Sometimes, we all need help from supplemental digital technology or learning tools; below are some of the many digital applications and resources that are free to all Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) employees.
Do you have a text document and want to convert it into audio?
The SensusAccess "Alternative Media Format" Self-Service Conversion Tool is available to all Southern New Hampshire University students, faculty, and staff.
- To use SensusAccess, please use this customized URL:
- SensusAccess "Alternative Media Format" Self-Service Conversion Tool
- When asked to enter an email, use your @snhu.edu email address. Please note that you will have to enable cookies and pop-ups.
Do you want to improve your writing skills?
Microsoft 365 AI-powered intelligent writing assistant “Editor” available for Word, Outlook, and as a browser extension.
- Microsoft Editor helps improve your writing skills. It checks for grammar errors, and it detects plagiarism (similarities).
- Reference the articles: Microsoft’s proven resume tips.
- Notetaking Tips: How to Take Study Notes: Try these five methods to find your best Note Taking method!
Important Message about the Editor Tool
Note: The default settings are limited to the simple grammar-checking tools, and your refinements will not be as robust as when you customize your settings.
To customize the editor tool, review the following article: How To Enable Editor Settings
Do you want to improve your reading skills?
Microsoft’s "Immersive Reader" improves everyone's reading and writing skills. It features Dyslexia support, Language Translation, and Audio Listening.
- It can help build confidence and offers text decoding solutions:
- Change font size, text spacing, and background color.
- Highlight verbs, nouns, adjectives, and sub-clauses.
- Choose between two fonts optimized to help with reading.
- Read out text aloud and change the speed of reading.
- The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) built into OneNote can decipher text within a picture and then make that available in the Immersive Reader.
Here is a quick How-To use Immersive Reader to help with Text to Speech.
Do you want to dictate and use speech-to-text tools?
Microsoft Dictation helps you author content in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook with a microphone and reliable internet connection. Get your thoughts out, create drafts or outlines, and capture notes.
Windows Dictate: Use dictation to convert spoken words into text anywhere on your PC with Windows. Dictation uses speech recognition, which is built into Windows PC, so there is nothing you need to download and install to use it.
- Use voice recognition in Windows.
- To learn how to set up your microphone, read How to Set up and Test Microphones in Windows.
- Microsoft in Windows 11. Use the built-in voice access feature to control your PC with your voice. Bing Chat can give you answers from the web right from your desktop. Customize your PC settings by reviewing the Windows 11 Accessibility Overview.
Do you want to collaborate with others and organize your workload?
Use Microsoft "OneNote" and “Whiteboard” to collaborate with peers and organize your workload:
- Create a Digital Notebook
- Solve equations with Math Assistant in OneNote
- Use Immersive Reader for OneNote
- Microsoft Whiteboard creates and organizes mind maps, workflows, and brainstorming digital notepads. Whiteboard makes it easy to collaborate in the hybrid workplace or classroom. Brainstorm, plan, and share with others on a digital canvas, all in real-time!
Do you want to convert speech to text and be more inclusive (record audio and transcribe)?
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Microsoft Word Transcription helps you create a transcript. This feature is currently only available on Word for the web. The transcribe feature converts speech to a text transcript, separating each speaker individually. After your conversation, interview, or meeting, you can revisit parts of the recording by playing back the timestamped audio and editing the transcription to make corrections. You can save the full transcript as a Word document or insert snippets into existing documents. You can transcribe speech in two ways:
- Record directly in Word (web).
- Upload an audio file.
Are you looking to stay organized, manage time, and balance work-related tasks?
- Our 365 Microsoft Team can enable two tools, Planner and Viva Insights, ned to help you stay organized, focused, and on tasks.
- These tools can be your virtual coach to stay organized and help guide you through projects from start to completion.
- Viva Insights will schedule focus time and is now available as one of your Microsoft Applications and as an Add-On in your Outlook.
- It will be set as task-specific daily periods for answering voice mail and email without interrupting your other responsibilities. You can use it to set realistic goals.
- You can break up your days into a series of individual tasks or projects and only try to tackle one task at a time.
- A timer tells you when to move on to the next task.
- Please let me know if you want Planner enabled.
Do you want to be more inclusive and choose how you contribute to a Teams meeting/conversation?
- Use the Microsoft Teams features to enable “Accessibility Settings” as an inclusive collaboration, such as transcripts, captions, meeting notes, whiteboard, and prioritizing Signers to customize your experience in Teams.
Do you want to use translation tools to be more inclusive?
- Now, you can use the translation feature in a TEAMS meeting.
- Microsoft Translation App can also be installed on devices (smartphone and tablets):
- Users (including the facilitator/organizer) have the app installed, and the translated conversations will appear across the devices for one-on-one chats or group interactions.
- After each user has installed the app:
- The facilitator/organizer will press or hit the "Start conversation,” log in and enter their name and language.
- The facilitator/organizer will share the conversation code with other participants, who can join the chat using the Translator app or website.
- The facilitator/organizer will speak or type in your language to communicate with other participants in the conversation. Other participants will see messages in their language.
Do you want to explore the Texthelp Products that help people communicate accurately and fluently?
- EquatIO dictates math formulas and uses a digital graphing calculator. EquatIO should be used with Read & Write.
- Read & Write is a customizable toolbar that integrates reading, writing, studying, and research support tools. This text-to-speech tool supports reading literacy, audio note-taking, comprehension, annotation, dyslexia, and audio listening.
- Visit the Introduction to Read&Write for an overview of the functions of Read and Write.
- Visit the Read&Write Training Portal for self-paced courses, tips, and video tutorials to learn the features and best practices.
Employees- Please Note: Texthelp Software Products require admin credentials to install the software on your device. Please let me know, and I will facilitate the installation. I can also help you customize your settings to maximize the functionality and features of these two free digital software tools.
Do you want to learn how to manage stress and anxiety, as well as how to get quality sleep through a variety of free mindfulness and meditation exercises?
Southern New Hampshire University has partnered with Insight Timer (Premium Access).
- Employees can access the premium version of Wellness, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga resources—Insight Timer @ Work.
- Once in the app, the briefcase button in the top left corner brings you to the "SNHU Community." When you press the "discover" button, you will access over 140,000 free resources.
- Explore the Insight Timer @ Work Application on the web, mobile device, or tablet.
If you have any questions or would like more training on how to use these digital tools or learning aids, or want to explore different tools, please reach out to Martha Patricia Petersen, Assistive Technology Manager:
- Book an appointment with M. Patty Petersen, Assistive Technology Manager: https://tinyurl.com/5yurujva.
- Send an email to: [email protected].