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ReadSpeaker

Overview

ReadSpeaker is a text to speech tool for HTML pages within the Content, Assignments, and Quizzes areas of D2L Brightspace.  As the instructor, you do not have to activate anything–the tool is simply there for use.

About ReadSpeaker

ReadSpeaker is located at the top of the text box within the content area of any HTML page created within the Content section of D2L Brightspace. 

ReadSpeaker's "Listen" button below the title of a Content topic page

Once you click on the play button the tool will expand to show all of its functionality:

  1. Play Controls
  2. Sound Control
  3. ReadSpeaker Settings 
  4. Download audio (audio from HTML pages can be downloaded as MP3 files)

 The expanded ReadSpeaker menu with play controls, volume controls, settings, and download options
 

Settings Option

Change some of the basic settings to suit your needs.

Highlighting

  • Text highlighting: Turn on (default); Turn off
  • Highlighting options: Word and sentence (default); Sentence only; Word only; No highlighting
  • Word color (highlight will follow voice)
  • Sentence color (sentence will be highlighted, indicating where the voice will read next)

Reading

  • Speed: Slow; Medium (default); Fast

General

  • Automatic scrolling: On; Off (default)
  • Pop-up button: On (default); Off

The highlighting options in ReadSpeaker

Dictionary and Translate

Dictionary and Translate are two additional features in Readspeaker.

Select a section of text from an HTML page in Content, a popup menu will appear.

ReadSpeaker pop-up menu, with a red box around the Listen, Dictionary, and Translate options

Selecting either Dictionary or Translate will open another pane with the definition or the translation. Note: These features do not work in Quizzes along with the Download feature.