ClaroRead PLUS

ClaroRead Features and Benefits

Text to Speech Features, Word Integration, Colour, Font & Spacing, Homophones, Dictionary, Word Prediction, Scan Paper & PDF, ScreenRuler, Claroview, USB Version, Works with Vista.

Make your PC Speak with a Human Voice

ClaroRead speaks back text as it is typed, allowing a student to check and proof-read their work quickly and easily. Text can be spoken at any point by highlighting individual sections of text and pressing Play - great for proofreading. Close integration with Microsoft Word 2003 and 2007, and Internet Explorer 6 and 7 means you can click and play at any point in a document or web page. A choice of male (RealSpeak Daniel) and female (Emily and Serena) human-sounding voices give clarity and dispense with the robotic quality of most computer voices. The inclusion of the Indian English voice Sangeeta and British English voice Serena along with classic British voice Jane in ClaroRead PLUS 2008 gives more listening options for all users. Spoken words can be tracked using a custom colour selection. Any accessible text under the mouse can be spoken if needed. A unique feature allows ClaroRead PLUS to echo back words and phrases dictated into any text processor or email application using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8, and 9.5 (any version). Make Audio files from text documents for listening to on your PC or a portable audio player. Simply Select and Save - great for revision or listening on the move. Audio quality has been further improved for 2008. A Text to Speech Pronunciation Dictionary is available to modify the way words are pronounced if needed. NEW! - Speak This Word: Allows the user to hear a single word spoken back in their desired voice, simply by holding the CTRL button ClaroRead 2008 will speak the word under the mouse pointer. NEW! - More Voice Choice: ClaroRead 2008 includes 5 English voices with the excellent new British English voice Serena. The add-on language range has been further extended to over 25 languages. NEW! - Sentence Review Mode: Allows the user to review their work sentence-by-sentence simply by clicking the Play button on the ClaroRead toolbar. To read the next sentence just click Play again (or press the hot key). Excellent for reviewing Word documents at your own pace.

Integration with Microsoft Word 2003 & 2007

ClaroRead provides a single tool bar for use in Microsoft Word that combines a homophone and tricky word dictionary, font and spacing commands, a thesaurus , spell checker button and a save to audio function. All have clear graphic icons for ease of recognition.

Font and Colour Changing

When working in Microsoft Word, ClaroRead’s Font Button allows you to modify the font size, type, and colour of the whole document very easily.

You can:

* Increase or decrease the font size.

* Change the font to one of 3 popular fonts with one click. The fonts can be chosen in the new ClaroRead Advanced Settings Editor.

* Change the colour of the text of a whole document and change the background colour of your PC easily.

Spacing

Text character, line and paragraph spacing using Microsoft Word menus requires some detailed knowledge. ClaroRead makes it simple to space out text, both in Word and on web pages using Internet Explorer 6 or 7. Pressing the Spacing Button when working in Word or Internet Explorer will help you:

* Expand spacing

* Change line spacing

* Changes the number of points (spaces) after the end of each paragraph.

Homophones and Tricky Words - Helping Choose the word

Homophones are words that are pronounced alike even if they differ in spelling or meaning, such as "pair" and "pear".

ClaroRead Homophone features will:

* Mark in colour all the homophones and confusable words in a document. Using the new Advanced Settings Editor, you can also add additional tricky and confusable words.

* The Check Feature will list alternative words that sound the same, along with the meaning of each word.

* Mark homophones in colour as you type.

Check Word - a single button press

ClaroRead provides a single Check Button for use in Microsoft Word that combines a homophone dictionary, thesaurus,reference dictionary and spellchecker, making the checking of your text and documents easier and more comprehensive.

If a word is a homophone the Homophone Check Box will appear, along with meanings. If the word has alternative words with the same or similar meaning, the Meaning Check Box will appear. You can then drill down further to see the dictionary definition. You can SpellCheck individual words or the whole of your document at any point.

The Check Boxes are fully speech enabled, so hovering the mouse over the words will make them speak. We also have over 1000 picture icons to help with word meanings.

Scan paper & Convert PDF files into Word (ClaroRead PLUS only)

Powerful optical character recognition (OCR) technology means that any paper document or PDF file becomes accessible. Through the integration of Omnipage 15 OCR engine, textbooks, photocopies and handouts are easily converted into Word documents. The text can then be spoken out by ClaroRead or edited. PDF files can also be unlocked and edited, opening a wealth of material for accessibility to every student, regardless of the format. This feature works using all scanners with TWAIN or WIA compatible scanners.

Word Prediction

ClaroRead contains a word prediction feature, enhanced in the 2007 version, which can be useful for certain computer users. ClaroRead uses a base prediction dictionary consisting of the most frequently used words in the English language. The dictionary learns as you type, and rejects words that don't pass the automatic spellcheck.

The Prediction List will automatically appear by your cursor during typing. Alternatively, you can dock the Prediction windows anywhere on the screen to use it as a reference.

The ClaroRead Advanced Settings Editor now allows the creation of multiple Prediction Dictionaries, by importing words from existing documents. Ideal for creating subject and curriculum specific dictionaries, it puts the tool into the hands of the teacher.

Talking Calculator

ClaroRead adds a voice to the Windows Calculator. Enter the sum with the numeric keyboard and the figures will be echoed back to you.

The buttons on a standard and scientific calculator can also be spoken, providing the speech settings are enabled. In addition, figures from Microsoft Excel can be spoken when using the cursor keys to move around.

