Kurzweil 3000 Kurzweil 3000 is text-to-speech assistive technology software that provides help in areas such as reading, writing, and study skills for anyone, including those with learning disabilities, who are blind, or have low vision. This software can read aloud Internet pages, digital or scanned materials and convert these files into MP3 files to use on the go, or create your own documents. Kurzweil 3000 software uses tools developed based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), it has supports for Response to Intervention tiers, and presents materials through a multisensory approach allowing students with varying learning styles to access the content. There is a free 30-day trial available for this program. The full version can be purchased on the Kurzweil 3000 website for approximately $1,400. School districts can purchase it for district-wide use or individual school/classroom use. When first opening the software, it provides a ‘tip of the day’ highlighting a certain tool or way to use Kurzweil in the classroom.

Other Kurzweil Products and Resources Include: • • • •

Kurzweil 3000 Individuals Kurzweil 1000 Training videos Professional Development (strategies for using Kurzweil products)

Questions? Contact:

Kurzweil 3000

Savannah Markee: [email protected] Samantha Miller: [email protected]

Sources:

ABS. (2011, October 17.) Kurzweil 3000: Pros and cons. [Web log comment.] Retrieved from http://goo.gl/4WTdQr Cambium Learning Technologies. (2008.) SQ3R strategies with Kurzweil 3000. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/abI2wv Holzberg, C. S. (2014, September 22.) Product review: Kurzweil 3000. [Web log comment.] Retrieved from http://goo.gl/SPEFUC Kurzweil Education. (2014.) Retrieved from http://goo.gl/LxPAxf Ralph, K. (Date unknown.) Assistive technology review: Kurzweil 3000, a universal design learning tool. [Web log comment.] Retrieved from http://goo.gl/zFmWFv

Images:

Cover image courtesy of Savannah Markee, 2014. Markee, Savannah (Photographer). (2014). Kurzweil 3000 Software. Markee, Savannah (Photographer). (2014). Kurzweil 3000 Toolbar.

Assistive Technology— A Text-to-Speech Tool

Tools

This is a selection of the many available features offered by the Kurzweil 3000 software.

Read Aloud

This function can read uploaded materials or read material as you type. It starts and stops where you choose for it to stop. The settings can be changed for how it reads through the document, the mode (continuous, self-paced, or word-by-word), the unit (word, phrase, line, or sentence), and the voice (who reads it).

Bubble Note

This tool is a way for the teacher to assess the student’s comprehension throughout a document by asking questions and having the student answer. Allows students to insert their own questions for the teacher to answer them.

Predictive Word

This is a feature that can predict the word before you type it. There are several dictionaries included in the software and you are allowed to add words. (The trial version does not allow you to select the word within it, but it provides a model for the user to spell the word correctly.

Highlighter and Circle Tools

This feature allows teachers and students to mark important ideas, questions, directions, etc. The different colors of the tools can be color-coded for easier use. The purchased version allows you to highlight text and extract it.

Sticky Note

These can be used to include notes or questions about the text. They are very easily visible. A good use of this feature is for teachers to provide editing notes for the students.

Foot Note

This function allows teachers to pre-insert questions, clarifications, information, etc. into the document. A good use of this function is to allow students to view extra content about the text.

Ideas for Classroom Use • • • •

Writing papers Editing papers Taking notes Accommodating assignments (Read Aloud, typing instead of writing) • Class discussion with notes

Pros & Cons Pros:

• Available in mulitple languages • Documents can be copy and pasted into and from Kurzweil • Files can be created as MP3s and used on mobile devices • Useful from elementary school through post-secondary school for students with disabilities and typically developing students

Cons:

• Time consuming to train teachers for using the software • Time consuming to teach students for classroom use • Expensive cost