Overview
Cedar Crest College is offering all currently enrolled students the opportunity to use Kurzweil 3000, a premier text-to-speech program, at no cost.
Kurzweil 3000 is a text-to-speech software that reads text aloud (to users) from most digital and print formats allowing users access to more advanced material while improving word recognition, comprehension and decoding. Kurzweil is available as a web-based software (Kurzweil Firefly), a downloadable application and a Chrome extension that allows information available on the internet to be read aloud.
Not only does use of this program benefit all users, it significantly improves access for persons with learning issues (learning disabilities) as well as English Language Learners (ELL). Kurzweil has many other features that may help users understand new information and study (highlighting, sticky/text notes, dictionary, translation). In addition, students may use the program to listen to papers they've written in order to hear issues with flow, grammar etc. Finally, this program has a Chrome extension, (Read the Web) that allows users to listen to information they can pull up using the Chrome browser.
Requesting an Account
Students who are interested in using Kurzweil and would like an account set up, please email advising@cedarcrest.edu and include the following information:
- Student ID Number
- Major
- Expected Graduation Date
- Reason For Requesting Access
You will receive an email containing your username and password, as well as helpful information about the program.
Tutorials on Using Kurzweil 3000
The Kurzweil Academy contains many helpful videos regarding use of the program. You can find the Academy at:
Kurzweil Academy.
The Guide to Kurzweil 3000 is an especially helpful video that covers how to use the program as well as many of its features. You can find that (45 minute) video here:
Video: Guide to Kurzweil 3000.
Below are several short captioned videos (about five minutes each) on how to use Kurzweil. You will need to be signed into your Cedar Crest Office 365 account to view these videos. They are best viewed in "theatre" mode and you can turn on captions by clicking on the "CC" button on the Stream video screen.
Kurzweil Video One: Opening Documents https://bit.ly/2EUaNtc
Kurzweil Video Two: Reading Text https://bit.ly/2P7hhde
Kurzweil Video Three: Translating Text https://bit.ly/2Q9CQGd
Kurzweil Video Four: Chrome Extension: Read the Web https://bit.ly/2Qg36Pk
Kurzweil Video Five – Highlighting and Notes https://bit.ly/2JEIbTt
Kurzweil Information and Instructions are available in both Word and PDF formats:
Word: https://bit.ly/2yS3blL
PDF: https://bit.ly/2qsBzip
Support / Getting Help
- Information Technology does not support Kurzweil, with the exception of installation errors on College-Owned devices.
- For login and account issues, please contact the Director of Learning and Disability Resources (via advising@cedarcrest.edu).
- For usage questions or installation support on personal devices, technical support for the program is available through the Kurzweil company. Kurzweil Technical Support Page
- Prior to contacting Kurzweil, please make sure to check the Kurzweil Academy for assistance with any issues you encounter.