Read&Write is a literacy support tool that offers help with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments and proofing written work.
Read&Write for Google Chrome is an extension that provides comprehensive reading and writing supports for Google Docs and the web as well as PDFs, stored in Google Drive.
Table of Contents
Learn about how to access features of Read and Write for Google. The premium features include:
Text to speech - Hear documents and web pages read out loud, with read-along highlighting
Dictionary - Instantly clarify and define words as you type
Picture dictionary - Visualise meaning to build confidence and comprehension
Prediction - Enrich your writing with word suggestions
Highlighters - Collect your thoughts and take notes with coloured highlighters
Vocab list - Save words and compile your own personal glossary
Check it! - Check for spelling, grammar and confusable word errors
Installing "Read and Write" for Google Chrome
Text to Speech
Word Prediction
Check It
Speech Input
aka: Speech Recognition
Texthelp PDF Reader Settings - Student Guide
Read&Write for Google Chrome™ - PDF Reader
PDF Reader in G Suite
Using the PDF Reader with Google Classroom
We need to install a PDF tool called OrbitDoc. This is a PDF tool that is created by TextHelp to work well with Read&Write for Google. Click on the link to the right to visit the site.
The first time you visit, you'll need to authorize your Google Account - this might have been done for you already.
The next pop-up should show you your student account. Click on your SD308 student account.
We'll need to give OrbitDoc permissions to work with our Google Drive. Scroll down to the bottom.
Then click ALLOW
Now you've made it to the web version of OrbitDoc. There is also a Chrome Extension that you can add, if you scroll to the bottom of the main screen of the Dashboard.
When you click on Install Extension, you'll be directed to the Chrome Web Store - Click on Add to Chrome. The OrbitDoc extension will be added to your Google Chrome account.
OrbitDoc Preview Video
In this quick video we take a look at the features of OrbitDoc - the newly updated tool from Texthelp.
Using OrbitDoc and Read&Write in Google Drive
This video shows how to use OrbitDoc and Read&Write together in Google Drive to read, annotate and collaborate in your digital documents.
Using OrbitDoc with Google Classroom
This video shows how to use OrbitDoc to create, complete and grade assignments in Google Classroom.
ACCESSING THE SETTINGS of READ AND WRITE FOR GOOGLE
[top left cell] Like many Google products, look for the 3 Dots in the toolbar to access the menu of more options.
The ^ (up carrot) will Hide the Read&Write toolbar and turn it back into the "Purple Puzzle Piece"
[top right cell] The drop-down that will appear
includes:
- Options - Help & Support
- Send Feedback - Texthelp.com
For now, we are focused on Options
[lower left cell] The first menu that should open is the Speech menu. (A) you can alter the Voice (different sounding voices can sometimes make a difference).
(B) The Speed at which the text is read back to you. Default is 50. Move the slider to the left/right to change the speed - or enter a number in the box.
[lower right cell] (C) Continuous Reading - keep this checked if you what the computer to read sentence after sentence. Uncheck the box to read one sentence at a time.
(D) Have each Word or Sentence read to you as you complete it. (E) Change other features in Read&Write. *Please note - not all features are available at the conclusion of the trial period.
It's most likely not gone, you probably just closed it. To get it back, you has to launch the extension again.
So, let's just launch it again.
At the end of the URL Bar, look for the White Puzzle Piece
2. If you don't see it in the main section, you might need to scroll down.
3. When you find Read and Write, click on it to relaunch the Extension.
If that doesn't work, contact your Case Manager and ask them to put in an Assistive Technology request.
If you were to open your PDF that was shared from your teacher, and you cannot highlight or select the text - then the most likely cause of this are:
The teacher shared the PDF as a VIEW ONLY and you cannot actually access the PDF and use your tools
CONTACT your teacher to change your access to the document.
The teacher shared the WRONG TYPE of PDF.
CONTACT your teacher to share the correct type of document.
There are two main types of PDF:
Text-Searchable PDFs (OCR Compliant)
This type of document will be read by Read&Write for Google
Non-Text-Searchable PDFs (NOT OCR Compliant)
This type of document WILL NOT be read by Read&Write for Google