Read and Write for Google
Summary of the Read and Write for Google.
R&W for Google is an extension for Google Chrome that is primarily a reading support, but also provides writing supports. There are two different versions of R&W for Google, a free version and a premium version. The Premium version is available for free for teachers to explore and costs $99 for a yearly subscription for student accounts.
Free: The free version provides text to speech and dual highlighting (yellow & blue) for any text on any website! (AWESOME!) It also provides an in the text translator.
Premium: The premium version provides the same text to speech, dual highlighting, and translator features. It also includes supports for Google Docs, specifically, multi-highlighting options for active reading, extracting highlights, a vocabulary chart, a regular and picture dictionary, and word prediction.
Pedagogical Uses
R&W for Google can support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in the classroom through the text to speech and translator tool. The multi-color highlighters allow students to actively read and extract information from the text to utilize for studying or building a written piece. The screen cast below demonstrates how the Premium version of R&W for Google can be utilized to support active reading, notes can be extracted from the text, and listened to again for further studying.
How to do it
1.) First, the Read and Write for Google Extension needs to be downloaded in the Chrome Store.
2.) Click EXTENSIONS.
4. Search "Read and Write for Google."
5.) Click "Free." *Mine says RATE IT because I already have it installed!
6.) You'll have to accept the permissions for Read and Write for Google to access your Google Docs.
7.) You will automatically have the 30 day FREE trial for the premium version when you first download the extension. When you have it visible, your icon to the right of your web site bar will look like this:
8.) When you are on any website you can click on the icon to listen to the text or translate it! A video demonstration is included below!
9.) While you open a document in Google Docs, you will automatically see the Read and Write tool bar to utilize in your document.
10.) Here is a video describing each of the features of the tool bar icons.
Limitations
- Premium Version: $99 a year for students
- Free version - limited options
- Text to speech ONLY READS TEXT (no flash supported)
- Premium version will read PDFs in Google Docs, not free version
- Tools run on internet speed, causes a lag for word prediction and text to speech.
- Word choices have to be clicked with a mouse (no number hot keys or arrow down and enter to select)
- Limited voice speed options (only 4)
Conclusion
I would highly recommend the free version of Read and Write for Google to be downloaded on every computer so that ALL students can have access to speech to text while reading ANYTHING online (for pleasure or school assignments). If your school district works heavily with Google Docs I would also recommend the premium version to reinforce active reading and studying. But, take advantage of the FREE version for teachers and explore away!