Introduction:
Michigan Virtual offers a tool called ReadSpeaker TextAid (referred to as "TextAid" for short) to assist students who may require text to be read aloud in areas of the course where webReader or docReader tools are not available. To utilize TextAid, it must be installed on the web browser of the student's computer.
Details:
Using and Installing TextAid in the Course
Typically, the text-to-speech feature can be accessed in Michigan Virtual courses through webReader or docReader, and a notification to use the feature will appear automatically at the top of the page or above the item to be read. If prompts for webReader or docReader do not appear on the page, TextAid must be used instead. TextAid is an add-on that needs to be installed on your computer's browser for use on any webpage or downloaded file from your course.
To install TextAid on your web browser, begin by opening a Michigan Virtual Course that you are currently enrolled in and locate the Course Quick Access drop-down menu. From there, scroll down to find and click on the TextAid link, as indicated below.
You will then be directed to the ReadSpeaker TextAid Privacy Update - Consent Form. If you agree to the terms, click the green button at the bottom of the page that says "I accept these terms". If you do not consent, click "Cancel".
Once you have accepted the terms, ReadSpeaker TextAid will open the TextAid workspace. On the left side of the screen, select the Web Reading button as shown below.
Then, click on the Desktop link and choose "Other Browser" from the list of options.
Ensure that your browser is displaying its Bookmark Bar. If you are unsure of how to do this, click on the name of your browser below for instructions:
- Firefox
- Chrome
- Safari and Internet Explorer (IE9 and higher)
(For Internet Explorer 8, please right-click the link and select "Add to Favorites")
Next, drag and drop the TextAid Web Reader link into your browser's bookmarks bar. TextAid Web Reader should now appear as a bookmark in your browser's bookmark bar.
Using TextAid to Read Course Files Downloaded from Michigan Virtual
To use TextAid to read course files downloaded from Michigan Virtual, first, click on the TextAid Web Reader bookmark on your browser's bookmark bar. This will open a simplified version of the TextAid floating menu bar in front of the page you're viewing.
Next, highlight the text you want to hear and click on the triangle Play button in the floating menu bar. The highlighted text will be read out loud after a short pause.
To open the full TextAid web application, click on the paper icon with a plus icon in the lower corner (Open in TextAid button) in the floating menu bar. This will open the TextAid application. Click on the green triangle Listen button to play the audio.
To upload and have TextAid read a course file (e.g., .doc, .docx, .txt, .pdf), click on the Library option in the left menu of the TextAid application. This will open a dialog box that allows you to upload the course file. After uploading the file, you will have the option to have TextAid read portions of the file to you.