ScreenRuler Reading Bar - included with ClaroRead PLUS

ClaroRead PLUS includes the separate program ScreenRuler. ScreenRuler is a separate application that works as a reading bar and strip magnifier. This allows part of the PC screen to be highlighted and magnified in a horizontal band.

This will assist anyone with viewing and concentrating on text or objects. It provides a 'strip' or 'ruler' across the screen which can magnify, change contrast, and 'grey' or 'dim' a background.

ClaroView - included with ClaroRead PLUS

Our new tinting product ClaroView is now included on the ClaroRead PLUS CD. ClaroView act as as a coloured overlay for the PC. Read the full details of ClaroView and see the demo from here.

New ClaroRead Premium

New ClaroRead Premium includes a special portable ClaroRead USB memory stick version. Runs directly from the memory stick on any PC - no files installed. Includes a RealSpeak Voice. ClaroRead Premium also includes Mindfull concept mapping software solution.

System Requirements:

* Windows Vista, XP, 2000
* Sound Card
* 512 MB RAM or more is recommended
* 250MB Hard Disk Space Maximum Required
* Scanner Supporting TWAIN or WIA Drivers requried for Scan2Text scan from paper. Click here for a list of compatible scanners (select Omnipage 15)
* Microsoft Word 2000, XP, 2003 or 2007 recommended

Claro Read Plus -

Claro Read Premium -

Inspiration V8

Out now! Version 8 with mind mapping (new), diagram and outline view.

The new Inspiration 8 UK Teacher's Guide, written by Jane Finch, Teacher Adviser for ICT at Worcestershire LA, is included FREE with every purchase of 5+ computer licences!

Using Inspiration students can build visual diagrams such as concept maps, mind maps and other diagrams to develop strong thinking and organisational skills and thus improve their academic performance and creativity across the curriculum.

Inspiration can be used right across the curriculum in all subjects to help develop thinking skills and structure projects, research or essays. Inspiration is interactive whiteboard enabled, offering handwriting and shape recognition and synchronises with Inspiration for Handhelds.

Price - R1,250

5 to 9 User (each) - R780

Kidspiration 2.1

An emergent reading, writing and visual learning tool for younger pupils, 4 - 7 years. Kidspiration 2.1 is a visual learning tool for Early Years pupils.

Kidspiration 2.1 offers even more ways to support emerging readers and writers. Added capabilities provide more opportunities for students to express themselves visually and to recognise the connection between words and their meanings. It also includes 75 ready-made activities, a new Venn diagram option, one-click transfer to word processors and expanded teacher options.

Students use Kidspiration 2.1 to:

* brainstorm ideas with pictures and words

* organise information visually

* create stories and descriptions using visual tools

* explore new ideas with thought webs and visual mapping.

Now you can see symbols paired with words in Writing View. Symbols can even be used to represent a group - for example, place items in a backpack to represent the school. Students can even draw their own on-screen symbols.

1 User - R800

5 User - R2,400

Developing Reading and Spelling Skills

Nessy

Nessy is an interactive, multimedia resource that enables all abilities and ages to read, write and spell with confidence, enthusiasm and enjoyment. Each of the 120 lessons follows a structured, phonic approach supported by printable card games, activity sheets, mnemonics and computer games, delivered in a simple and fun way.

* 259 card and board games

* 586 different versions of 12 animated computer games

* 1500 printable activity sheets, rules and word lists

* Animated spelling rules

* A library of ready-made mnemonics

* Storybooks with decodable text

* Reading and spelling assessments to track progress

* Record your own words to play with the games

* Motivational writing activities

The program has been created to help dyslexic students between 5 and 16 years old to learn to read, write and spell in a fun, yet effective way. It is easy to use, gives a simple lesson structure that saves time planning and has strategies that can be used by class assistants without guidance.

Based on 40 years of research and practical teaching and developed for dyslexic children by specialists at the Bristol Dyslexia Centre, the Nessy Learning Programme combines a system of structured incremental phonics linked with language, writing skills and vocabulary development. The highly motivational game based learning has also proved a hit with EBD, EAL, Down’s Syndrome, Asperger's and mainstream pupils.

The clear, phonic based structure includes printable card games, activity sheets, mnemonics and computer games. Children love recording their own words to play with the computer games. The impressive graphics and game driven approach make learning fun and motivating. Successful trials have shown Nessy helps to rebuild self-confidence and improve literacy skills.

Nessy has proved extremely effective in addressing the needs of disaffected students and is so easy to use that teachers can spend less time directing learning support assistants and parent assistants. The clear structure provides format, which saves time in IEP preparation.

In two pilot trials dyslexic children using this programme made on average two years academic progress per year in comparison to their non-dyslexic peers who did not use this programme. In one instance a child made 3.5 years academic progress in a year.

1 User - R2,100

3 CD Pack - R5,240

5 CD Pack - R7,300

WordShark 4

Wordshark 4The new version of WordShark now includes 3,000 extra words from the KS3 curriculum to use in the games. It also has sentences, devised by teachers, that allow the user to see the words in context. WordShark's thirty-six different games use sound, graphics and text to practice word recognition and spelling. The games and 1,500 pre-recorded words have been targeted to assist those with specific learning difficulties. Suitable for home and school use, across all ages.

The games provide high motivation and interest, with each game helping with one or more aspects of reading and spelling. Games are included to emphasise rules for suffixes, plurals, syllable division, dictionary skills and word shapes.

You can easily add your own words for learners to practice and the program keeps student records too.

1 User - R1,200

5 User - R4,720

10 User Network License - R6,980

15 User Network License - R9,100

20 User Network License - R10,880

25 User Network License - R12,730

30 User Network License - R14,570

35 User Network License - R16,420