NAME: textHelp! WordSmith 2

by Trevor Allan, DLO, The Australian National University

Contents

Brief Description
Student Profile
Background
Features

Operation

Activation
WordSmith Toolbar
textHELP! Menu
Speech Options
Spelling Options
Prediction Options
General Options
Scanning Options
Integration with MS Word
BrowseAloud in Internet Explorer

Evaluation
Comparison
Advantages
Disadvantages
Training requirements
Integration
Source and Cost
System Requirements
Student Comments

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

WordSmith 2 is a Scanning/Reading program which allows the scanning of documents into either a Word Processor (MS Word) or Internet Browser (Explorer) which is then able to be read aloud by the inbuilt Screen Reader. The program also incorporates Read'Write 5, with its Study Skills features such as Spelling Support, Word Prediction, Homophones, Thesaurus, etc.

WordSmith is able to scan an exact replica of the page (into Explorer), including any graphics, which is then able to be read aloud, with the text in the original image being highlighted as it is read. This allows the user to view the original images, as well as hear text.

The program allows for various configurations of colour schemes to highlight text, screen reading options, different voices and characters and various lanuage tools.

STUDENT PROFILE

Primarily designed for people with Learning Disabilities, but may be helpful for people with Vision Impairment, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy or Autism. N.B. People with severe keyboard impairments, such as people with Cerebral Palsy, who use a head pointer to enter text, may benefit significantly from the use of the Word Prediction functions of this program.

BACKGROUND

Both Read'nWrite and WordSmith are "background" programs, meaning they operate in conjunction with other programs such as Word or Explorer, rather than in their own window. This can be beneficial since the functionality and features of the main program can be retained, and any files produced will be standard Word documents or HTML files, thus ensuring compatibility and consistency. Users also build confidence and skills in using mainstream software.

textHelp! Read'nWrite has been available for some time, but if print material was needed to be converted to digital format for Screen Reading or other purposes, the material needed to be scanned using an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Program, proofread and edited, then the program could use its various features to enhance both output and input of material. This process meant that the only material on screen was the text, with no graphics such as pictures, diagrams or graphs. This process is both time-consuming and limited, since, in many instances, the graphic material is crucial to understanding.

WordSmith enables users to scan graphics as well as text, and, although the screen reader cannot "read" graphics, the text is able to be placed in context, and graphics viewed in conjunction with the text. This can be a significant advantage for people with Learning Disabilities, who can process graphic material.

If an exact replica of the page is required, then it can be scanned into MS Explorer as a HTML file. This file can be read by the Screen Reader in Explorer. Otherwise it can be scanned directly into MS Word, where graphics can also be scanned, but they may not retain the exact formatting of the original. If the HTML material needs editing or proofreading, the OCR text can be edited in Word by simply clicking on a button on the WordSmith toolbar (see Operation section).

Features (From textHelp! Web site):

Scanning - Scan any text document into Word 97/2000/XP enabling on screen editing and text reading. Scanned material will be incorporated into a familiar mainstream environment, allowing the document to be made available to other Microsoft Word Users. There is also the option to scan any text document into Internet Explorer for "near perfect" image generation or a text only image to which a User defined style sheet can be applied.

Speech - WordSmith colour highlights and reads words, sentences or paragraphs, providing audio-visual reinforcement and helping to develop recognition of new words and vocabulary.

Spelling - WordSmith incorporates the latest advanced spellchecker specifically designed to solve the most complex of phonetic errors. The spellchecker can be customized to suit individual needs. Errors are logged to allow monitoring of progress and the development of literacy skills.

Homophone Support - WordSmith will identify and provide audible definition for various like sounding words.

Word Prediction - This will aid in sentence construction by suggesting and predicting words. Word predictor will learn as correct text is typed, dramatically aiding the development of literacy and increasing accuracy. With grammar and phonetic based word prediction.

Thesaurus - 180,000 word thesaurus (List of words with a similar meaning) will help increase literacy and creative writing skills.

Word Wizard - Word wizard assists in developing creative sentences by offering solutions for vocabulary.

Pronunciation - The Pronunciation Tutor will break words into syllables allowing easy recognition and pronunciation. Includes a moving mouth, to aid the development of more accurate speech. Pronunciation is enhanced by use of the International Phonetic Alphabet.

