Read&Write and OrbitNote

for Google Chrome

Return to LBCC Center for Accessibility Resources

Read&Write for Google Chrome is a web-based screen reading software that is available to all students, staff, and faculty at LBCC. The software consists of Google Chrome extensions, allowing users access from any computer.

Experiences in our office (the Center for Accessibility Resources) show that utilizing screen reading software can increase overall reading comprehension. In addition, it can be used for reviewing writing. By listening to what has been written, it is easier to find spelling and grammatical errors.

Read&Write for Google Chrome also has many other functions that are beneficial to all students, including research functions such as highlighting. With the push of a button, highlights can be collected into a single Google Doc.

All lab computers on campus have Read&Write desktop software installed. However, it is generally recommended that students utilize the extensions rather than the desktop software. There are several benefits of using the extensions including the fact that they will be available from any computer. In addition, Texthelp (the company that runs Read&Write) has focused their technical support efforts more on the extensions and less on the desktop software. Overall, we have found that the extensions are more user-friendly.

Read&Write: Getting Started

Logging in to Google Chrome

It is important to log in to Google Chrome with your LBCC email login information to gain access to all of the functions of the software. If you're unsure of what it means to log in to Google Chrome, this video can help. Note that logging in to Google Chrome is different than logging into your Google account online.

Setting Up Read&Write for Google Chrome

Setting up all of the pertinent extensions so that Read&Write for Google Chrome works at it's peak can be a bit tricky. But don't worry - this video will walk you through the entire process!

How to Use Read&Write for Google Chrome

Reading Functions

This video includes instructions on how to read websites and Google Suite documents. Functions discussed include:

Play, Pause, and Stop
Hover Speech
Screenshot Reader

Writing Functions

This video includes instructions on how to utilize the writing features in Read&Write, such as Prediction and Talk&Type (speech to text).

Additional customization options for Prediction, such as text size and number of results, are also discussed.

Dictionary Functions

Get text or picture definitions, perform Google searches, or add terminology to your Vocabulary list to enhance your learning!

Highlighting Functions

Are you working on a research paper and struggling to collect and organize all of the information you need? The highlighting features in Read&Write can help!

Collect color-coded highlights from web pages into Google Docs - links are included so you don't lose track of your source material!

Miscellaneous Functions

There are so many helpful functions in Read&Write! This video talks about additional functions including:

Audio Maker
Screen Masking
Translator
Simplify page
Practice Reading Aloud

PDF Reader - OrbitNote

The PDF reader from Read&Write has changed to OrbitNote!

Our OrbitNote Tutorial walks through everything you need to know:

How to Install
Viewing a PDF in OrbitNote
Text to Speech
Annotating & Highlighting

Click here to view the tutorial document!

OrbitNote for Google Chrome, is a web-based PDF reading software that is available to all students, staff, and faculty at LBCC. Just like Read&Write, it is a Google Chrome extension that allows users access from any computer.

OrbitNote for Google Chrome also has many other functions, including research functions it can be used as a dictionary, PDF annotator, and highlighting tool. With the push of a button, highlights can be collected into a single Google Doc.

All lab computers on campus have Read&Write desktop software installed, but they don't all have OrbitNote. So, we recommend that students utilize the extensions rather than the desktop software. There are several benefits of using the extensions including the fact that they will be available from any computer (make sure you are logged into your LBCC account). In addition, Texthelp (the company that runs both OrbitNote and Read&Write) has focused their technical support efforts more on the extensions and less on the desktop software. Overall, we have found that the extensions are more user-friendly.

In addition to the tutorial videos below, there is also a step-by-step document with pictures available

Click here to view the tutorial document!

OrbitNote: Getting Started

Logging in to Google Chrome

It is important to log in to Google Chrome with your LBCC email login information to gain access to all of the functions of the software. If you're unsure of what it means to log in to Google Chrome, this video can help. Note that logging in to Google Chrome is different than logging into your Google account online.

Setting Up OrbitNote for Google Chrome

Setting up all of the pertinent extensions so that OrbitNote for Google Chrome works at it's peak can be a bit tricky. But don't worry - this video will walk you through the entire process!

Opening a PDF in OrbitNote

This video includes instructions on how to open a PDF in OrbitNote. Steps discussed include:

Dashboard Navigation
Choosing a File
Opening a PDF from Google Drive

How to Use Orbitnote for Google Chrome

PDF Reader Functions

This video includes instructions on how to read a PDF in OrbitNote. Functions discussed include:

Click to Speak
Play - Pause/Stop

Dictionary & Screen Mask Functions

This video includes instructions on how to use the dictionaries in OrbitNote. Functions discussed include:

Dictionary
Picture Dictionary
Screen Mask

Highlighting Functions

This video includes instructions on how to use the highlight tool in OrbitNote. Functions discussed include:

Highlighting
Color Coding
Collecting/Saving Highlights

Annotation Functions

This video includes instructions on how to use the annotation tools in OrbitNote. Functions discussed include:

Freehand Drawing
Shapes
Text
Pushpin

Having Trouble?

If you have gone through these videos and something still isn't working for you, contact us at formata@linnbenton.edu.