• Connecting the Headset
• Positioning the Headset
• Microphone Check
• Microphone Check Messages for Audio Signal Problems
• The Continuous Microphone Check
• Microphone Check Error Messages
• Replacing Broken Headsets
Connecting the Headset
Windows® users:
Plug the headset directly into the computer. (We do not recommend use of a USB Adapter with headsets on Windows.)
Macintosh® users: Plug the headset into the provided USB adapter and then connect the adapter to the on the computer. Plug one end of the headphone cable (also provided) into the USB adapter and plug the other end into the computer as shown.
Positioning the Headset
Before students can begin reading, the headset must be correctly positioned for the software to work properly. The tip of the microphone should be to the side of the student's mouth (at a spacing of about two fingers wide), not in front of it. A front placement will cause the student's breath to strike the microphone, causing popping noises that can distort the signal.
Ensure that the colored dot on the microphone (found on the plastic collar next to the foam microphone cover) is facing the user and has not rotated. If the dot is facing in another direction, twist the microphone so that the dot is again facing the student.
For proper microphone placement, try the following: Place two fingers at the corner of your mouth. Make sure that the microphone is almost touching your fingers and lines up with the corner of your mouth.
Have the student place his or her fingertip in front of the microphone and talk. If he or she feels any breath coming from his or her nose or mouth, the microphone is too close; have the student move it farther from his or her mouth.
Once the student has made a selection in the Library, the Microphone Check appears. This feature ensures that the program can properly recognize the student's voice when he or she reads.
The Microphone Check
The Microphone Check appears each the first time a student makes a Library selection after signing in. (It can also be accessed from the menu bar.) The Microphone Check automatically adjusts the audio settings for individual voices. This adjustment is essential for good audio signal quality and a satisfactory experience with the product. The Microphone Check will not let the student proceed with the reading if it detects a problem with the audio signal.
The student will see the following screens when performing the Microphone Check:
• The first screen reminds the student to make sure his or her headset is properly adjusted. It reminds the student not to position the microphone directly in front of his or her mouth. (Breathing directly into the microphone will cause poor performance.)
• Next, the student repeats the text on the screen in the dialog box. The program adjusts the volume of the audio signal according to how loudly the text is read.
• The student then repeats a "p"-heavy phrase. The program listens to the audio and lets the student know if his or her "p's" are "popping."
• If the p's are not popping and the audio signal is otherwise clear, a dialog box appears instructing the student to click Next to go on :
• Once the Microphone Check has been successfully completed, a dialog box appears instructing the student to click Done to open the Selection.
Microphone Check Messages for Audio Signal Problems
Sometimes, Microphone Check will detect a problem with the audio signal. In that case, a message comes up to advise the user of the problem and recommend an adjustment. Then the Microphone Check is reinitiated to reset the audio volume.
If the program detects that the "p's" are "popping", a dialog box will appear instructing the student that the microphone is probably in front of his or her mouth.
The student can adjust the microphone and click Retry. If the student selects Next, the first of three screens instructing proper microphone placement will appear.
If the Microphone Check cannot detect an audio signal, the following dialog box is presented. Check to make sure that the connections are secure and that the headset and microphone are properly positioned.
If the Microphone Check did not detect an audio signal and we suspect a problem with the USB adapter, the following dialog is presented. This dialog box contains an error code. A supporting error message provides you with more information for troubleshooting this issue. See Microphone Check Error Messages
for more information on these error messages.
Audio Track: "We didn't hear you. There may be a problem with your microphone. Please ask an adult for help." (01)
If after two tries the Microphone Check still cannot hear the user, the student is given a dialog box instructing them to ask an adult for help.
Audio Track: "We still don't hear you. There may be a problem with your microphone. Please ask an adult for help." (04)
If the Microphone Check detects "hum" or a buzzing noise in the audio signal, adult intervention is usually required. In this case, the student receives a dialog box instructing them to ask an adult for help.
Audio Track: "We don't hear a clear audio signal. Please ask an adult for help.
The Continuous Microphone Check
In addition to the Microphone Check implemented after sign-in and title selection, a Continuous Microphone Check also monitors audio quality.
As a student reads aloud, the Continuous Microphone Check works constantly in the background to assess the quality of the audio that is coming in from the headset. It checks for interference that could be affecting speech recognition performance because of degraded audio signal quality.
The Continuous Microphone Check is not visible to the user. However, if it is detected that an audio problem is interfering with product performance, Read & Record mode is suspended, and the student is given instructions to make adjustments to try to improve the audio signal. The dialog boxes that give instructions are the same ones found in the Microphone Check.
