Learner Development Service
A Guide to Assistive
Technologies: Read and
Write and Inspiration
An Illustrated Student Guide to
Assistive Technologies
‘Inspiration’ is a mind mapping software which is useful
for students with Dyslexia and other conditions which
may affect ability to organise ideas in a structured way.
‘TextHELP’ is a screen reading programme that reads
information aloud from of the computer screen. It can be
used to read aloud any text from the screen e.g. essays,
web pages etc and can help recognise and amend errors.
Functions of Inspiration
The ‘Learn to Use’ training video explains the basic functions
of Inspiration. You can click on any video within this section to
learn more about the complex functions.
1
With Inspiration you can transform your thinking into a
polished piece of written work. Once you have created the
visual aid you can transfer the whole document in to a word
processing package. Select File, Transfer to Word Processor.
Watch the Video
1If you prefer you can watch the Inspiration Training Video.
2Select ‘Learn to Use’ from the Inspiration Starter Screen.
3The following Screen will appear.
Click, Learn to Use, ‘Training Videos’, ‘2 Diagram View’, Large,
then ‘Introduction.mov’. The introduction video explains the
basic functions of Inspiration, you can click on other videos
within the ‘Training Videos’ section to learn about enhanced
functions of the programme.
2
Getting started with Inspiration
1 Start
2 All programmes
3 Learning Support
4Inspiration
Inspiration: A Visual Planning software package
Use Inspiration to help you: Mind-mapping ideas, make
notes from research, structure your thoughts and visually
communicate concepts. Through using Diagrams, Images and
Maps you can empower your own learning.
3
Choose the Visual style which suits you best
1 Mindmap: To make notes, organise information and
structure writing for essays, papers, presentations and
reports. Click on File, New and Create a Mindmap.
2 Outline: Will focus visual images created in Mindmap or
diagram into a list format. Click on File, New and Create an
outline.
3 Template: Struggling to start a project / essay? Struggling
with time management? Struggling to plan work? Use the
template function for Inspiration. Click on File, New and
Open template.
4
Inspiration Templates can be used for your success
•
•
•
•
to plan and prioritise tasks,
to start essays, assignments and projects,
to use visual and creative methods to structure essays,
to create your work from a template, using built in prompts
and plans.
Template to Success
If you need help with your subject, your structure, revision
techniques or your time management using a ‘Mindmap’ can
help you to focus and develop a learning strategy which will
allow you to work independently.
5
Inspiration Summary
‘Inspiration’ supporting visual thinking, a learning style in
which YOU can learn better, through understanding and
retaining information when concepts, words and ideas are
linked with images.
6
TextHELP Read and Write version 10
‘TextHELP’ Read and Write’ is a programme which will read
text on the screen. It can be used for proofreading work as
well as listening to other pieces of text such as information on
websites. The programme reads text displayed on the screen
out loud.
Use a set of earphones to avoid disturbing other people
working around you!
Getting started with TextHELP Read&Write:
1 All Programmes
2 Learning Support
3 Read and Write & Inspiration
This floating toolbar will appear over whatever programme you
are running. You can move the toolbar around your screen and
put it in the best place to suit you.
1
2
3 4
5
6
1 Spell Check: Text help as an easy to use spell checking
facility, which will provide you with a variety of spelling
options.
7
1
2
3 4
5
6
2 Confusing Words: Also known as ‘homophones’, these are
words which sound the same but have different meanings
and are spelt differently.
3 Play: Highlight the words you wish the computer to read
and then press play, pause or stop.
4 Speech Options: Choose the voice, tone, speed and pause
settings to suit you.
5 Highlighting: Key phrasing can be highlighted in a number
of colours to help you focus, review or revise information.
6 Exit: When you have had enough! Select the small arrow
next to Texthelp and close down.
8
The Video Tour
Click the black arrow at the far right of the tool.
‘textHELP Read&Write’ will work with Inspiration, all Microsoft
Office programmes and the internet. So explore and enjoy!
The ‘Quick Reference Card’ is a
brilliant guide to the icons on the
toolbar!
Watch the video and
explore your Texthelp
options
What can ‘textHELP Read&Write’ be used for?
•Proof reading your work.
•Listening to journals, articles written information and
comments from other programmes including the internet.
•Homophones: words that sound the same but are spelt
differently e.g. there/their.
•Supporting those who struggle with reading.
9
Customise your textHELP Read&Write
Through exploring with the video tour you can learn how to
change the options and customise the settings to suit your
individual preferences and needs.
You can:
•Change the voice, tone, pitch, speed and pause to suit you.
•Read by word, sentence or paragraph
•Use predictive text
•Use personal dictionary
•Use auto text
•Use study Skills tours
Learner Development Service
Manchester Metropolitan University
Telphone 0161 247 3491
Email
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Websitewww.mmu.ac.uk/learnerdevelopment
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