Read&Write Scribe feature

[Benjaminbl12]

Hi all,

 

Has anyone had experience of using the scribe feature (and it actually working) on Read&Write? We're using the 'Exam Mode' and although the whole bit of software is awful, the scribe feature is like trying to flog a dead horse. It's so flakey, freezes and stops after 10 seconds of talking. I found out that the scribe feature requires an active internet connection now, but even after creating exam accounts that are able to contact their servers, it doesn't always work properly.

 

If anyone has got it working, please help! Or alternatively, do you know of any other good scribe software you use for exams?

 

Thanks!

[6Foot2]

Have a look here:

 

Link: ExamWritePad - Educational Software - EduGeek.net

 

It has changed hands since I left work, and I am not aware of the new costs, or if the quality is what it was when I was working, but at that time it did the job.

[Benjaminbl12]

3 minutes ago, 6Foot2 said:

Have a look here:

 

Link: ExamWritePad - Educational Software - EduGeek.net

 

It has changed hands since I left work, and I am not aware of the new costs, or if the quality is what it was when I was working, but at that time it did the job.

Thanks @6Foot2 - Does ExamWritePad now have a scribe mode then (assume that's what you're saying?)?

[6Foot2]

I can't remember the details, but I seem to recall something about ExamWritePad and scribes/scribing.

 

I just thought it might be worth you having a look, although it may turn out that ExamWritePad is not for you.

[ovenchips]

I was on a call with texthelp recently as we purchased the new version of ExamWritePad - now that they own it, they've stripped out all the scribe features and require you to use R&W with it for scribing. The old free version should still have something built in, but not sure how functional / good it is.

[Benjaminbl12]

Honestly, I don't think I've known a more unhelpful company than Texthelp. What do you use @ovenchips?

[ovenchips]

Nothing at the moment, but very spookily I've had a request through as I was writing that last reply from our SEN team about scribing! This is the first time we'd need it so will be looking into either a single R&W license or looking at the native W11 / ChromeOS options instead.

[Olliedawg]

Bit of a cash grab that?

 

We're still using the last free version of EWP here, in combination with the paid Read&Write software

[robintech]

We have the dictation feature working with read&write , it uses the microsoft/bing services afaik.  You have to open up the websockets and their  list https://support.texthelp.com/help/urls-for-whitelisting-texthelp-products#read-write-for-windows-and-mac

 

The most problems we have is with the reader which stops working constantly and sounds terrible. Why they can't improve that if they are outsourcing the dictation and having a live internet connection is beyond me.

Edited March 25, 2025 by ittech2342323

[Defiant-Run5910]

We use both the reader and dictation features to support exams. Now it's working, the SEN team find it great but it was a nightmare to get working. It would freeze when using the dictate feature and crashed when toggling on/off. It turned out to be a proxy issue. 

 

There is a config file called 'ReadAndWrite.exe.config', which has some proxy settings at the bottom, playing around with this eventually got it to work and we have no problems now. It's worth using the debug mode to see what is happening, and a bit of trial and error. I'm not sure if this is an older config, but it worked for me. 

 

It's also worth noting that it does require 'Online Speech Recognition' to be on to work also.

Edited March 25, 2025 by Defiant-Run5910

[Benjaminbl12]

29 minutes ago, Defiant-Run5910 said:

There is a config file called 'ReadAndWrite.exe.config', which has some proxy settings at the bottom, playing around with this eventually got it to work and we have no problems now.

Hi @Defiant-Run5910 - What Proxy settings did you change/what are you using? We have a GPO that enables a proxy for internet access for exam accounts but normally we don't use a proxy (just auto detect).

[Benjaminbl12]

Okay, well, I've done the config change with the proxy (using IP:PORT) and it seems to crash less... It still stops typing after 6-10 seconds of talking or after a certain number of words but it's better than what I had before. Do others also have what I just mentioned?

[Defiant-Run5910]

2 hours ago, Benjaminbl12 said:

Hi @Defiant-Run5910 - What Proxy settings did you change/what are you using? We have a GPO that enables a proxy for internet access for exam accounts but normally we don't use a proxy (just auto detect).

 

Ah, we use a proxy server so filling in these details seemed to fix most issues for us. I'd agree that it's not the most intuitive piece of software. 

 

I've never used this, but if you run Google Workspace, there is a company called Treslon that offer a solution (Dictation / Reader, along with other bits and bobs). Not something I've ever used or could comment on though, I just know of them.