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How to Enable Text to Speech in Microsoft Word

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This technology tip is a great way to use technology in the classroom. If you already have Microsoft Word running on your machine, this can be achieved by clicking on a few buttons. This should also work for Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote. 

Tool Needed

1- Microsoft Word

2- Some text added to word to test the narrator

3- Speakers turned on

Step 1

Text to Speeach

You will need to add the speech icon to the Quick Access Toolbar. Go to :

File →Options→Quick Access Toolbar → Choose Command From: all commands→Scoll to “Speak”→ Select and Add Speak to the Quick Access Toolbar→ Click “Ok.”

 

Step 2

Text to speech

a- Select the text that you would like to have narrated.

b- Click on the Speak icon on the Quick Access Toolbar

You will now see the Speak icon appear on your Quick Access Toolbar.

Optionally

You can access the Quick Access Toolbar menu using a shortcut method.

Step 1

Right click on the Quick Access Toolbar → select “Customize Toolbar”→ “Select All”

This is a great tip to use in your classroom. Have your students type their papers, and when it is time to edit their papers, they can listen to their own writings.

Step 2

a–From the drop down menu choose “Commands From”, select “All commands”

b–Search for “Speak”

c–Add speak to the Quick Access Bar and select “Ok.”

Credit: Howard Lake

Long URL Review

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Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) posted online are usually posted in two ways: in their raw format or in a shortened format. The raw format usually looks something like https://www.twitter.com. The shortened, or obfuscated, format can be shortened based on the service that is being utilized to shorten the URLs. Twitter uses their own service called t.co to shorten their URLs. Facebook uses fb.me to shorten their URLs. You get the point.

Hidden URL

 

With the shortened format, users may be in the dark about where URLs are actually pointed. This can lead to users being directed to sites where software may end up being installed on their computers or other electronic devices. This is where Long URL comes in very handy. Long URL does not actually make URLs longer. Instead, the software lets you preview the raw format of URLs. This allows you to retain a certain level of security. You now know exactly where the link is pointing. If you are not sure about a particular link, do not click on it. You may end up regretting making such a decision. This is especially true of links shared on bookmarking sites or through your harmless email service.

 

LongURL

LongURL

5

LongURL is an email expanding service that allows users to view the destination of shared links. Links shared via social media sites are usually in shortened or obfuscated (hidden) formats. Since the advent of socail media sites, with Twitter being the prime example. Urls have been thinking about ways to create send messages using less characters. Shortened email services were developed to solve that problem. However, in the process a second opportunity was granted to scammers to hide where their links are actually going. Long URL helps to solve that problem by allowing users to preview shortened URLs

Pros

  • Long Url makes it very easy. You just copy the shortened email, visit their website and paste the shortened email. Thier service when them provide you the actual raw link in a snap.
  • Identify potentially malicious sites before visiting them using services such as Long URL.
  • LongURL has an API. Therefore, other developers can use Long URL's service to provide transparency to readers.
  • There are browser extensions that utilizes LongURL. Therefore, you will be able to see the real URL of a site without a need to access LongURL directly.
  • A long list of url shortening sites are supported (go here to see the over 300 services supported).

Cons

  • I cannot think of a single negative to such a great application.

Overall:

LongURL is a "simply great" service. Does what it it designed to do, and it works like a charm. It is always a good practice to not visit URLs that are unfamiliar to you.

From the Publisher

TinyURL and other like services solved a problem brought on by the advent of micro-blogging—limited message length. They do this by taking (sometimes incredibly long) URLs and creating a small compact one that redirects to the original.

Solving one problem, though, created another one: obfuscation. There's no way to tell (for sure) where a shortened link goes by just looking at it. So, then, I could send you this link http://is.gd/2kz and tell you to check out the photos from my recent trip, when in fact I'm sending you to a video of Rick Astley singing "Never Gonna Give You Up". This is bad for users.

