Alternative Formats

Access the information you need, the way you need it.

Have you ever found content in your course that was difficult to read, or you wish came in a different format? Now, if your school uses Anthology Ally, you can download alternative formats of instructor content directly from your course.

Many classrooms today, both physical and digital, are integrated. Students with diverse needs are expected to complete exactly the same work in exactly the same manner. Alternative formats provide greater opportunities for everyone to access the information they need in the way they need or want it. With alternative formats, all students can meet the same learning objectives using resources that are built to target the needs of the individual student. For example, Anthology Ally creates audio and electronic braille alternatives for students with visual impairments.

Alternative formats aren't just for a select group of students. Alternative formats benefit everyone. For example, maybe you have a lot of course material to read and get eye strain, or maybe you’re an auditory learner. Listen to an audio format of the learning materials instead.

Don’t stick to just one format! Use as many formats as you want. For example, if the content isn’t in your first language, you could follow along in the ePub as you listen to the audio file. All from the comfort of your favorite coffee shop or study corner.

Choose the format, or formats, that best suit your learning needs.

By downloading an alternative format, you agree with the terms of service. Select the Terms of Use link in the download panel to learn more.

Video: Ally Alternative Formats

The following narrated video provides a visual and auditory representation of some of the information included on this page. For a detailed description of what is portrayed in the video, open the video on YouTube, navigate to More actions, and select Open transcript.


Video: Ally Alternative Formats Explains how to download alternative formats

See how the Ally Alternative Formats icon may look in your course

Which format should I use?

Not sure what format to download? Let us help you decide. This table shows at-a-glance the best formats for your different needs.

You might not see every alternative format in your list of choices to download. The formats generated depend on the original content type.

Alternative format benefits

Your needs	Electronic braille	Audio	Immersive Reader	PDF, OCR	PDF, Tagged	HTML, Semantic	ePub	Translated Version	BeeLine Reader
Adjust text, font, and background color
Adjust audio playback speed
Commuting
Commuting, driving
Copy, paste, and search
Format adapts to device, responsive
Highlighting, note taking, and bookmarking
Mobile device
Offline
Prefer listening
Prefer reading
Print
Text to speech with speed adjustment
Different language

Watch a video about Ally Immersive Reader

The following narrated video provides a visual and auditory representation of some of the information included on this page. For a detailed description of what is portrayed in the video, open the video on YouTube, navigate to More actions, and select Open transcript.


Video: Ally Immersive Reader provides an overview of Ally Immersive Reader.

Audio

The audio alternative reads aloud the text in the original content. This also includes alternative descriptions for images, if they are provided.

The audio format is saved as an MP3. MP3s are compressed, high-quality sound files that can be played on any computer or mobile device.

Audio formats fail, if the original document contains more than 100,000 characters.

Why use audio?

Not only does audio benefit individuals with visual impairments, research has also proven that audio can increase learning (Boyle et al., 2003).

Maybe these sound like you. If so, audio is a good option.

• You prefer to listen than read.
• You’re an auditory learner.
• You want to read and listen to the content at the same time.
• You have a lot of material to read and find your eyes get tired.
• You read on your commute.
• You don’t want to, or can’t, carry print materials for any length of time.
• You have a visual impairment.

• You want to adjust the speed of the audio.

  Most players allow you to adjust playback speed. For example, Windows Media player, VIC, Audacity, and iTunes.

Audio language

Ally detects the language of the original content and selects a matching language for the audio format file. If you want the original content in a different language, try the Translated Version format.

These are the languages available:

• Arabic female
• Chinese, Mandarin female
• Danish female
• Dutch female
• English (US) female
• English (UK) female
• English (Australian) male
• English (New Zealand) female
• English (Indian) female
• English (South African) female
• English (Welsh) male
• French female 
• French (Canadian) female
• German male
• Hindi female
• Icelandic female
• Italian female
• Japanese male
• Korean female
• Norwegian (bokmaal) female
• Polish female
• Portuguese (Brazilian) female
• Portuguese (Portugal) female
• Romanian female
• Russian female
• Spanish (European) male
• Spanish (American) female
• Spanish (Mexican) female
• Swedish female
• Turkish female
• Welsh female

Electronic braille

The electronic braille alternative creates a BRF file that can be read on a refreshable Braille display (RBD), other Braille reading devices, or within a Braille software like Duxbury. 

