About Namecoach

Namecoach is an easy-to-use tool for students and instructors to record and share name pronunciation. The integration of Namecoach supports UMass Amherst's commitment to building a welcoming and inclusive campus community where every individual feels a sense of belonging. 

Instructions are provided below on how to add Namecoach to your courses in Canvas. They also guide you on how to record your name pronunciation. You will only need to record your name once. After saving your recording, your Namecoach pronunciation will be automatically integrated into Canvas. 

Note: We recommend making sure that your browser is up to date for the best experience using Namecoach.

Using Namecoach in Canvas

How to add Namecoach to your Canvas Course

1. In your left-hand Course navigation, select Settings.
2. On the Settings page, select the Navigation tab.
3. On the Navigation tab, click and drag the Namecoach link to the desired location in the Navigation menu. Release the mouse to drop the link.
4. Click Save.

Accessing Namecoach in Canvas

1. Login to Canvas with your NetID and password.
2. After you have logged in, select a course from the Canvas homepage. You will be directed to the course homepage.
3. After selecting a course and navigating to the homepage, select “Namecoach” from the left-hand menu.

Adding name pronunciation to your profile

1. From the Namecoach page, choose either “Record Name” or “Edit your info” to add name pronunciation.
2. You will be prompted to select from one of three options to record your name: Phone, Web Recorder, or Uploader.
   1. The Phone option allows you to receive a call from the Namecoach system to record your name. You will receive instructions on how to record your name on the automated call and have more than one opportunity to say your name if you’d like to re-record.
   2. The Web Recorder option allows you to speak directly into your computer microphone to add pronunciation. Microphone access will need to be granted if you select this option, which can be done by selecting accept from the pop-up, or managing permissions on your browser. Once access has been granted, a countdown to the recording start will begin. After you are finished saying your name, press the stop button to end the recording.
   3. The Uploader option allows you to upload an audio file (.mp3, .mp4, .m4a, .wav) into the Namecoach system that will be used as your name pronunciation. Drag and drop your file into the browser window or select “Browse for file” to upload.
3. After you have added your name pronunciation, select “Submit and Finish” to add your name pronunciation.
4. You will be able to hear what your recording will sound like from your Namecoach profile by selecting the Play button next to your name under “Name/Email”.

Manage your Namecoach recordings

You can re-record your name multiple times by following the instructions above. To delete your Namecoach recording, email support@name-coach.com from your UMass email address. For an immediate fix, you can update your current recording to a new, silent recording and then contact Namecoach support to remove it.