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MicroSoft Office 2013 Review

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Office, built around you:
Just sign in to Office, and documents, preferences, and other settings follow you across your PC, tablet, phone, or the web. So anytime, anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off. (Microsoft, 2014)

 

 

Microsoft Office

Microsoft

3

Microsoft Office 2013 is a slimmed-down version of the Office Suite of software that we are accustomed to seeing. However, there are a few features that the modern user may find appealing, such as the ability to easily take screenshots and insert video files into Office documents. Also, with added integration of Microsoft ObeDrive, you can easily share files, thus improving collaboration and portability.

Microsoft Office 2013 is the new and improved version of Microsoft Office. Office 2013 works, or synchronizes, with Microsoft’s One Drive. One Drive is basically Microsoft’s attempt to stave off competition from Google and their continued approach towards more cloud-based offerings. Therefore, think about OneDrive as Microsoft's answer to Google Drive.

Key Features

Cloud-Based Approach

By signing in to OneDrive using your Microsoft account credentials, instantly you will have access to your files in the cloud. Therefore, you can access your files across multiple devices and platforms. Microsoft Office comes packaged with Microsoft Office, Publisher, and OneNote. According to Microsoft, with OneDrive: get to your Office documents anywhere, share with anyone who has OneDrive, and access Microsoft's suite of products that includes Excel Online, OneNote 2013 Online, Word Online, and PowerPoint Online.

Pros

1- Applications

You can now create word clouds directly from highlighted texts in Microsoft Word. This is HUGE; who does not like word clouds? They are immensely popular right now. You can add the applications that you need by simply clicking insert and selecting the apps that you would like to use. Currently, there is not a large selection of applications. However, there are free, and a few premium, applications. Microsoft still is a long way away from where established players in the app business are, such as Google.

2- New Insert Options

There are now more dynamic media options such as screenshots and video files.  Screenshots can be inserted directly into Office programs from browser windows that are currently open. You can now insert videos and pictures from Bing and Google's YouTube video services, as well as other sites, via their videos' embed codes. You may have heard in the news that clipart is dead. There is still access to clipart, but it is no longer front and center. Images can also be inserted from Facebook and Flickr. You can even insert other documents into Word and other Office files.

3- Application Uniformity

One cannot help but realize how similar all of the applications are. This makes it a lot easier for users to master the Microsoft Office Suite of applications. In addition, you will realize that the online version is just a slimmed down version of the desktop application with some of the awesomeness reserved for the desktop versions. It makes sense for Microsoft to do that. They have to create an incentive for users to buy the desktop version.

Cons

1- Limited Incentives to Upgrade

The upgrades are great, however, for the added cost of upgrade, I am not sure whether or not it is worth the price. If you already have Office installed on your computer, I would not suggest that you make the investment.

2-Authentication Limitations

I think that it is a big mistake that Microsoft does not allow users to sign into OneDrive using email and social media accounts that they already own. Instead, you have to sign up for a Microsoft email based address to gain access to OneDrive.

3-Limited License

You may have noticed that most software publishers are moving towards a monthly price model. Microsoft is not fully there as yet, but they are slowly weaning us in that direction. However, with the current license structure you are limited to one license per device. This has caused Microsoft to receive a lot of flack from users. As a result, Microsoft had to issue an update to terms and service of Office 2013.

Thank you for your feedback and sorry for the inconvenience. Effective immediately, we have changed the licensing terms to allow you to transfer the software from one computer to another. We made this decision based on your feedback and the feedback of other customers who asked for additional flexibility in this area. For more information, please visit

4-Competition

Let's face it: Microsoft has a lot of competition. Therefore, they need to create more compelling reasons for users to want to upgrade. More and more people are being exposed to free alternatives to Microsoft Office, such as OpenOffice, Libre Office, Google, and the list goes on and on.

Overall

Microsoft Office 2013 is amazing! There is nothing out there right now that improves the efficiency that is available here in a single interface. However, if you have a previous version of Office, you may be in for a little disappointment.