BrowseAloud - An add-in for Internet Explorer allows web pages to be read with highlighting in-page.

Operation

N.B. textHELP WordSmith is a complex and flexible program that has many features, adjustments and potential configurations. This description of its operation is not intended to be comprehensive. It is recommended that users take the time to read the accompanying manual and take advantage of the extensive Help files. This outline is designed to give an overview of the potential features and use of the program, not to operate as a User Manual.

Activation

Users can nominate whether to enable the automatic operation of WordSmith within Word, or to enable the Browse Aloud functions in Explorer. This is done by a simple click or unclick within the Dialogue box below:

Figure 1: WordSmith Enable or Disable Dialogue box

WordSmith Toolbar

Once WordSmith has been activated, a WordSmith toolbar appears in MS Word, to allow for the operation of the program through a series of menu buttons incorporated into the MS Word menu including (See Figure 2 below, from Left to Right):

• Spelling
• Word Prediction
• Thesaurus
• Word Wizard
• Show Homonyms
• Find Homonyms
• Hide Homonyms
• Speak Selected Text
• Read Previous
• Read Current
• Read Next
• Pause Speech
• Word, Sentence or Paragraph read selector
• Stop Speaking
• Pronunciation
• Scan Button
• TextHELP Menu

Figure 2: WordSmith Toolbar in MS Word, showing main options menu

textHELP! Menu

The textHELP! Menu allows allows for the configuration of various options such as Reading Options, Speech Options, Spelling Options, General Options and Scanning Options. (See below). Highlighting each option allows for the configuration and adjustment of the various components. Most Options are capable of an extensive range of adjustment and configuration to suit individual users.

Figure 3: WordSmith Toolbar in MS Word, showing textHELP menu

Speech Options

The Speech Properties Panel allows the user to configure a range of factors affecting the speech properties of the screen reading aspect of the program. Pitch, speed, volume and the pause between words can be adjusted, along with the voice characteristics. On another panel, the user can select their preferred voice from a drop-down menu, which also includes the option of selecting voices from other screen reader programs, which is a very positive development. Another recent development is the option to purchase the WordSmith RealSpeak version of the program for an extra $200. This version makes use of the L & H RealSpeak voices, which are based on recordings of real voices and give an even more natural speech.

Other selections include the character you want to act as your screen reader, the size of the character, and whether or not the character appears. In another dialogue box the presence and design of the speech balloon can be configured.

You can also adjust the pronunciation of individual words, plus select the level and type of screen reading functions, both on an individual level and as just text, or text with extra information.

One potentially valuable tool is the "I would like to use Screen Reading" option (Menu 4 in Speech Properties Panel) which activates a screen reader to read links, menus documents, etc. If the user does not need full screen reading capability, the constant reading of everything can be somewhat annoying, so the option of switching the screen reading on or off is very desirable.

Figure 4: Speech Options Dialogue in MS Word

Spelling Options

As with other sections of WordSmith, the Spelling Options can be used in default mode, or customised according to Individual needs or preferences. New words can be added, either individually or from a list, words can be deleted and the Search, Suggestions and the Phonetic Map can be customised. An Error Log is generated, which can be viewed through this Dialogue Box, to track recurring errors for diagnostic purposes.

Figure 5: Spelling Options Dialogue Box

Prediction Options

The Prediction Options Dialogue boxes allow for display configuration changes to text and colours, the capacity to add or delete words to the recognition lists, teach the program to learn new vocabulary patterns, the style of writing and the way the program will speak out the list of predictions. Once again, this is a flexible and quite comprehensive approach, allowing for individual tastes and needs.

Figure 6: Prediction Options Dialogue in MS Word

General Options

The General Options Dialogue allows for the configuration of the method of speaking selected text, whether to use colour highlighting to track the speech, or to just use speech or to enlarge the text and display it in the text reader window.

The next option is to configure the colour highlighting, which provides a range of choices of different colour schemes. Some of the schemes appear to be a little pointless, since the chosen colours provide little contrast. However, there may be some people with particular vision characteristics who may benefit from these choices. For most people, however, it would be wise to choose a high contrast combination to provide the most effective means of tracking the reading.

