Home Catalogue Books and Resources

Reading made easy everywhere

This new portable and affordable digital audio book player helps students increase their reading speed, comprehension and vocabulary, wherever they go. And as reading becomes easier for them, their independence and self-esteem improves!

The ClassMate reads aloud and simultaneously displays and highlights text on its full colour screen. Its simple, flexible interface can be configured to the user’s specific needs.

It also includes helpful study tools to enhance learning such as bookmarks, voice recording, highlighting function and a speaking UK dictionary. With built-in text-to-speech, it works with e-text, NIMAS and DAISY files and other file formats (now supporting MP3 and WAV).

View ClassMate Reader Image Gallery and Screenshots

“We developed the ClassMate Reader from input of students with learning disabilities and their supportive networks around the country. Taking their needs into account, we better understood the features and tools they require to be successful readers and lifelong learners. I am especially excited about our built-in UK dictionary to help students instantly look up words with vocal output.” – Brenda McBride, Product Manager for HumanWare, Canada

What makes ClassMate Reader successful where others have failed?

• Stand-alone
  Unlike other reading and learning applications that require a computer, the ClassMate is a completely portable stand-alone solution (similar in size and weight to a Sony PlayStation Portable PSP). Digital books, curricular materials, periodicals, etc. can be downloaded and stored on an SD card or an USB memory stick for easy access anytime, anywhere.
  
• Flexible
  The ClassMate can be set to match the user’s pace preferences. Its full-colour screen can be configured to change font type, text size, colour, line spacing, etc. The user can adjust text scrolling speed and move text to view above or below the passage read.
  
• Interactive
  Using your fingertip or the stylus, you can interact with the text on the touch screen and its simple, user-friendly interface. Simply touch the screen to underline a text passage, insert a bookmark or a note in the text or even consult the integrated dictionary.
  
• A Multimodal Approach compatible with Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
  The ClassMate uses a proven multisensory multimodal approach, which consists of stimulating both sight and hearing by the simultaneous use of text and audio. A number of studies have shown that multimodal approaches improve understanding.

  “Students who had access to the digital audio textbook had a 38.1 percent increase in their pre- to post-test scores than their peers in the control group (21.6 percent).” -Source: John Hopkins
  

• Study Tools to Enhance Learning
  The ClassMate also provides essential functions to enhance learning. By simply touching the screen, students can highlight the text to focus on specific passages, or insert bookmarks to instantly return to important sections or pages. They can also take text or voice notes to complement their comprehension of the text. With the integrated dictionary, students can immediately look up a word’s spelling, pronunciation and meaning.
  
• Lots of Compatible Contents
  Where can you find content for ClassMate Reader? Easy! Check out some of these content sources for the ClassMate Reader.

Main Features (see what’s new in ClassMate Reader 1.2)

• Synchronised text and audio
  
• Study tools to assist in the learning process:
  
  • Highlighting: helps focus on important passages
    
  • Bookmarks: helps find specific pages or sections in a snap
    
  • Text or Voice Notes: allows to take personal notes within the text to complement comprehension
    
  • UK Speaking Dictionary: instant access to more than 25,000 words. Provides spelling, pronunciation and meaning.
  
  
• Create personalised tests in text format to accommodate students during exam periods
  
• Built-in text-to-speech (TTS) using the new Nuance Vocaliser human-sounding voice. Three voices are available onboard: Daniel – UK English male, Tom – US English male, and Samantha – US English female.
  
• Easily copy text files on NIMAS text book
  
• Touch screen for interaction with text
  
• Plays DAISY 2.x, DAISY NISO, MP3, WAV, NIMAS, Txt, HTML, XML, AMR-WB, Bookshare.org, Audible.com 4, RTF, Ogg Vorbis, WMA and more…
  
• Voice recording capability via built-in microphone. You can record thoughts while reading, record teacher lectures for future reference… It’s great for reminders, to-do lists, and homework messages.
  
