This is a brief guide on the basic functions of Readspeaker within D2L. Readspeaker is a text-to-speech tool that reads digital text out loud using natural-sounding voices and found within the Content of D2L.
1. From the NavBar in D2L, select Content. In Content you will see the Readspeaker tool at the top of each module within Content. By selecting the Listen or play icon Readspeaker will automatically being reading the page.
2. When you have selected play the toolbar for Readspeaker will expand to give more options in order: Menu, Listen, Pause, Stop, Skip Backward (5 seconds), Skip Forward (5 seconds), Volume, Reading Speed, Close. The Menu button will open the menu options for Readspeaker Settings, Pause/Stop will stop the reading of the page, Skip Backwards/Forwards will prompt the reader to skip ahead the allotted amount, Volume will control the Readspeaker Volume, Reading Speed will adjust the speed at which the page is read, Close will stop the reading and close the toolbar.
The Readspeaker Menu has several options we will go over in order: Settings, Reading Voice, Keyboard Mode, Click and Listen, Enlarge Text, Text Mode, Page Mask, Download mp3, and Help.
1. In Content wherever you see the Readspeaker tool, select the icon with three horizontal lines to access the Menu. From the Menu you will select Settings
2. From the settings window you can change several features of Readspaker.
At the top you will see the general Readspeaker toolbar for reading within the settings, it has: Play, Stop, Volume, Reading Speed, Text size change options for smaller and larger, Textmode settings which allow for change of font/coloring/size, Maximize of Minimize the Settings, and the Close button.
On the left side you will see the various options within Settings in order: Highlighting, Other Settings, Settings for Reading Tools, Shortcuts, and Restore.
1. In Hightlighting, as seen below you can select whether the feature will be on or off, and what it will highlight. Question mark symbols to the right of the options provide more in depth information on what each setting does.
2. In Other Settings automatic scrolling, the pop-up menu, and pop-up player can be toggled on or off. Question mark symbols to the right provide more information on these settings.
3. In Settings for Reading Tools you can adjust the Page Mask with an example of what the settings will look like when enabled at the bottom of the page.
4. In Shortcuts you can toggle on/off the shortcuts key and select which keys you will use for the shortcuts enabled. Question mark icons on the right provide further detail on the options and settings.
5. In Restore default options can be selected to restore all or the selected options back to default settings. Question mark icons on the right provide further detail.
2. The Reading Voice will allow you to select a variety of accents or languages.
3. Keyboard Mode, Click and Listen, and Enlarge Text are three on/off toggle features. Keyboard Mode is to use Readspeaker strictly via keyboard, Click and Listen enables you to click anywhere and have it read back the text, Enlarge Text will enlarge text on the page.
4. Text Mode will turn the page into a simple text page as opposed to the standard design or layout and still retains the Readspeaker toolbar.
You may need to scroll down on the page after selecting textmode depending on the length of the oage to find the text box. You can then maximize, move or enlarge the text window.
5. Page Mask allows for the focus tool to be used. Page Mask shades the rest of the screen, leaving only a customizable horizontal bar. The question mark icon on the Page Mask provides more information on the tool. Click the + or - icons will increase or decrease the mask size, click the x icon will leave Page Mask mode.
6. Download mp3 allows for audio downloads of the text for areas like Content, PDFs, etc. To download select Download mp3 on the page. A new window will appear for Terms of Use, select Agree and Download File for the download to commence.
7. The Help setting will open a more in depth how-to and explanation of Readspeaker and its functions.
When you highlight text with your mouse or trackpad anywhere in the D2L environment, three options will populate: Listen, which reads only the selected/hightlighted text, Dictionary which provides definitions in a new pop-up window (you may need to scroll down on the page to view), and Translate which will translate the selected text to various languages.
Translation is not available in language courses course such as Spanish, German, etc.
Readspeaker does not work with PDFs, embedded documents, DOCs, etc.
1. To access Readspeaker on Course Pages/Webpages, click on Content from the D2L NarBar, then select the page you are trying to access.
2. Once the page has loaded you will see the Readspeaker toolbar with the previously gone over options to select.
Please note, Readspeaker only functions with the D2L/Brigthspace LMS and will not work with third party tools (LTI's) such as Pearson, McGrawHill, etc.
If you encounter any issues with ReadSpeaker, such as the “Listen” button not appearing, concerns about reading accuracy, or general tool malfunctions, please submit a ticket. Our team will assist you as soon as possible.
0 Comments
Add your comment