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SlideDog Review

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With SlideDog, presentations do not have to be complicated.
(SlideDog, 2014)

SlideDog

Preseria

4

SlideDog is an interactive presentation software player that allows you the ability to seamlessly combine all your presentation files into a single software interface. Basically, it's a simple way to bring all of your presentation files together nicely.

Do you frequently deliver presentations that involve video from YouTube, Prezi Presentations, and texts from PDF files? Do you find yourself switching between them, causing your presentations to seem choppy and potentially discombobulated? Well, SlideDog is for you. SlideDog allows for the seamless combination of files into a single presentation-player interface that is very easy to use. This makes SlideDog a great way to optimize the use of technology in the classroom and will make your corporate presentations more engaging and smooth.

Pros

1- Easy to Use

SlideDog has a very simple and fluid interface that makes it very easy for the average user to get up and running in no-time.

2- Keep Your Audience Engaged

No matter whom your audience is, students, clients or even family, the main objective of your presentation is to get your message across. Therefore, SlideDog takes the fiddles out of your presentations and makes it sleekly smooth.

3- SlideDog is Interactive

There is no better way to keep your audience engaged than to get them actually involved in the presentations. Do not just put on a show, get your audience in the moment. You can add elements such as polls, feedback and chat interactives directly into your presentations via a sharable link from a simple interface, providing useful user analytics.

4- Web Remote

You can control your presentation slides with your mobile phone. Therefore, you do not have to buy additional presentation software; you can just use the web-remote (cellphone) to move between slides flawlessly.

5- Access to Pro Features

With presentations lasting 15 minutes or less, you will have access to pro features.

6- Wide Range of Supported Files

You can import a wide array of files and interactive items into SlideDog such as PDF files, PowerPoint, Prezi, video and YouTube videos.

7- Skip Ahead

If you are running out of time and want to get to a specific slide within your presentation, you can quickly and easily  slide to that file to make sure that you present it to your audience.

 

Cons

1- Privacy

By default, SlideDog is set to share your usage information of the software. I do not think that this is a major issue, however, I think that behavior should not be the default setting. Instead, maybe they should have a prompt that asks the user to opt in to sharing usage data.

2- Branding

The free tier of SlideDog will carry their branding. Therefore, if you want to customize the brand labeling you will have to upgrade to the professional version that will set you back:

Monthly:

$ 14.99 per month.

Annually:

$ 99 per year (45% discount).

3- Limited Platform

SlideDog is only good for Windows-based operating systems.

4- Internet Access May Be Need

Some of the interactive features of SlideDog require internet access. How about WiFi compatibility? Having this features will allow SlideDog to go up against some big players in the interactive presentation business.

From the Publisher:

SlideDog is a multimedia presentation tool that allows you to create presentation playlists by combining different file and media types. You can seamlessly blend multiple PowerPoint decks, PDF documents, websites, Prezis, images and movies together in a single presentation without having to stop the flow of your speech to bring up your next item on the screen. The result is smoother presentation that breaks free of the limits of utilizing a single platform for delivering your presentation.

The basic version is free, and an upgraded Pro version will cost you $99 for the year which includes additional functionality like dual-screen support and an option to add your custom background.

SlideDog is tailored for use on dual displays and features a separate presenter screen with your playlist, timer and notes while the audience only sees your slides.

SlideDog is targeted at educators, sales persons, AV technicians, professional presenters and users who hold presentations as part of their daily work or education.

SlideDog is a multimedia presentation tool that allows you to create presentation playlists by combining different file and media types. You can seamlessly blend multiple PowerPoint decks, PDF documents, websites, Prezis, images and movies together in a single presentation without having to stop the flow of your speech to bring up your next item on the screen. The result is smoother presentation that breaks free of the limits of utilizing a single platform for delivering your presentation.

The basic version is free, and an upgraded Pro version will cost you $99 for the year which includes additional functionality like dual-screen support and an option to add your custom background.

SlideDog is tailored for use on dual displays and features a separate presenter screen with your playlist, timer and notes while the audience only sees your slides.