The lower section of the dialogue box allows for the adjustment of the read back function on input. The user can configure the program to speak either each letter, word or sentence as it is typed.

Figure 7: General Options Dialogue in MS Word

Scanning Options

The Scanning Options Dialogue Box allows for the choice of scanners, whether the item is to be scanned directly from a scanner or from an image that has already been saved and a choice of display options for both MS Word and Internet Explorer. The choices are to do with both programs and graphics. This allows for a variety of configurations depending on the user's preferences and the characteristics of the particular document being scanned. Documents can be scanned into MS Word, retaining graphics and/or columns, or as plain text. Using the MS Word option sometimes means that graphics may be moved in the scanned document, so, if an exact replica is needed, an exact image can be scanned into Internet Explorer. It is also possible to scan into Explorer as text, to conform to a personal style sheet. Feedback from students indicates that these options cover most needs encountered by users.

It is also possible to scan from a previously scanned image, with the same result as going directly from a scanner. WordSmith can convert TIFF, BMP and XIFF files. You will get unpredictable results if you try to use GIF or JPEG files, which are primarily used for internet images, and the lower resolution may reduce the accuracy and effectiveness of the program's functions. It is important that any pre-scanning is saved in one of the three compatible file formats outlined above.

Figure 8: Scanning Options Dialogue in MS Word

Read Back Function

Once the text has been scanned into MS Word or Internet Explorer, a simple click on the arrow key begins the read back process. The section to be read is highlighted, and a moving highlight (in a different colour) follows the text as the voice reads the OCR version of the scan (see Figure 8 below).

The double arrow keys advance the reading to the next paragraph (or word or sentence), or reverse to the previous paragraph (or word or sentence), and the bar key pauses the reading.

Figure 9: Read back function in MS Word, showing highlighting of text

Integration with MS Word

All the normal functionality of MS Word is unaffected by textHELP! Documents can be treated as normal Word documents, and all the normal MS Word functionality is retained. N.B. WordSmith can ONLY be used if Microsoft Word is installed.

Internet Explorer

If BrowseAloud is enabled, a toolbar also appears in Internet Explorer to enable scanning/reading of print material, including an exact replication of the original page, plus reading of HTML files. The program can be configured to either scan an exact copy of the original text (including graphics) or as a text file which can be configured according to a prepared Style Sheet in Explorer. If the OCR text needs to be edited, there is an "Edit in MS Word" function. N.B. BrowseAloud is not switched on when first installed. To enable the program, Right Click the Explorer Tool bar, then Click "textHELP BrowseAloud" from the pull-down menu. To disable BrowseAloud, repeat the process.

Figure 10: BrowseAloud Menu Bar in Internet Explorer

EVALUATION

textHELP WordSmith 2 is a very effective tool to assist students with various disabilities involving a difficulty in accessing print material. When compared with similar programs, it is very cost effective, and incorporates most of the features of similar programs costing much more. The ability to scan a page of text, retaining any graphic material and layout features, then to read that material back to the user is a significant advantage for many people. When combined with the language and learning features and functions of textHELP Read'nWrite, it can become even more valuable in assisting to address the effects of the disability.

The program is easy to set up and use in its default configuration, and for many people, this configuration may be quite adequate. Personalising the configuration may assist in obtaining the full benefits of the software. In default mode, the program is automatically enabled in both MS Word and Internet Explorer, but the functionality in Explorer needs to switched on to be used (see Internet Explorer above). Sometimes people may wish to switch off the program, which is quite simple, but this process is not clear within the program, and cannot be performed whilst MS Word is open. A more intuitive process, even the "Off" button (suggested by Richard in Student Comments below) would be helpful.

Whilst in some circumstances it may be seen as a disadvantage for the program to require the installation of MS Word and Internet Explorer to operate, in other ways it can be a significant advantage. Other programs of this type tend to operate within their own program, requiring a separate window, and having their own file format. WordSmith's integration with Word and Explorer means that the full functionality of these programs is available while WordSmith is operating, and any files generated will be the standard Word document or HTML format, ensuring compatibility with other files and programs. Any scanning performed will be simply added to the end of the previous scan, removing the sometimes cumbersome process of having a separate page for each scan, as is the case with some other programs. The program can produce a continuous document, which can be simply read as a continuous process. If separation is required for organisational and accessibility purposes, it is simply a matter of creating a new Word document, and saving it as normal.

