Embedded Files
Learning Ally is a non-profit corporation that provides reading support for people with disabilities– primarily visual impairment and learning disabilities - and Benchmark has an institutional membership. It has a large collection of recorded books ranging from the first-grade level to graduate school that are available for download. To maximize the benefits of this program, students are encouraged to track the text as well as listen to the audio track.
Setting up Learning Ally
Setting up Learning Ally
Learning Ally needs to be downloaded for the student’s use, either as an app for an iPod, iPad, Mac, chromebook or tablet, or as software for a PC. The app, called Learning Ally Link can be “purchased” (for free) from the Chrome app store, or the Apple or iTunes store. The software, also called Learning Ally Link, can be downloaded by going to the Learning Ally website. A desktop icon will be created for each part of the software. Note that Kindle is not supported at this time. It is helpful to have a pair of earbuds or headphones.
Student user name and password
Student user name and password
Students are registered through the school and given a unique user name and password that stays with them their entire time at Benchmark. If possible , the username is the same at the "stem" of the student's email. The password is benchmark.
Types of Recorded Books
Types of Recorded Books
classic audio – books recorded in an audio only format by a reading volunteer. The student should have a hard copy to read along. The books can be listened to using an iPod, iPad, or computer.
voice text – entire text of book appears on the screen; the text is highlighted as it is read – hard copy of the book is not needed. Best with an iPad or computer.
Assigning books
Assigning books
Teachers/administrators assign books from the collection to the student’s “bookshelf.” There is no time limit on the books or limit on the number of books. The student also has the capability of searching for and adding books.
Screenshot of reading a book - note controls at the bottom.
Using Learning Ally
Using Learning Ally
Signing in
Signing in
The student needs to open the app and sign in to Learning Ally using his or her user name and password.
Downloading books
Downloading books
All the books that have been assigned to the student are listed. Books already downloaded onto the device have a right-pointing arrow. Books that still need to be downloaded have a down-pointing arrow. In order to download the book, the student must click on the book to download it onto that particular device. This may take several minutes depending on the length of the book.
Listening to books
Listening to books
The book will open to the last page read. The controls are at the bottom of the screen. Tap the play arrow to begin. Tap the headphones to adjust volume and speed. Tap the up arrow to access additional controls, including a searchable table of contents, page numbers, bookmarks, and font size. The bookmark feature is handy if you want to remember a particular section to share or return to later. Tapping or clicking the screen allows you to move back to the text.
Additional Features
Additional Features
Tap the index at the top right to access additional settings. This section is where the student can add additional books, manage books, and log out.
Learning Ally Link Getting Started.pdfHome screen dashboard
When you click on "add books" in the additional settings, it takes you to the Learning Ally "library" where you can search for books and add them to your collection.
To maximize the benefits of this program, it is critical that you track the text as you read, either with the Voice Text or with a hard copy of the book if you have Classic Audio. By tracking the text, you are building your sight vocabulary and are more easily able to go back to the text for information or evidence.
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