After two attempts to correct the issue, the student is prompted to ask for adult assistance. The dialog boxes that prompt for adult assistance also contain Error Codes that map to the Error Messages in the Microphone Check section of the Help screen. These messages provide further information for addressing microphone and audio issues. See Microphone check Error Messages for more information.
Microphone Check Error Messages
The numbers next to these help messages correlate with error codes found in the Microphone Check and Continuous Microphone Check dialog boxes. These messages can help you troubleshoot a suspected Microphone problem.
01
We suspect a problem with the USB adapter or the USB port on your computer. Check to be sure the headset connections are correct and secure, then retry the microphone check. If the same error message appears, try selecting a different USB port on your computer. If the error message appears again, the adapter is likely faulty. Try replacing the adapter, and try again.
02
We've adjusted the audio signal in the background but it is still too loud. Macintosh OS 9 is being used or there is another issue restricting our ability to adjust the gain (or audio signal) outside a limited range. Put the microphone an inch further away from the user's mouth and try again. You can also try lowering the volume control in the sound card control panel.
03
We've adjusted the audio signal in the background but it is still too loud. Macintosh OS 9 is being used or there is another issue restricting our ability to adjust the gain (or audio signal) outside a limited range. The user has been instructed to move the microphone further away from his or her mouth, but may need assistance with this. Move the microphone to the side of the user's mouth and at least one inch away, then try the Microphone Check again. You can also try lowering the volume control in the sound card control panel.
04
We can't hear the user. Exit the program and check that the headset connections are correct and secure and the headset is on correctly. Verify that the user is speaking when prompted. Retry the Microphone Check. If the same error message appears, there is probably something wrong with the microphone. Replace the headset and start again.
05
We hear hum in the audio signal. The hum will likely cause problems with speech recognition. Check that the user is not sitting next to machinery or electronic equipment (servers, buzzing fluorescent lights, etc.) that may be producing the hum. If the computer is a Mac laptop, try switching running on battery power, not A/C. Remove the suspected source of the hum and try again. If the same error message appears, there is probably something wrong with the microphone. Replace the headset and start again.
06
We suspect the microphone is in front of the user's mouth, causing breath pops ("popping p's.") These breath pops can affect speech recognition. The user should move the microphone more to the side of his or her mouth and try again.
07
We suspect the microphone is in front of the user's mouth, causing breath pops ("popping p's.") These breath pops can affect speech recognition. The user has been instructed to move the microphone and retry, but we're still hearing the breath pops. The user may need assistance positioning the microphone. Move the microphone to the side of the user's mouth and try again.
08
We are having difficulty hearing the user's voice because of interference from surrounding noise. The user has been instructed to move the microphone closer to his or her mouth so we can get a louder audio signal. The user may need assistance adjusting the microphone. Make sure it is closer to the user's mouth--but not directly in front of it. You may also need to quiet the surrounding noise.
09
We are still having difficulty hearing the user, even with a microphone adjustment. You may need to quiet the surrounding noise or move the user to another location. Be sure that users and computers are adequately spaced apart and that loud readers are not seated next to very quiet ones.
10
The user was talking or we heard noise during the "p-test" phase of the Microphone Check, but we did not hear the expected sentence. The user may need help understanding that he or she needs to repeat the sentence presented in the Microphone Check.
Replacing Broken Headsets
A noise-canceling microphone headset is required to use Charlesbridge Reading Fluency®. A headset is provided at the time of product purchase. Replacement or additional headsets must be purchased by the customer.
Headsets should be replaced by a recommended model. Use of non-recommended headsets will likely affect product performance. Macintosh users must use a USB headset.
Recommended models:
Abeier Model ACL-109M
This headset features an adjustable boom, an adjustable headband and cushioned earphones.
http://www.abeier.com
Andrea Electronics Model NC-65, NC-95
This headset features an adjustable boom, binaural headphones, an adjustable headband and cushioned earphones.
http://www.andreaelectronics.com
/Buy/ProductDesc/NC65.htm
Labtec Stereo 332, Axis 302
This headset features an adjustable boom, binaural headphones, an adjustable headband and cushioned earphones.
http://www.labtec.com
Product Sales: 1-800-732-3053
Telex DS-4v
This headset features binaural headphones, an adjustable headband and cushioned earphones.
http://www.telex.com/education
/Products.nsf/pages/Discovery
Toll Free Customer Service: 800.828.6107 x85546
USB Adapter
Andrea Electronics USB Adapter. REQUIRED WHEN USING A MACINTOSH COMPUTER.
http://www.andreaelectronics.com/Buy
/ProductDesc/USB_Adapter.htm
