ReadSpeaker

[haleejr]

How do I add ReadSpeaker in canvas

[kmeeusen · Accepted solution]

Hi  @haleejr  Welcome to the Canvas Community!

ReadSpeaker is a paid product, and if you have a license you will be given access to the integration information.  If your school has a site-license, then you can contact your Canvas Admin for information on how to use it in your courses. If you are your school's Canvas Admin, then the link I provided will help you get started.

If you lack budget monies to procure ReadSpeaker, you might want to check out the Immersive Reader from Microsoft, currently available free as a beta integration.  Learn more at Microsoft Immersive Reader Installation.

I love the Immersive Reader and hope it becomes a standard option.

Kelley

[NathalieMorse]

This webpage by Rutgers.edu says "Text-to-speech technology by ReadSpeaker has been made available to all Canvas Users. It does not require software downloaded to your computer, and can be accessed on any internet-connected device."  https://canvas.rutgers.edu/external-apps/readspeaker/

It appears the page was last updated Aug 2022, however I cannot be sure based on how it's set up.

If it has been made available to all Canvas Users, how do we access it? 

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @NathalieMorse ...

Rutgers might have ReadSpeaker integrated into their Canvas environment as a third-party add-on.  However, I am not sure if the same is true for you at North Carolina Cyber Academy.  You might be able to access the Microsoft Immersive Reader, however:

• How do I use the Microsoft Immersive Reader in a course as an instructor?
• How do I use the Microsoft Immersive Reader in a course as a student?

You'd have to speak with your Canvas admins at NC Cyber Academy to see if ReadSpeaker is available in your Canvas environment.  There may be a cost associated with this product...since it's a third-party add-on.

[NathalieMorse]

Immersive Reader does not work for quizzes and tests from what I've read so far. It only works on pages, assignments, home pages and the syllabus. Therefore students with read aloud accommodations cannot use it to take quizzes or tests. 

[pstisser]

ReadSpeaker does read quizzes and can provide the read-aloud testing accommodation.  Also is very compatible with proctoring tools like Respondus Lock Down Browser.  Finally, the ability to listen to documents/files at a click of a button is a new feature.  

If your program is using ReadSpeaker, you will see the ReadSpeaker icon on the Nav Bar or a little speaker next to a File.  Click and listen.  That easy!  

[slwilso3]

I know it's been a minute since this was posted but I'm wondering if there is any recent information. We are finding that ReadSpeaker does not read aloud for quizzes. It does not work with New Quizzes and has problems with the Classic ones.

@pstisser Which integrations are you using? There are three options apparently. Does it still work with the recent updates to quizzes in the past couple years?

[ASaurette]

We're also having this issue, did you ever find any new information?

[LtHerriges]

What is the setup to insure that ReadSpeaker is installed and setup properly? I see under within Settings that ReadSpeaker is appearing in my "Apps" and indicates that it is installed but we cannot access it within the course? Are there step-by-step install/setup directions to ensure this is available for our students within a course?

[Chris_Hofer]

@LtHerriges ...

Good morning!  When you go to your course "Settings" >> "Apps" tab >> "View App Configurations" screen, does the ReadSpeaker row have an "i" (information) icon next to it, or does it have the gear/cog wheel icon next to it?  If it has the "i" icon, then it means that LTI external tool for ReadSpeaker was installed at the Canvas account level rather than at the Canvas course level.  If you have the "i" icon, you can click on it to see where ReadSpeaker is available to be added within your course.  Similarly, if you have the gear/cog wheel icon, you can click on that and then select the "Placements" option from the menu that is presented to see the same info.  Ultimately, you may need to get in contact with your school's Canvas administrator or someone from your school's Online Learning / eLearning / Distance Learning department who can provide additional help with adding this to your course.  Hope this helps!