• NCDesk
  • NCDesk Home
  • Download
  • Versions
    • About Versions
    • Download Current Release
    • Release History
    • Autoupdate
    • Demonstration Apps
  • Installation Instructions
  • Autoupdate
  • Helpdesk
  • Error Codes
  • Bug Reporting
  • Sample Files
  • File Conversion Guide
  • Test Simulation
    • About the Test Simulation
    • Test Simulation Demo Movie
  • Features Release Schedule
    • NCDesk (Global)
    • Editor
    • Database
    • Spreadheet
    • Window Manager
    • Mail
    • Multimedia
  • Technical Notes
    • Technical Notes Home
    • Spell Check Dictionaries
    • System Architecture
    • Autoupdate
    • Bandwidth-Network Use
    • Bandwidth-Footprint
    • Host Network Analysis
    • Testing Server
    • Requirements
      • Requirements Overview
      • Proposed Network Requirements
      • Proposed Client Requirements
    • Special Considerations
  • Test Registration System
  • Required Technical Project Management Documents
• New Test
  • New 2004 Test Home
  • Background
  • Strand Percentages
  • Events Planned for 2007-2008 School Year
  • Alternative Assessment
  • Accommodations
    • Approved Accommodations
    • Computer Reads Test Aloud
    • JAWS
  • Official actions-recommendations
  • Research/Studies/Results
    • Fall 2003 Study
    • Fall 2004 Trial
    • Spring 2005 Field Test
  • Goals
  • FAQ
    • All FAQs
    • Test Design
    • Accommodations/Special Needs
    • Test Simulation
  • Irregularity Reporting
  • Presentations
  • Guides & Manuals
    • Test Simulation Demo Movie
    • Administration Information Feasibility Study (Fall 2004)
    • Field Test Administration Manual (Spring 2005)
    • Administrative Information for Alternate (Spring 2005)
    • Test Administration Manual (September 2005)
  • Physical Test Environment
  • Test Security
  • Related Links
• New 2004 SCS
  • NCDPI Computer/Technology Skills SCS
• Other Tests Links
  • NCDPI Computer Skills Test Web Page
  • 1998 Curriculum Test (Archived Information)
    • 1998 Curriculum Test Handbook Website
    • 1998 Curriculum Test Handbook PDF
    • 1998 Curriculum Test Performance Sample Items And Files
  • 1992 Curriculum Test (Archived Site)

NCDesk

Installation of Computer Reads Aloud for Test Simulation

Currently, the Computer Reads Aloud feature is only functional on Windows Vista, XP, Windows 2000, Macintosh OS X 10.3 and 10.4.

Install NCDesk as directed in the standard installation instructions (or take updates). This installation is optional (not required). It is only necessary for computers that will be used to demonstrate this new feature. If you have difficulties getting audio to play and no error messages appear, check your computer's audio output settings and devices.

Download the large simreads.jar (1.8 Mb) file and put into the directory that NCDesk was installed. You should get a warning message that you are replacing a file with the same name which is about 667 bytes.

ACTIVATION (to enable the viewing of the audio control buttons while using the test simulation) :

1. Launch NCDesk
2. Choose top menu File>Preferences
3. Use the GENERAL tab and check COMPUTER READS SIMULATION ALOUD

CAUTIONS:
This installation option is only for the test simulation. In order for a student to access this feature during testing, they will have to have this option checked in their SIQ entry in NCRegistration one day or more before the test administration. Computers that will be used to access this feature during testing must be tested for audio functionality by installation and use of this feature. LEA/school technology directors and staff need to be aware of this feature and allow networks to receive audio files from data.ncsu.edu.

This demonstration of this functionality on a computer does not guarantee the performance of this feature during a test administration. The Test Simulation use of this feature does not use network resources. Activation of this feature by students during testing will negatively impact available bandwidth. The increase of total footprint used for the length of time of the test per student (when all audio files are accessed) is equal to 60 standard Online Test of Computer Skills administrations. The footprint increase only impacts downstream bandwidth.

This file was modified on Wednesday, October 17, 2007; at 9:34:03 AM