At one time there was an alphasmart with dectalk...based on the original
alphasmart - greyish case...it was designed for use as a voice output
communication aid...
It might have been available from Don Johnston I think - someone at ace
north should know - can't remember its name though..
Simon Bloor
Centre Manager
Access SUMMIT
St Peter's House
Precinct Centre
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9GH
Supporting disabled students in Manchester...
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web: www.access-summit.ac.uk
Tel: 01 61 275 0990
Fax: 0161 275 0991
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-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Trott [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 28 September 2003 17:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Alphasmart with voice synthesis?
In a message dated 28/09/03 14:40:12 GMT Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<< A student was hoping to use his laptop and Jaws to type notes live in
lectures - he has good touch typing skills and does not want to have to
record lectures and type up notes afterwards. However as laptops have
become heavier and less portable, he is finding his new one too heavy
to bring to college on public transport and carry it around every day.
There are desktop PCs with Jaws that he can use on campus, and we would
be happy to lend him an Alphasmart or equivalent if voice synthesis
could be added. >>
I don't think you can add any such thing to an Alphasmart.
Is that really practical - voice feedback in a lecture?
A student I assessed recently had used speech feedback at a specialist
college for blind students but this was in small classes with all the
students using the same equipment. The student herself said that she
thought speech feedback in a lecture at university would be disrupting
to others and would embarrass her. I guess she realised that her
mistakes would be read out to everyone as well as the sound disrupting
other students. She decided that a note taker would be more appropriate.
Mick Trott
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