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Getting Started with Reading Lab
Getting Started with Reading Lab

Make sure eSpark can hear your students read!

Carly Slovenec avatar
Written by Carly Slovenec
Updated over a week ago

With the eSpark Reading Lab students receive instruction and feedback on phonics. In order for this to work, eSpark must be able to hear students read aloud.

This article includes instructions for set up and troubleshooting.

Allowing microphone permissions

When a student begins a Reading Lab activity, eSpark asks students to Allow use of the microphone.

If a student has blocked microphone permissions

When eSpark asks the student to use the microphone, it's important they click Allow. If a student clicks Block by mistake, you can help them fix it.

Fennec will show the student instructions explaining how to update their microphone settings. After toggling the Microphone and Sound settings on, the activity should start right away. More detailed device-specific instructions can be found below.

Chromebook

  1. Go to espark.app on the student's device. Open the Reading Lab activity.

  2. Click the site settings icon at the top of the screen next to the URL.

  3. Turn the Microphone and Sound toggles On.

  4. Reload the page if the activity doesn't automatically begin again.

iPad

On iPads, students are prompted to Allow Access to the Microphone upon each reload.

  1. Go to espark.app on the student's device. Open the Reading Lab activity.

  2. Click Allow when student.esparklearning.com requests Access to the Microphone.

Other Audio Issues

If Fennec can't hear students speak, they'll say, "Oh no! I can't hear you. Let's see if we can fix it." This may happen simply because the student did not read the word. Or it could happen because of a hardware or settings issue.

Here are some steps for you to try.

Step 1: Check the device and/or headphone microphones

If the student has headphones plugged in

  1. Unplug the headphones.

  2. Refresh the page.

  3. Try the Reading Lab activity again using the device's microphone.

If the activity works without headphones, this indicates that the microphone on the headphones is not functioning properly. We suggest swapping out the student's headphones or continuing with the device's microphone.

If the student does not have headphones plugged in

  1. Plug a set of headphones with a built-in microphone into the device.

  2. Refresh the page.

  3. Try the Reading Lab activity again using the device's microphone.

If the activity works with headphones, this indicates that the microphone built into the device is not functioning properly. We suggest using headphones for Reading Lab or swapping out the student's device.

Step 2: Check the microphone's input level

Chromebook

  1. On the bottom right side of the screen, select the time.

  2. Click Settings.

  3. Under Device, click Sound.

  4. Under Input, drag the Volume slider to adjust the input volume. We suggest moving the slider towards the right but not to the highest level.

Mac

  1. On the computer, go to the Apple menu > System Settings, then click Sound in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

  2. Click Input on the right, then select the device you'd like to adjust (you'll see options for the device itself as well as any connected microphones).

  3. Drag the Input volume slider to adjust the input volume. We suggest moving the slider to the the right but not to the highest level.

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