SlideDog is targeted at educators, sales persons, AV technicians, professional presenters and users who hold presentations as part of their daily work or education.

- See more at: http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/slidedog#sthash.ShnKuFNt.dpuf

Overall

I think that SlideDog does what it promises: Povides a simple, but powerful presentation player that adds interactive features to your aggregated presentation files. This will make your presentations flow seamlessly without the need to switch between files on your computer. Give SlideDog a spin and let us know what you think.

 

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Google Slide Presentations

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Get to your presentations anywhere, anytime

Access, create, and edit your presentations from the palm of your hand.

Google

Google

4

Google Presentation is a browser-based application, courtesy of Google, that allows anyone the ability to easily create presentations on the fly. This is not a Microsoft PowerPoint killer, however, the essentials are there for you to get your message across to your audience.

Details

Google Presentation is a member of the Google family of online tools that hopes to mimic some of the functionality of Microsoft Applications such as word and spreadsheet. It allows any user with access to the web and a Google account the ability to create engaging presentations on the fly. Users should look at Google Presentations as a slimmed downed version of Microsoft PowerPoint.

Pros

1- Collaborations

Google Presentation, as well as the other tools included in the Google suite of document based software, allows for seamless collaboration. Therefore, this makes it perfect for anyone who is working with a group of people. You can just give permission to anyone and determine the level of access that you would like them to have. From this access point, they can leave comments, edit the document, or do whatever you gave them permission to do. This is one major advantage that the online version has over the traditional.

2- Price

Google Presentations is completely free. There are no advertisements, therefore, you have a clean elegant interface to work with.

3- Makes Chromebooks More Appealing

You may realize that Google is really trying to market their Chromebooks, especially to educational institutions. This could potentially have a long-term impact on the likelihood that schools will opt to utilize Google services, because they could potentially save money by using Chromebooks. You may be aware that there is currently a battle raging over who dominates the classrooms across the country and around the world.

4- Easy to Use

The average user will find that using Google Presentations is easier to learn that the traditional Microsoft desktop based version. However, Microsoft now has its own version of cloud-based word processing software to no doubt counteract the influence that newcomers to their space are chipping away at.

5- Access to Other Google Products

Google Presentations allows users to easily access Google Search and YouTube. Therefore, you are able to access and input various forms of media files such as images and video from YouTube or any url. You can highlight any text inside of your presentations and research it, right there, and link that text to any webpage.

6- Export and Import Options

You are able to export Google Presentations into various formats: PowerPoint, image, PDF, etc. Also, you can make your files publicly available online as links or embedded directly into a website or blog. This is one advantage that Google Drive suite of programs has over Microsoft Office--the ability to embed a wide variety of media files.

7- Automatically Saves One's Progress

There is no need to save, because saving of your work is continuous.

Cons

1- Tied to the Web

There are not too many cons when it comes to Google Presentations. However, what really stands out is the inability to edit documents without internet access. If you want to edit files offline, you will need to download Google Chrome and establish offline access.

2- Limited Templates

There is a limited amount of templates available to Google Presentations. However, you can import templates used in Microsoft Office's PowerPoint.

Overall

From the Publisher: Google

Create inspiring presentations. With Google Slides, you can create, edit, collaborate, and present wherever you are. For free.

Tell stories that matter. Google Slides makes your ideas shine with a variety of presentation themes, thousands of fonts, embedded video, animations, and more. All for free.

Get to your presentations anywhere, anytime

Access, create, and edit your presentations from the palm of your hand.

Never hit “save” again

All your changes are automatically saved as you type. You can even use revision history to see old versions of the same presentation, sorted by date and who made the change.

Slides is ready to go when you are. Simply create a presentation from your browser or on your phone or tablet with the mobile app.

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PowToon Review

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If a picture speaks a thousand words, an animation conveys an idea.

(Powtoon, 2014)

Powtoon

PowToon limited

5

Powtoon is an online presentation and video software that allows anyone the ability to effectively communicate their ideas by using cartoon based animations to wow their audience. I am sure that you have heard of Microsoft PowerPoint, Prezi or other slide-based presentation software. Well, Powtoon has taken this technology to another level by allowing almost endless customization on the the type of cartoon-based presentations that can be created with their software. Your imagination seems to be the only limiting factor.

