Sorting Through the Features of Scan and Read Systems for People with Learning Disabilities - Part Two: Writing, Study Skills, and Test Taking Features
By Marfilius, Scott; Fonner, Kelly; Closing the Gap, Vol. 23, No. 6, pp. 15-17Publication Date: February/March 2005
Article is the second in a two-part series that examines the features of scan and read systems, including: (1) Kurzweil 3000 Version 8, (2) Kurzweil 3000 Version 2, (3) Read & Write Version 7, (4) Read & Write Gold Version 7, (5) Scan and Read Pro Version 6.01, (6) Test Talker Version 7, (7) Test Talker Version 1.1, (8) Word Smith, (9) WYNN Version 3.5, and (10) Scan N Talk from Colligo. The devices are discussed in terms of their writing, study skill, and test taking features. Writing features include text-to-speech capabilities, dictionary and thesaurus applications, and word prediction, while study skill features include highlighting, note taking, fact folders, voice messaging, and book marking. The highlighting capabilities of Read and Write Gold are discussed, while WYNN has built-in outlining features that allow the user to create an outline to correspond with a particular document. The test taking features of the Test Talker programs were noted, as the applications feature multiple choice and matching test items, with clickable boxes placed next to the answers. The authors contend that they do not believe that one of the applications mentioned in the article is better than the other, and that each program can be used to meet the needs of different individuals.
Assistive Products Discussed: TESTTALKER
SCAN N TALK
WYNN WIZARD & WYNN READER
SCAN AND READ PRO
KURZWEIL 3000 FOR MACINTOSH
KURZWEIL 3000 FOR WINDOWS
TEXTHELP! READ & WRITE
READ & WRITE GOLD, READ & WRITE GOLD FOR MAC, & READ & WRITE GOLD MOBILE
Published by: Closing the Gap, Inc. (Website:http://www.closingthegap.com)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number R08573