The operation of WordSmith is quite straightforward, once the program has been configured to the individual user preferences and needs. The document is placed in the scanner, the "Scan" button is clicked, and the program takes over. The scanning process is not instantaneous, since the image must be scanned, processed and optimised, then the Optical Character Recognition process must be performed. Lowering the quality (DPI) of the scan, and scanning in black and white can speed up the process, but accuracy may suffer if the quality is too low.

Scanning

As with most OCR programs, the level of accuracy will depend on the quality of the original print, the typeface used, the scanner quality and settings, as well as the quality of the recognition software. So it is difficult to predict how well any program will recognise individual pieces of text. However, in tests conducted with WordSmith on good quality print, the level of accuracy was very high, at least comparable with most other similar programs. I was quite pleasantly surprised at its general accuracy level. However, all OCR scanning should be proof-read, since misrecognitions sometimes occur.

One advantage with this type of program, however, is that a copy of the original page can be displayed (in Internet Explorer) as the read back occurs, allowing a visual check on accuracy, as well as the sound check.

Speech

The range of speech adjustments appears to be quite extensive, and most people should be able to establish a configuration that suits their individual needs and preferences. textHELP! has progressed significantly in the quality and "naturalness" of the voices that come with the package. The voices aren't quite up to the standard of the L & H RealSpeak voices used by Kurzweill K3000, but some of them are very good and quite comfortable to listen to. If the RealSpeak quality is required, it is available as WordSmith RealSpeak version for an extra $AUS200. The option to choose the speaking voice from a range of non-standard voices from other screen readers is a significant advance. For those people familiar with the old robotic screen-reading voices of the past, some of the new voices will be a pleasant surprise.

Language Tools (Spelling, Word Prediction, Homophones, Thesaurus, Word Wizard)

The main functions and configurations of the language tools are outlined above in the Features and Operation sections. All of these tools work very well, and depending on individual needs, can be quite invaluable.

The Word Prediction Tool has a number of features which have advantages for different people. One feature which impresses is the capacity to add words to Word Prediction dictionary through Editing existing lists of words or documents, by learning from existing files. It is also possible to make predictions on the basis of the type of writing being created, such as Imaginative; World Affairs, Commerce & Politics; Pure, Applied Natural Science; Arts & Leisure; Social Science; & Personal text. Without extensive building of personal lists, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of this process, but from initial trials it appears to work quite well.

Word Prediction is an often undervalued tool for people with Learning Disabilities. Where difficulties in spelling, distinguishing meaning, transposition of letters, etc. occur, the capacity to write material can be significantly enhanced by Word Prediction. By simply typing in a letter, a list of possible words beginning with that letter will be displayed in a dialogue box on the screen. As more letters are typed, the list is further refined to more closely match the letters typed.This has benefits in terms of word selection, spelling, reduction of key strokes, comprehension, etc. The words can be read out by the program, meanings can be checked and spelling can be checked and corrected, enhancing the person's writing significantly.

The Spelling Tool provides a variety of options, depending on needs. It goes beyond the simple wavy red line of word processor programs, to include meanings, alternative meanings, the option to speak the words, change the words, add it to the user's custom dictionary and an Autocorrect feature. It can spellcheck highlighted words and paragraphs or as the user types. It also brings up the spelling window with homonyms.

Again, the tool is quite flexible, and able to be configured for individual needs. Spelling, word discrimination, transposition of letters, word recognition and meanings can all be assisted by using the Spelling Tool. Again, the screen reading function may be used to assist those who learn more effectively by hearing rather than reading print.

This is an invaluable tool for many people with Learning Disabilities, and works very well. It provides a lot more flexibility and a wider range of options than the regular spell checkers, and, while it cannot solve all the problems a person may experience with spelling and language, it certainly provides a substantial assistance in accessing and inputting information.

