation
Required Components
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Logger Pro installation CD (physical delivery)
o Your Logger Pro installation CD is included with Sci-Voice Lab Solution
Window-Eyes installation CD (physical delivery)
o Your Window-Eyes installation CD is included with Sci-Voice Lab Solution
Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro (electronic delivery)
o Download link: http://www.gwmicro.com/apps/logger_pro or use AppGet
Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro authorization file (electronic delivery)
o Authorization file attached to Sci-Voice Lab Solution order confirmation
email
Minimum System Requirements
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Windows® XP SP3, Vista SP2, Vista 64 SP2, Windows 7, or Windows 7 64
Pentium® processor or equivalent running at 2GHz or faster
1 GB total minimum RAM
200 MB of hard disk space for a minimum installation
Available USB port for connecting LabQuest to PC
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Installation Order and Instructions
1. Window-Eyes
i.
Place the Window-Eyes CD in the CD-ROM drive of your computer.
ii.
If you have Autorun enabled, the installation will launch automatically;
otherwise launch Setup.exe from the CD.
iii.
The Window-Eyes installer will start, and a series of dialog boxes will step
you through the installation of Window-Eyes.
iv.
You will be prompted to restart the computer to complete the installation
process.
2. Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro
i.
Download Logger_Pro.wepm from App Central or using AppGet.
ii.
Run the file to initiate the installation process.
iii.
You will hear package installed when the app has been successfully
installed.
3. Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro activation file
i.
Locate the Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro Authorization file
(logger_pro_PXXXXXXXXX.wepm) where PXXXXXXXX represents your
Window-Eyes serial number.
ii.
Run the file to initiate the installation process.
iii.
You will hear package installed when the activation file has been
successfully installed
4. Logger Pro
i.
Place the Logger Pro CD in the CD-ROM drive of your computer.
ii.
If you have Autorun enabled, the installation will launch automatically;
otherwise launch Setup.exe from the CD.
iii.
The Logger Pro installer will start, and a series of dialog boxes will step
you through the installation of the Logger Pro software. We recommend
that you accept the default directory.
Connecting Talking LabQuest to the PC
To collect data with Logger Pro, you will need the Talking LabQuest interface and at
least one sensor. A Stainless Steel Temperature Sensor is a good choice for initial
testing of Logger Pro.
1. Connect power to Talking LabQuest using the Vernier power supply if battery
level is low
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2. Connect the Talking LabQuest to one of the computer’s USB ports using the
supplied USB cable
3. Connect at least one sensors to a compatible input on the Talking LabQuest.
a. Sensors can be divided into two basic types: analog and digital
b. Analog sensors include temperature probes, pH sensors and force
sensors. Up to four analog sensors can be connected to the Talking
LabQuest.
c. Digital sensors include motion detectors, radiation monitors and
photogates. Up to two digital sensors can be connected to the Talking
LabQuest.
4. Power on the Talking LabQuest by pressing the oval shaped power button
located on the upper left corner of the unit’s front facing side. You will receive a
spoken prompt when the device powers on. The boot up time on the Talking
LabQuest is approximately 20-30 seconds.
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5. Launch Logger Pro on the PC using the desktop shortcut.
What’s Next? - Additional Resources
Congratulations, you have now successfully set up your equipment and installed all of
the components of Sci-Voice Lab Solution. You are ready to begin using Sci-Voice Lab
Solution!
The extensive Help system in Logger Pro provides detailed instructions for using the
application to collect and analyze data. You can access the Logger Pro help system
from the program’s help menu or by pressing F1 while the application is in focus.
To review a listing of Window-Eyes hotkeys that can be used in Logger Pro, please
refer to the Logger Pro and Window-Eyes hotkey reference. This file can be
downloaded from the following link:
http://www.gwmicro.com/Window-Eyes/Sci_Voice_Lab/LoggerProWindowEyesHotkeysReference.doc.
To learn more about using the Talking LabQuest, please refer to the Talking LabQuest
Quick Reference Guide or the more comprehensive Talking LabQuest Operation
Manual.
The Talking LabQuest quick reference guide can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.gwmicro.com/WindowEyes/Sci_Voice_Lab/TalkingLabQuestQuickStartGuide.doc.
The Talking LabQuest operation manual can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.gwmicro.com/WindowEyes/Sci_Voice_Lab/TalkingLabQuestOperationManual.doc
To find a listing of sample experiments compatible with Sci-Voice Lab Solution, please
visit: http://www.vernier.com/experiments/
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If you have additional questions about Sci-Voice Lab Solution, call or e-mail us. We will
be happy to help! You can reach GW Micro by phone at (260) 489-3671 or via email at
support@gwmicro.com.
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