Technical Requirements for Reading Assistant

Owned by Forrest Rose
Last updated: Aug 30, 2024
3 min read
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Reading Assistant Homepage

Check these system requirements and whitelists and share them with your IT team. The Reading Assistant System Requirements below lists system and device requirements to run Reading Assistant, including:

  • Device and Browser Versions

  • Headsets

  • Browser Settings

  • Network Requirements

  • Firewall and Content Filter Requirements

Device and Browser Versions‍

To use Reading Assistant, you need to use an up-to-date web browser. Reading Assistant works best using Google Chrome or Safari on an iPad for best results. 

Unless otherwise noted, Reading Assistant supports the latest two versions of all major browsers. If your browser displays a message that you need to update, follow the prompts on the screen to update your browser. If the message is still displayed after you update the browser, try clearing your browser cache and cookies.

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NOTE: iPads are compatible ONLY with student users. Teachers and Admins must log in to Reading Assistant on another device type.

Headsets

We recommend headsets without a mute button and a USB connector, such as the Logitech Education Headset. For iPads, the Logitech 3.5mm Headset for the classroom works well. If the 3.5mm headset needs an adapter, we strongly recommend an Apple brand lightning or USB-C adapter.

Tips for headsets

  • The noise-cancelling microphone is ideally optimized for dictation software.

  • Dual, over-ear, or on-ear earphones.

  • No controls - avoid headsets with accessible mute or volume controls.

  • Choose a microphone with a boom (arm) long enough to extend in front of a student's mouth.

  • Connector - A USB analog connection is preferred for non-iOS devices.

  • Choose a headset that can hold up to repeated student use.

Network Requirements

  • Reading Assistant requires 10 Mbps download and upload to run efficiently. The classroom's internet bandwidth should support every device running at 10mbps. If your students are having trouble with lagging or loading, we suggest running a speed test on the device: speedtest.net

  • Network Interface Cards supporting TCP/IP (wireless networks, including 802.11a, 802.11g, or 802.11n)

  • Most standard internet plans provide adequate bandwidth for Reading Assistant. However, internet speed may vary depending on other devices used at home.

Browser Settings

  • Never remember credentials for www.amiratutor.com

  • Pop-up blockers must allow www.amiratutor.com

  • Siri and other voice recognition software should be disabled on all devices.

  • When using Microsoft Edge, ensure that Reading Assistant has been added to the "Never put these sites to sleep" list. 

    • Navigate to the settings menu

    • Select system and performance

    • Add www.amiratutor.com to Never Put These Sites to Sleep.

Firewall and Content Filter Requirements 

Firewalls, Content Filters, Proxy Servers, and Virus Protection can significantly impact Reading Assistant's overall performance, even when bandwidth appears sufficient. If possible, bypass content filters and proxy servers and ensure the proxy server cache is configured correctly.

Always allow (whitelist) the following domains in your school's firewall and allow for HTTP and HTTPS (SSL) connections.
https://www.google.com:443/speech-api/*
https://sentry.io:443
https://www.amiratutor.com:443
https://api.getmagicbox.com
https://googleapis.com
https://www.google-analytics.com
https://*.cloudfront.net:443
https://*.amazonaws.com:443
https://*.amira.services
wss://*.amira.services:443 (websocket for speech)

Sometimes, a more generic URL must be added to the custom allow list. Simply allowing *amira.services* (no wss, no HTTP, no https), just the wildcards on both ends of amira.services will work better for your firewall.

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