The Thesaurus Tool provides a 180,000 word dictionary of words with similar meanings to assist people with selecting appropriate words for their writing. by clicking in a word, then right clicking or clicking on the Thesaurus button on the textHelp! toolbar, the Thesaurus window is displayed. The original word is displayed in a separate box, and by clicking on the Partial Word Match button, a list of words and phrases containing the original word is displayed. If one of these words or phrases suits your purposes, it is simply a matter of double-clicking the chosen word or phrase to replace the original word in the document.

It is also possible to view alternative words and meanings and the different parts of speech such as noun, verb, adjective and adverb. Again, the words or phrases can be read aloud, and a simple click on the keyboard button replaces the original word in the document.

There is also an Advanced Search Option which can search on related lists of words and phrases, with meanings, such as "Car Parts"

The Thesaurus works well as tool for finding the right word, particularly ensuring the appropriate meaning and form of a word is used. Like most of the language tools, it is an effective aid rather than a magic bullet, but, depending on a peron's language difficulties, can make the process of writing far more efficient and effective.

The Word Wizard is like a user-friendly Thesaurus which allows for advanced searches on topics, look up meanings for specific words, choose correct parts of speech, or look for words with similar or opposite meanings, with descriptions and examples of use.

This is a simple to use, straightforward tool, very similar in appearance and process to the usual Wndows Wizards, with the "Back," "Next" and "Cancel" buttons to progress through the wizard, with the capacity to read aloud at all stages. Once a person is familiar with the process and the functions of this tool, it should be very easy and effective to use.

The Homonyms Tools are used to find and read out like-sounding words. There are three buttons on the WordSmith Toolbar: Show Homonyms,Find Homonyms and Hide Homonyms. The user can select a word, sentence or paragraph and search for like-sounding words and check their meanings from the drop down box. There are buttons for speaking the selected word, replacing the original word with the selected homonym, and ignoring the word in future. Again, this is an effective tool for dealing with words that sound the same, but have different meanings. It is simple and effective in its use, and, like all the language tools, can be a valuable assistant in improving language skills, writing and comprehension.

Conclusion

textHELP WordSmith 2.0 is a worthwhile addition to the range of products available for people with Learning Disabilities. While not cheap, it is very cost-effective when compared to similar products. It loses little in terms of functions and usability, and even has some advantages, such as the background operation with standard programs and standard formats.

Due to compatibility problems, it has not been possible to yet test similar programs on the same equipment, but initial impressions are that WordSmith may be a little slower in scanning and processing material than programs such as Kurzweill K3000. The potential user would need to decide whether speed of processing is a significant factor in purchase considerations, or whether the lower price and other advantages of WordSmith would outweigh this factor. If, for example, someone was being paid an hourly rate to scan large amounts of material for a student, this could be a significant consideration. However, for many users, the difference in speed would not be substantial enough to discourage them using WordSmith. (See Comparison Test below)

Its flexibility and complexity can be a significant advantage in enabling a user to customise the program to their own needs and preferences, but can be a little off-putting for a new user who is not particularly confident in using a computer. However, the program can be quite effective for most users in its default configuration, and this should not discourage users who could benefit from its extensive capabilities.

Highly Recommended

Comparison Test (WordSmith2, Kurzweill K3000, Arkenstone Open Book 5.0)

Test Equipment:
Dell Latitude 810 1.13 GHz P111 Processor, 512 Mb RAM
Canon N650U USB Scanner.

Test Material:
1 x A4 Page (text only, including website URLs) Times New Roman 12 Point font:

Scanner Configuration:
B&W 300 DPI

Program Performance:

Program:	Time:	Comments:
textHelp! WordSmith 2.0	33 secs	Very high (99%+) level of recognition, including Website URLs.
Kurzweill K3000	24.5 secs	Very high (99%+) level of recognition, including Website URLs.
Arkenstone Open Book 5.0	24.7 secs	High, (approx. 96%) for text, but very poor for Website URLs

This brief comparison test confirms the impression that while WordSmith is very accurate, it is a little slower than similar programs. The 8.5 seconds per page advantage of K3000 and Open Book would not be a significant factor with many users, but could be become much more important with large scale use, such as when a person is employed to perform scanning of large amounts of material.

