{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Arial;}} {\colortbl ;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.15.1507;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\b\f0\fs32 Talking and Listening\b0\fs24\par \par \fs28 About the software\fs24\par This software is freely available for home and school use. It is designed to encourage reluctant speakers to interact with the computer, and help develop language skills.\par \par \fs28 Using the software\fs24\par Each activity is very simple to use. The most basic activity, \cf1 Shout\cf0 , simply shows a randomly selected image that changes size as you make more noise into the microphone.\par \par \cf1 Say \cf0 lets you record a word or sentence using the big red record button, then use the green button to play it back.\par \par \cf1 Talk \cf0 gives you two walkie-talkies, each with a record and play button, so question and answer responses can be recorded. The circular arrow button switches to mobile phones, for variety and to maybe give a better degree of familiarity.\par \par \cf1 Speak \cf0 is very similar to \cf1 Say\cf0 , but an animated carton character will speak you word or sentence back to you. The arrows let you move between the characters.\par \par \cf1 Music \cf0 lets you record a word or sound, then play it back at different pitches to make tunes and music.\par \par In \cf1 Change\cf0 , you can play back your words either normally, faster, slower, backwards, or in a 'robot' type voice.\par \par \cf1 Emotions \cf0 allows you to record a word relating to any of a selection of different emotions. This activity has pre-recorded samples which you can record over. Try recording your words with the 'feeling' the word describes. Clicking a face selects and plays the word, while the record button records over it.\par \par \cf1 Words \cf0 lets you select different words to make up a sentence, and play it in one go. You can also record the words in your own voice and pley them back as sentences. Click a face to hear it's word, click a word in the list to change it, and click record to record a new word. The play button will then play your whole sentence. You can record your own words by clicking on them to type or edit them, then use the record and play buttons as usual.\par \par \fs28 Keyboard and switch use\fs24\par The simpler activities can be controlled using just the space bar to move the mouse cursor over the buttons, and the return key to select - if you would like to use switches with the program, simply set them up to emulate space and return.\par \par \fs28 Troubleshooting\fs24\par Some activities need you to record a sound before you can play anything back.\par \par The programs all require that your microphone is plugged in, working, switched on, and has the volume set about right. This is done through the \cf1 Sound and Audio \cf0 pages of the \cf1 Control Panel\cf0 , usually available from the \cf1 Settings \cf0 tab of your \cf1 Start Menu\cf0 . You may need you explore the \cf1 Advanced \cf0 settings of this area to find the correct volume slider for your particular microphone and computer combination. Try using the \cf1 Help \cf0 function built into Windows if you get stuck.\par \par Once the microphone is working, the sound-level indicator in each activity should show the noise levels change as you make sounds - usually you should aim for it to be in the bottom half of the green area when it's quiet near the computer.\par \par If you need more help or instructions, contact details are given below, or check the web site, which may have more up-to-date instructions or improved versions of the software.\par \par \fs28 Credits\fs24\par Designed By: Bob Black\par Programming: Kevin Wittamore\par Artwork: John Godfrey\par Special thanks to Carol Allen, Sandy Alton, Immogen Wedgewood and Trish Davidson\par \par Down's Syndrome Association\par 2a Langdon Park\par Kingston Rd\par Teddington\par TW11 9PS\par \par \cf2 info@downs-syndrome.org.uk\par www.downs-syndrome.org.uk \cf0\par }