Using Mercury Reader
Mercury Reader is a great chrome extension that removes ads, sidebars, and drop down menus to create a clean and easy to read text. This makes websites less visually distracting to students and also makes articles easier to print. Today's video explains how to install and use this extension.
Using Read and Write Chrome Extension - Part 2
Read and Write is a Chrome Extension that reads text aloud to you. The free version of this program will highlight each sentence in a text and then read the text to you, highlighting each word as it reads it. This program is great to help edit a piece of writing or help striving readers access text that may be above their reading level. Today's video explains how to use the extension to listen to a website and change voice and speed settings.
Using Read and Write Chrome Extension - Part 1
Read and Write is a Chrome Extension that reads text aloud to you. The free version of this program will highlight each sentence in a text and then read the text to you, highlighting each word as it reads it. This program is great to help edit a piece of writing or help striving readers access text that may be above their reading level. Check out the video below for a full explanation of installing the extension and the basics of using it.
Using Google Voice Typing
The Google Product Suite has many great built in features to help both students and adults. One of my favorite features is Voice Typing. Just like it sounds, with Voice typing you can type with your voice. Simply click on the Voice Typing button under tools while in Google Docs and, once activated, start talking. Voice Typing will type out what you are saying. Check out the video below for a full explanation on how to get started using Voice Typing!
Siri
One of the more useful features of the iPad, when the technology works, is Siri. To use Siri you need to be connect to the internet through WiFi or cellular data service (if your iPad has that option). Simply hold down the home button (the circle at the bottom) until the microphone and wavy line pops onto the screen. You can then ask Siri to perform a variety of functions from sending emails and messages to adding reminders. This can be a great organizational tool for students. Check out the video below for a full explanation and visual of how to use Siri!
Speech to Text - Part 1
Speech to text is an extremely useful feature for students who have written language disorders, fine motor weaknesses, or who simply perform better when verbally expressing their ideas. Depending on which version of the iPad you have, their are two different ways to access speech to text. Today's video focuses on using the speech to text feature build into iOS.
Speech to Text - Part 2
Today's video focuses on older devices which do not have speech to text available as a built in accessibility feature. On older iPads, you will first need to download the app, "Dragon," which is available for free in the App Store. This video includes instructions for downloading the app, as well as app use and features, and transferring information from Dragon to other apps.
Having Siri Read Aloud
Another great iOS feature is text to speech or the "read aloud" feature. This is great for students who have reading difficulties, for doing research on websites that may have words too difficult for a student to decode, or for editing papers.
Defining Words
A quick but useful iOS feature is the ability to define words within websites. This is great for when students come across higher level vocabulary while reading online.