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TestTalker™ Frequently
Asked Questions
TestTalker Overview
- What is
TestTalker?
TestTalker is a software
solution to help individuals be more successful with test taking, worksheet
completion, and with study materials. It can also help people complete forms
electronically.
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- How does
TestTalker work?
TestTalker provides a computer version of a test, worksheet, or other form
that can talk. The material looks exactly like the paper rendition of the
material, but provides a bimodal approach to the materials: words are spoken
by a speech synthesizer while they are simultaneously highlighted. There are
two versions of TestTalker: Teacher Edition and Student Edition. Using Teacher
Edition, a teacher scans in the material and configures the electronic answer
blanks. The student takes the test electronically using the Student Edition.
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Educational and
Productivity Features
- Does TestTalker
modify the test?
No. Modifications change the test. TestTalker does not change the
written test. TestTalker is an accommodation that provides a bimodal
presentation of the unmodified written information. It does add electronic
representations of the answer blanks so the students can electronically
complete the test. But as it does not alter the test, it is an accommodation,
not a modification.
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- If I can't use
TestTalker on standardized tests, how would I use it?
TestTalker is valuable in helping students become better prepared for
test-taking. TestTalker enables students to become familiar with specific
testing formats. It provides a bimodal approach, which enhances learning for
many students and helps empower students to feel successful. TestTalker also
better prepares students for taking tests on the computer. Considering the
increasing popularity of this method of test delivery, it serves as a tool for
individuals to practice completing tests by computer.
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- Can TestTalker
be used to complete other types of forms, such as driver's license tests and
application forms?
Yes. TestTalker uses advanced, reliable, form-filling features, so it
can easily be used to complete forms.
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- How does
TestTalker compare to scan-and-read programs that currently claim test
completion capabilities?
TestTalker has three important differences from other scan-and-read
programs: (1) Other scan-and-read programs do not support Multiple Choice and
True/False questions. TestTalker is the only scanning and reading program that
supports this type of question. (2) Most other scan-and-read programs do not
allow the teacher to resize fill-in blanks or add his/her own answer blanks.
TestTalker allows the teacher to add, delete, move, and resize all answer
types, including fill-in blanks. (3) Some programs use fill-in blanks that do
not have size limits. This permits the student to actually type over existing
text on the test! TestTalker's answer blanks have teacher-selectable size
limits, thus ensuring that students will not overwrite other areas of the
test.
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- With other
programs, the teacher does not need to do anything to set up the answer blanks
on the test. It's just available at any time, automatically. Does TestTalker
do this?
Yes. TestTalker automatically detects underlines on a page and
inserts fill-in answer blanks. This will save teachers precious time. Of
course, with TestTalker, the teacher can also add other answer blanks whenever
needed.
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Document and File Support
- What type of
questions does TestTalker support?
TestTalker supports many types of questions: True/False, Multiple Choice,
Fill-in, and Extended Answer. To support True/False tests and Multiple Choice
tests, TestTalker provides answer bubbles for the student to select with the
mouse, similar to answer bubbles students select on print tests using a
pencil. To support Fill-in and Extended Answer tests, TestTalker provides
single-line and multi-line answer blanks for the student to type their answers
into.
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- Does TestTalker
support PDF files?
Yes. TestTalker includes a PDF (Adobe® Portable Document Format) converter.
You simply open the PDF file in TestTalker, and it becomes available just as
though you had scanned it in.
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- Does TestTalker
support files a teacher has created in Microsoft Word?
Yes. A teacher can open a Microsoft Word file in TestTalker. TestTalker will
automatically recognize and insert fill-in blanks. The teacher can add other
answer blanks, just as though the document had been printed and scanned in.
This relieves the teacher of the chore of scanning many documents.
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- Can TestTalker
be used with Standardized or ScanTron tests?
There is no reason TestTalker could not be used on text-based,
standardized tests. That being said, each state and district has specific
rules and regulations in regards to their standardized testing. Many students
who have I.E.P.s are entitled to specific accommodations. TestTalker could
support these accommodations. However, you will need to check the regulations
in your area. Currently TestTalker does not support ScanTron tests.
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- Can I change
the reading order in a document after I've scanned it?
Yes, you can change the reading order on any TestTalker file using
our new Dynamic Zoning feature. This allows you to define your own zones
(reading areas) on the page, in the unusual case where TestTalker doesn't
recognize the reading order correctly the first time. Using Dynamic Zoning,
you can define any area you want TestTalker to read, in the order you want it
spoken. You can also have TestTalker ignore text and graphics that you don't
want it to try to read.
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Technical and General
Questions
- Why didn't you
add these capabilities to WYNN, your other product? Why have a separate
product?
WYNN and TestTalker have different purposes. WYNN is a software tool
to help people read, write, and study more effectively. WYNN is a powerful
program with many features to help struggling readers and writers, such as
word prediction, dictionary, and spell checking.
TestTalker is a software tool to help people prepare for and take tests and
worksheets, and fill out forms. Many of WYNN's features are not necessary for
TestTalker users. By creating a separate product, we are able to keep the
price lower.
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- I like these
new features. Will we be seeing them in WYNN soon?
Some of TestTalker's features will be added to the next version of
WYNN. However, just because a feature appears in one product, that doesn't
necessarily mean we will add it to the other. We will only add a feature if
its implementation is consistent with the needs of the users of that product.
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- What are the
technical requirements?
To run TestTalker, your computer must meet the following minimum
requirements:
- An IBM-compatible
Pentium or higher computer running at least 450 MHz
- Windows 95/98/Me,
Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP
- 92 MB of RAM
- A CD-ROM drive
- A compatible sound
card with speaker
- (for Teacher Edition)
A supported TWAIN-compatible scanner
- A video card and
monitor capable of VGA video in 800x600, high-color 16-bit color mode or
greater
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- How much does
TestTalker cost?
TestTalker: Teacher Edition retails for $399.00.
TestTalker: Student Edition comes in a 5-pack, which costs $249.00.
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