Academic Technology Tools and Online Resources
There are many online resources, apps and computer programs available that can help minimize or remove common barriers encountered in the classroom and education environment. Explore the resources below to see which ones may be helpful to you.
Questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact us at dssaccess@fullerton.edu with any questions.
Looking for more resources?
Check out Ausburg University's Free or Low Cost Assistive Technology resource page for more technology tools.
NOTETAKING
OneNote 2016 - FREE for currently enrolled CSUF students
As a CSUF student, you have access to the Office 365 programs for free. Once you have an Office 365 account you can download the OneNote 2016 app for free. OneNote 2016 is a powerful all-in-one notetaking solution which allows you to: capture audio that links with your typed notes, import slides, pictures, handouts, videos and files, organize your notes in different notebooks, sync your files to the cloud, and more.
OneNote 2016 is available for Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone and Android. Review the OneNote 2016 Essential Training on LinkedIn Learning for a comprehensive walk-through of how to get the most out of OneNote 2016. (As a CSUF student you have access to LinkedIn Learning for free, visit the CSUF IT LinkedIn Learning webpage to sign-up.)
AudioNote
A notepad and voice recorder software program which allows you to capture audio recordings and link your typed notes with the audio. You can also: take notes directly on PDF files or slides, customize fonts and colors, organize your subjects into different folders, sync between devices and more.
AudioNote is available for iOS, Mac, Windows and Android. $15 to $20, one-time purchase.
MicNote
A Google Chrome based voice recorder and notepad web application which allows you to capture audio recordings and link your typed notes with the audio. You can also: insert PDF or PPT slides and images, customize fonts and colors, organize your subjects with different folders, sync between devices and more.
MicNote is available to use in the Google Chrome web browser for Windows, Mac and Android. $15 one-time purchase.
SCREEN READERS AND MAGNIFICATION TOOLS
Be my Eyes App - FREE
Be My Eyes is a free app that connects individuals who are blind and vision impaired with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call.
JAWS and ZoomText - FREE for currently enrolled CSUF students
ZoomText, provides users screen magnification and visual enhancements for screen viewing ease. JAWS provides users with screen reading functionality.
Currently enrolled CSUF students are eligible to ONE license for AT HOME USE of either products offered by Freedom Scientific: ZoomText or JAWS. The software can be installed on up to 3 devices and is available for Windows computers only. Visit the JAWS and Zoomtext page on the CSUF IT website for registration and download information.
NVDA Screen Reader - FREE
The NVDA screen reader allows users to interact with the Windows operating system and many third party applications.
SPEECH TO TEXT (DICTATION)
Google Voice - FREE
Google Voice Typing is a free voice dictation tool available in the Chrome web browser for Google Docs. Voice typing allows you to "speak" or dictate your documents instead of type them.
The following guides will walk you through how to get started with Google Voice Typing:
Google Voice Typing Help and Support Page
You can download the Google Chrome Web broswer here if you do not already have it installed on your computer.
STUDYING
Quizlet - FREE
Quizlet is an online application that allows you to create your own digital flashcards, or use already made ones. You can also add images and audio. There are also options to review information in multiple ways including writing, matching, multiple choice, etc. Since Quizlet is cloud based you can sync your flashcards and study materials across all your devices.
TEXT TO SPEECH (READING)
Kurzweil 3000 - FREE for currently enrolled CSUF students
Kurzweil 3000 is a text to speech software with tools that can assist you with reading, writing and studying. You can use Kurzweil 3000 to have PDFs and text documents read aloud to you, annotate your reading, write papers, organize research and more. Kurzweil 3000's Youtube channel has several short videos which demonstrate many features of this powerful program.
To request access and get started with Kurzweil 3000 visit the IT Student Software Kurzweil 3000 page.
Natural Reader
Natural Reader Online – A personal online (web-based) text to speech application that supports PDF, TXT, docx, PPT, and ePub files. Yearly subscription plans ranging from $0 to $110 per year.
Natural Reader Software – A downloadable text to speech software option that works with PDF, Docx, TXT and ePub files. There are four different software plans available depending on the functionality you are looking for ranging from $0 to $200. Available for Mac and Windows PC.
TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION
Google Calendar - FREE
Google Calendar allows you to automatically add events from Gmail. You can also categorize and organize events by color and set alerts. Google Calendar is cloud based so you can sync across all your devices.
Evernote - FREE
Evernote helps you stay on task by providing tools to create notes, reminders, to-do lists and more. You can also use it to organize documents pictures and web clips. Evernote is cloud based so you can sync across all your devices.
Google Keep - FREE
Google Keep allows you to create notes and lists with time and place reminders. You can also add photos or drawings. Google Keep is cloud based so you can sync across all your devices.
My Study Life Planner
My Study Life is a digital planner where you can organize your classes, tasks and exams & never forget a lecture or assignment again. It's time to say goodbye to your paper planner. My Study Life is everything your paper planner is and more.
WRITING
Grammarly - FREE for currently enrolled CSUF students
Grammarly is an online writing assistance tool that not only does spell check but it also encourages polished grammar, better overall wordsmithing and a professional writing style.
Grammarly is available free to currently enrolled CSUF students. Visit the Grammarly page on the CSUF IT website to create an account.
