ClaroRead Speak- increase your ‘reading speed’ and comprehension by turning text based files into audio

Who might this blog post be useful for?: Anyone who finds reading printed text challenging, including individuals who want to increase their reading comprehension and reduce the amount of time it takes to ‘read’ an academic text. This software is also useful for students with mental health challenges who find it difficult to concentrate on a piece of printed text.

What study skills challenges can this app help you overcome?: Slow reading speed, difficulties with comprehension, fatigue when reading academic texts and challenges with reading print e.g due to a visual impairment,

What is the tool or study skills strategy?: Creating an audio file of from text-based materials so that the content can be listened to, as well as read.

Useful information: It is believed that dyslexic students learn best when information is presented in a multi-sensory way. Chloe, who was studying the MA Librarianship found that listening to her academic text whilst reading it on her Kindle, helped to increase her reading comprehension. Chloe, used a program called Lex, although we recommend students use Claro Read (which is available on all networked PCs) or Sensus Access (which is available on and off Campus).

How to create an MP3 file using ClaroRead

Selecting the voice and speed

Claro Read has a number of different voices that can be used to read the text aloud, you can also change the speed that document is read at to suit your personal preferences. The video below explains how you can change these settings. This information is also available from page 65 in the on-line help guide – link here.

How to create an audio of text from Microsoft Word documents or Adobe Reader PDF files:

To use the feature, click on the Save as Audio File button. Please note that you must have your text document open to be able to use this feature.

You will then be presented with the Save As window.

Enter the name you would like to save your file as, select the type of file, and finally select a location to save the file to. When you have done this, click the Save button.

An audio file will be created with that name, and will be saved in your desired folder. When you open the audio file, it will playback the text that was in your document.

5. Depending on whether you’re using a Mac or PC you can now save the file as an AIFF/WAV.

6. Claro recommends that you then use iTunes to turn the file into an MP3. The first time you do this log into iTunes and select Preferences

7.Select the General tab

8.Select the “Import Settings…” button

9.Change “Import Using” to “MP3 Encoder”

Each time you wish to convert an audio file to MP3, you will need to do the following:

Open iTunes and drag the audio file into the library
Right click on the audio file
Select “Create MP3 Version”

Working off campus?

You could also use Sensus Access to create audio files of written text. A help guide on how to do this is available here – Sensus Access guide to creating audio files from text.