Read & Write for Windows is a piece of software that is on all computers within College, however this can only be accessed within College.
Read & Write for Google Chrome is a web based extension add on. So as long as you use your institutional account - student or staff email address - you can add the extension and use it at home. It is not as comprehensive as the Windows software, but the developers at Texthelp are working on improving it. These slides show you the differences.
In the Google Chrome Web store, find the Read&Write for Google Chrome extension and add it to Chrome, also add the Screenshot Reader at the same time
When you open a Google Doc, click on the RW symbol
Then a drop down icon will appear
Click on that icon to open the toolbar.
By clicking on the icon, the toolbar drops down. This is a slightly different toolbar to the one that drops down if opening it on a Web page.
Speech - you can change the voice and speed, plus decide if you want it to read continuously or in a different language.
Prediction - You can say how many words appear in the box.
Language - Set to English UK
Features - You can decide what you want on the task-bar from here.
Prediction
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web
What it does - Provides word suggestions as you type. Develops writing skills and helps construct error-free sentences more easily.
The Prediction box follows the line you are typing on. Click on the word you want to use.
Dictionary
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web
What it does - Provides definitions to improve comprehension and writing. Definitions can be read aloud.
Picture Dictionary
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web
What it does - Provides definitions to improve comprehension and writing. Definitions can be read aloud
Play Pause Stop
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web
What it does - Reads text aloud with dual colour highlighting and natural sounding voices
Screenshot Reader
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web
What it does - Converts inaccessible text through OCR. Click the icon and then drag the mouse to draw a rectangle around the text.
Speech Maker
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web.
What it does - Converts selected text into an audio file, which will be automatically downloaded and can be saved in Google Drive. It turns the file into an MP3 file
Web Search
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web.
What it does - Helps with research by doing a Google search for relevant information on a topic.
Screen Masking
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web
What it does - Tints the screen and provides a spotlight that follows the mouse pointer to help improve focus. Unlike the windows masking, there are no choice of colours.
Speech Input
Where it works - Google Docs, Web
What it does - Turns spoken word into text by dictating into a microphone. This sign appears when it is ready for you to dictate.
Translator
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web
What it does - Allows words to be translated into Spanish, French or Portuguese and spoken in that language. It only works with single words
Highlighters
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web.
What it does - You can highlight and colour code sections of text on a page to facilitate summarising, catagorising and higher order skills. Highlights can be erased when you're finished.
Highlight Collector
Where it works - Google Docs, Web
What it does - Collects all the highlights into a new Google Doc. It gives you a link to the web page you have used.
Vocabulary List Builder
Where it works - Google Docs, Web
What it does - Builds a vocabulary list in a Google doc, including words, definitions and images. There is also an editable notes column, Use the highlighters to choose the words you want to put into it.
Voice Notes
Where it works - Google Docs
What it does - Records a short audio file of your voice and inserts it into a Google Document
Practice Reading Aloud
Where it works - Google Docs, Google Slides, Web
What it does - Allows you to practice and record yourself reading selected text, use support tools, listen to your recording and send to your tutor for feedback. Can be embedded into Google Classroom.
Hover Speech
Where it works - Web
What it does - Reads text on websites in Chrome without highlighting, you just need to hover over the text.
Simplify Page
Where it works - Web
What it does - Removes clutter from the web pages and places the simplified text into a new tab.
This is the Texthelp PDF Reader Toolbar
There are three sections that are unique to this toolbar.
- Comments
- Pushpin Annotations
- Typewriter Annotations
Typewriter Annotation
This allows you to type text directly onto your PDF. Great for note taking, fill in the blank and open answer questions. Click the icon and place it where you would like the text leaving. All the features on the PDF toolbar can be used here
Pushpin Annotations
This is similar to Typewriter Annotations. The only difference is it leaves a pin mark rather than the whole text.
Comments.
This allows you to comment directly in a PDF document by selecting some text and clicking on the icon.. You can collaborate and discuss with others about the PDF.
Prediction, Talk&Type, Voice Notes and playback are available here. You can also insert an image or link.
See below on how to integrate into Google Classroom