A Powtoon, as defined by the creators, is a fusion of cartoons with traditional presentation formats of using slides and transitions to convey a message.
The cartons have added an extra dimension that allows for increased engagement and excitement while reducing boredom and fatigue.
Presentations that were only limited to major corporations with big budgets to hire Flash or HTML5 animation experts. Powtoon allows creators the ability
to create slide presentations or animated videos. The videos and slides can be created from scratch, uploaded from PowerPoint or from editing Powtoon templates. However, the overall effect of your slides will be determined by you. Your only limitation appears to be your imagination.

Pros

Novices Welcome

1-You do not have to be an expert to create captivating videos and slides. All you need is a little imagination to differentiate yourself from the pack. If you are using this for a business, you may want to invest in a pro-plan to a least differentiate your images from your competitors.

2- Great For Students

This is a great software for students to master. This is mainly because an effective cartoon animation will require students to develop their own script-writing. They have to plan and organize.
These are skills that they will need to master in the future, why not start mastering those skills during today's education. Use flash expert to create appealing and entertaining visuals.

3- Fun to Watch

No matter how silly or corny the videos are, if they hit the below 3 minute sweet-spot, people will watch it all the way through. Therefore, this is an effective way to get your message across.

4- Great for Introductory or Explanatory Videos

How about a video that explains who you are to your students and their families that you play during meet and greet sessions? How about a fun lesson that you made, supplemented by an animated video? Students love seeing and hearing their teachers on screen.

5- Update Videos

You can easily go back and update the videos, even after you have published videos, because the source files will always be available to you.

6- Increased Engagement

Present interactive infographics by utilizing the power of video and sound to really get your point across. This may be more effective than just using info-graphics.

7- Well Supported

Powtoon is well documented. There is a support section where you can send in your feedback. Additionally, they have live chat support and a very useful set of getting started with Powtoon videos located here.

Cons

1- Time Consuming

If you are a perfectionist, your final product will take time to crank out. If you have your entire class doing this, make sure that you have your students develop their script and record themselves before they even touch the software, especially during class-time.

2- Miss the Idea

Be very careful with animated videos. If it is a concept that you really want your students to get, try not to make it too funny or students may be too distracted and lose the main purpose of the lesson, especially for younger children.

3- Internet Connection Needed

Powtoon is an online-browser based software. Therefore, you are limited to areas or times in which you have internet connection.

Overall
This may not be a PowerPoint killer as it professes to be. However, the wow factor is indisputable.

From the Publisher: PowToon limited

PowToon's Mission:
To address all the frustrations that people have with Power Point and Keynote and add animation and killer design We defined our mission as: PowToon will create the world’s most minimalist, user friendly and intuitive presentation
software that allows someone with no technical or design skills to create engaging professional “look and feel” animated presentations. Our aim is to establish a new presentation category called “powtoon” – a combination of presentation and animated cartoon – as the industry standard for evolved (animated) presentations.

Our greater vision is to effect the way people communicate in a profound way: “If a picture speaks a thousand words,
an animation conveys an idea.” In the next series of post we will outline how the hard work of turning an idea into reality began...
PowToon hearts Business

Every business needs to convey their message and benefits in an attention grabbing and engaging way.
The added level of abstraction created by using cartoons allows a viewer to experience benefits of
using a product before they ever laid hand on it. The process of creating an animated presentation of
your product or service has - until now - been a cost and time intensive process (starting at $2,000 and going up
to $25,000 for a 90 second animated presentation). PowToon is disrupting this space by providing marketers and
businesses with the tool and marketplace to create their own awesome Powtoon.
PowToon hearts Education

PowToon wants to also make a difference in the education sector and our tool is designed to allow education
professionals (and students) to create content that is visually engaging, captivating and fun to make.

 

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