Think of a Refreshable Braille Display (RBD) as a monitor-less computer. Most RBDs can connect to internet, create documents, access calendar, and a lot of the basic functionality a computer provides. RBDs can be a standalone device. They can also be connected to a smartphone, iPad, or laptop. Most RBDs are limited to reading one line of Braille at a time. 

Watch these videos to learn more.

• Braille Me Demo
• Refreshable Braille Display and the iPad
• Refreshable Braille Device

Why use electronic braille?

While audio is excellent for reading comprehension, those who read braille acquire higher literacy rates on average. With braille, users with visual impairments can know the spelling, punctuation, and format of text on a page.

Maybe these sound like you. If so, electronic braille is a good option.

• You have a visual impairment.
• You are familiar with braille.
• You prefer to read.
• You want to read and listen to the content at the same time.

ePub

The ePub alternative creates a digital publishing file that can be viewed on mobile devices. ePub files are reflowable. Reflowable means that the content displayed automatically adapts to the device it is viewed on.

Here are a few suggested apps for ePubs.

• Apple: EasyReader, iBooks, Voice Dream, NaturalReader, and Thorium Reader
• Android: EasyReader, Lithium and Voice Aloud Reader
• Windows: Calibre, Icecream Ebook Reader, NaturalReader, and Thorium Reader
• Linux: Thorium Reader

Why use ePub?

ePub is powerful. With it, readers can take notes, highlight content, adjust text and background, and in some cases use text-to-speech.

Maybe these sound like you. If so, ePub is a good option.

• You want to adjust font size and background color.
• You want to highlight content, take notes, and bookmark important pages.
• You want to be able to copy, paste, and search text.
• You want to use text-to-speech and adjust the speed of the speech.
• You prefer to read.
• You read on your commute.

Semantic HTML

What is Semantic HTML? Tags and elements—such as blockquote, paragraph, and headings—are added to add meaning to a page. These tag and elements aid screen reader users with good content structure.

Semantic HTML is viewed in a browser and adapts to the device you are viewing it on.

Semantic HTML is available offline on your mobile device, if you don't close your browser.

Why use Semantic HTML?

Semantic HTML is ideal when the content has complex layouts.

Maybe these sound like you. If so, Semantic HTML is a good option.

• You want to adjust font size and background color.
• You want to highlight content, take notes, and bookmark important pages.
• You want to be able to copy, paste, and search text.
• You want to use text-to-speech and adjust the speed of the speech.
• You prefer to read.
• You use a screen reader.

OCR PDF

OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. The OCR PDF alternatives are created when the original content is a PDF of an image. OCR technology analyses the content and converts the image into searchable text.

The conversion is only as good as the quality of the original content. If the content is difficult to analyze, there may be mistakes.

Why use OCR PDF?

Maybe these sound like you. If so, OCR PDF is a good option.

• You want to be able to copy, paste, and search text.
• You want to use text-to-speech and adjust the speed of the speech.
• You prefer to read.
• You read on your commute.
• You use a screen reader.

Tagged PDF

A Tagged PDF alternative uses tags and elements—such as blockquote, paragraph, and headings—to add meaning to a page. It aids screen reader users with good content structure.

Why use Tagged PDF?

Maybe these sound like you. If so, Tagged PDF is a good option.

• You want to be able to copy, paste, and search text.
• You want to use text-to-speech and adjust the speed of the speech.
• You prefer to read.
• You read on your commute.
• You use a screen reader.

Library reference

If your instructor provides library reference information for their content you can see it when viewing alternative formats.

From the Alternative formats panel select Library reference.

If there is no library reference information provided, you don't see the option.

Disabled alternative formats

Instructors and administrators can turn off the alternative formats for an individual content item within a course. If this is done and you select Alternative formats, you'll see a message saying the alternative formats are disabled.