• Playback through stereo headphones or built-in speaker
  
• Upgradeable software – to play future book and multimedia formats

Usability Features

• Variable speed playback for both recorded and electronic text books
  
• Accelerated Fast Forward/Rewind with audible feedback; the longer you hold down the
  key the faster it moves through the book
  
• One minute Time Jumps
  
• Auto shutoff to conserve battery when not in use
  
• Timer setting, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes preset times
  
• Personalised Timer setting
  
• Built-in stand for hands-free use and stylus for use with touch screen
  
• Dedicated buttons for volume/speed – increase and decrease buttons
  
• Key lock feature
  
• Book information – displayed on screen
  
• Where Am I displayed on screen to indicate current reading position
  
• Built-in user guide
  
• Built-in Key Describer
  
• Built-in onscreen keyboard – QWERTY, alphabetic and accent keyboards
  
• Visual display of battery capacity and recharging status
  
• Screen Illuminates when plugged in
  
• Screen displays battery icon while recharging
  
• Built-in speech announces folder, button features and file names
  
• Buttons designed for comfort of use
  
  • Dedicated buttons for key functions – i.e., Record, Study tools, Go to page, Dictionary
    
  • Quiet keypad with simple four-arrow navigation
    
  • Home button – Main menu
    
  • Dictionary button – Syllable, Spelling, Definition, Contextual Reference
    
  • Record button – Instant Record
    
  • Study Tools button – Highlighting, Text notes, Bookmarks, Navigation of bookmarks, Dictionary
    
  • Go to button – Go to Page, Go to Heading, Find Text
    
  • On/Off power button
    
  • Play/Pause button
  
  
• SD card slot has finger depression for easy card insertion and removal
  
• Separate Volume settings for the speaker and headphones
  
• ClassMate automatically normalises the selected volume setting so the volume level is consistent for both recorded playback and player messages
  
• ClassMate is recognised as a standard Windows USB drive when connected to a PC. PC
  file transfers can be done with Windows Explorer or ClassMate PC Companion software

Hardware Features and Specifications

• Weight: 300 grams (10.7 oz)
  
• Dimensions: 9cm x 15.5cm x 2.5cm (3.54” x 6.1” x 0.98”)
  
• Interactive touch screen 5cm x 7.6cm (2” x 3”), landscape view, full colour display
  
• Microphone
  
• Built-in speaker and headphones jack
  
• Stereo headphones (supplied)
  
• Connectable to external thumb drives/USB drives
  
• USB 2.0 port to connect to PC as Windows USB drive
  
• SD card slot – Supports SD (Secure Digital) cards up to 2GB and SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) cards of 4GB or higher. If you purchase a 4GB or higher SD card make sure the card bears the SDHC designation.
  
• Transfer files through the USB adapter cable or through an SD Card reader
  
• Replaceable rechargeable Lithium Ion battery (7 hours playtime)
  
• Built-in battery charger – Reader can be played while recharging (full charge in 4 hours)
  
• Battery life estimated at 2 to 3 years and is simple to remove and replace

The ClassMate Reader package includes:

• ClassMate Reader
  
• 1 GB SD card pre-loaded with Building Wings ebook in text and DAISY format
  
• Rechargeable battery and AC Power cord / Recharger
  
• Power supply
  
• Earphones
  
• USB cables (for computer transfers and USB memory stick)
  
• Carrying case
  
• Cleaning cloth
  
• Stylus
  
• Warranty card
  
• CD software transferring tool
  
• Instruction manual on CD and internal memory

If you are planning to purchase additional SD-Card, we recommend you purchase one with at least 1 GB. With this minimum storage capacity, the SD card can store hundreds of books on the ClassMate Reader. If multiple students are planning to share your ClassMate Reader(s), it is recommended that you purchase one SD Card for each student to store their personal library of books, notes, voice annotations and bookmarks.

Related Products

• Dolphin EasyProducer
  
• Dolphin EasyConverter
  
• Mayer-Johnson DAISY and NIMAS Player

View/Download

• ClassMate Reader Quick Reference (pdf)
  
• ClassMate Reader Information Sheet (pdf 1 MB)
  
• ClassMate Reader User Guide
  
• ClassMate Reader Tutorial
  
• Case Study: Results are in! – A study by the Lab School of Washington
  

Register to the ClassMate News Wire – To receive the most recent news about your ClassMate Reader and be automatically notified when a new software version is available.

Prices

	Code	Media	Platform	$NZ Price	$NZ GST
	ClassMate Reader	Includes 1GB SD card pre-loaded with Building Wings e-book
	HWCMR			$900.00	$135.00