Scanning/Recognition times are longer when different configurations are used, such as Colour or higher resolutions. The amount of graphics on a page can also slow down the scanning process. Lower scanner resolutions may improve scanning speed, but accuracy may suffer.

N.B. Scanning speeds will vary, depending on the type of scanner and computer used. These figures are a comparative guide only.

ADVANTAGES

• Cost
• Flexibility
• Integration with mainstream software
• Accuracy
• Inclusion of graphics in scanned images
• Variety of tools and configurations
• Ability to easily produce continuous documents
• Format compatibility

DISADVANTAGES

• Only able to be used if MS Word 97+ is installed
• Can be a little slower than similar programs
• Involved process to switch off the functions in MS Word & Explorer whilst in use.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Very little for a competent computer user who is familiar with MS Word and Explorer, and uses the default configuration. Some users who require more extensive personalisation of the program may need some training to navigate the extensive range of configuration options available.

People with limited computer literacy may need training and assistance to develop sufficient knowledge and skills to use WordSmith and its associated programs effectively.

INTEGRATION

Integrates very effectively with Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer, Once enabled, it can integrate with most other programs. It cannot be used unless MS Word 97, 2000 or XP is installed. Recommended Internet Explorer 5.5 +

SOURCE AND COST

Evaluation copy supplied by Spectronics, (Sole Australian Distributor) Phone: (07) 3808 6833 Fax: (07) 3808 6108; email: mail@spectronicsinoz.com; Web: http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/
Price (at time of review): $AUS799.00 plus GST (Single station Multi-Profile - incorporates textHelp! Read and Write V 5.0); $AUS999.00 plus GST (WordSmith RealSpeak Version)

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum:
Pentium 200 Processor
Sound Card and Speakers
CD ROM drive
64 MB RAM
80 MB Free Disk Space
Windows - 95, 98, NT4 or 2000 installed
Word 97/Word 2000/Word XP installed either individually or as part of Office 97, Office 2000 or Office XP. (You MUST have Word 97 or 2000 installed to use the program and Internet Explorer to use BrowseAloud and exact image functions.)
Recommended Scanners: Epson 1240U, Canoscan 630U, Epson 1200, Epson 610, H.P. 6200, H.P. 6300 (Also works with Canoscan 65OU, Epson Perfection 1650)

STUDENT COMMENTS

Richard:

"I am a person doing a Visual Arts Degree in Fine Woodwork, and as such I am a visual person that to a large extent finds reading and writing a tenuous process.

I am a classic left hand male, and I have what I am dyslexic. As a result I have a great deal of trouble in processing data that is either written or is being written. I am the classic person who went through school (well sort of went through school!) being labelled as 'uninterested in being educated.'

In recent times I have been in contact with both the Academic Skills & Learning Centre and the DSU. In discussions with DSU staff, we concluded that I should try a program called WordSmith, as our discussions indicated it could assist me with the effects of my disability.

The program WordSmith Version 2 has the ability to turn written text into audible text. Whilst WordSmith has some drawbacks which reflect the cost and the technological time we live in, it has been a godsend to me. For the first time I have been able to hear my writings without having to ask someone to read it for me. I find that if I read my writing, I tend to overlook what I have not put in, and as I read I put in words, concepts, etc. that are just not there. I have found that, while WordSmith doesn't offer all the answers to my writing difficulties, it does mean that my writing is far more intelligible.

Whilst WordSmith offers a great improvement in my overall writing, I did find myself wishing there was an on/off button (or an options over-ride button) on the toolbar. I found having to hit the Stop Reading button on the tool bar every time I placed a full stop was somewhat of a nuisance.

The second thing was the accent of the machine. At times it reminded me of my school days when we had a Manual Arts teacher, Les, who came from an Eastern European country. At times, like WordSmith, he was not the easiest to understand. Although I have found that if I am using headphones, WordSmith is much easier to discern.

WordSmith is a great asset when coupled to MS Word. I would have liked to have it work under MS Works in same manner as it does with Word. It meant I had to purchase a copy of MS Office to use the package.

In conclusion, I found that WordSmith is a program that offers a great deal to users like myself, and I am looking forward to future developments."

AT Project WordSmith