Assistive Software to Support Your Studies: Introduction
Introduction
Assistive software can be helpful to everyone. It can help your computer read text aloud to you, change display settings, or organise information visually. It’s often designed for users who need to customise their devices to make them easier to use, or who would like to choose how information is displayed. This means it’s particularly useful if you have additional support needs like visual impairment, dyslexia, or difficulty with organising information.
Whether or not you think you need to use assistive software, we think that everyone works better when their work set-up and devices are tailored to their preferences and needs. So why not give them a try? In this post, we will introduce some free assistive software: NaturalReader, a text-to-speech converter, and Freeplane and Coggle, which are both mind mapping software. In a further supplementary post, ‘ Assistive Technology to Support Your Studies: How to Install and Use the Software’ we shall look at how to install and use them.
NaturalReader Text-to-speech software
What does it do?
NaturalReader is a free text-to-speech software that allows you to convert any text-based document (such as Word (.docx), Google Docs, or a PDF) into speech that you can listen to.
How can it support my studies?
Text-to-speech software allows you to choose multi-sensory learning experiences; you might find it easier to focus if you can listen to and read a text at the same time, or if you can combine stimuli by listening as you walk, occupy your hands, or carry out other tasks. Text-to-speech software can help you to focus on long reading tasks by providing information through speech, which may better fit your learning style. Some people also find it hard to read small text, so listening to a text rather than reading can reduce mental or visual strain.
You can also use text-to-speech software to help when proof-reading your work, as it’s often easier to pick out mistakes when listening to a text, rather than reading it.
Where can I get it?
The free version of NaturalReader is available as an online application, as an offline application, and as a Chrome extension. The free version allows you to convert unlimited documents using the free voices provided. The paid version of NaturalReader gives you access to many other voices in different languages and regional accents, and also allows you to convert documents to MP3 files.
On a computer (Windows or Mac):
NaturalReader is available as an online web-based application, or as downloadable software for offline use.
Alternatively, If you’re using Chrome as your browser, you can install the NaturalReader Chrome Extension from the Chrome Web Store, which allows you to read from webpages.
There are full instructions on how to install this software in our Medium post ‘Assistive Technology to Support Your Studies- Part 2: How to Install and Use the Software’. Naturalreader’s official online tutorials also provide further information on the web app.
On a mobile device or tablet (iOS or Android):
NaturalReader is available as an online, web-based application or as an iOS app.
Naturalreader’s official online tutorials also provide further information on the web app.
On a Chromebook:
The NaturalReader Chrome Extension from the Chrome Web Store allows you to read from webpages or GoogleDocs. Once the chrome extension is added, you can read files both online and offline.
There are instructions on how to set up the chrome extension in our Medium post ‘Assistive Technology to Support Your Studies: How to Install and Use the Software’.
Mind mapping software: Freeplane and Coggle
What does it do?
Both Freeplane and Coggle are free mind-mapping applications which allow you to visually organise tasks and express ideas without a pre-determined structure, allowing you to plan in a way that is in line with your brain’s natural way of thinking.
How can it support my studies?
Mind mapping software can be a great way to start organising your thoughts, particularly when you don’t know where to start with a large project such as a presentation or essay.
Mind mapping can help to reduce some of the stress of feeling like you have to ‘get things right’ as you write. Rather than working linearly through a structure, you can input content as ideas come to you, and mind mapping allows you to easily reorganise the content at a later stage. Because mind maps help you to break down complex information into manageable chunks, they can make a task feel more manageable and easier to comprehend.
Mind mapping is also useful for visual learners, as you can organise information into colourful and memorable diagrams. It can also be used to aid memory recall for revision, as the easy usage of images and colours can help to reinforce information and stimulate recall.
Where can I get it?
On a computer (Windows or Mac):
You can access both Freeplane and Coggle as online web apps. Freeplane can be downloaded to a computer from the Freeplane website. Unlike Coggle, Freeplane allows you more freedom when creating mind maps because you can also download it to a portable USB stick. Operating Freeplane from a USB stick allows you to use Freeplane on any computer without having to install the software on each new device.
Our Medium post, ‘Assistive Technology to Support Your Studies: How to Install and Use the Software’ contains further instructions on installing Freeplane, and how to access tutorial maps to get you started. Alternatively, you can watch this short Youtube video that provides tips and guidance.
On a mobile device or tablet (iOs or Android):
Coggle’s web application can be accessed from a mobile phone. It is similar to Freeplane but offers fewer functions.
On a Chromebook:
You can access Coggle’s web application, or you can also add the Coggle Chrome Extension to your Chromebook. Coggle integrates seamlessly with Google drive, making it ideal for collaborative mind mapping!
Further support
Hopefully you found this post useful! Here are are some additional links and resources you might find helpful.
Getting started with the software
- Our follow-up post: ‘Assistive Technology to Support Your Studies: How to Install and Use the Software’
Additional links related to NaturalReader
- Chrome Extension
- Web Application
- Windows and MacOS application
- iOS application
- Tutorials and Documentation for extension and web app
