Texthelp’s Read &Write is a Universal Design for Learning software that provides literacy support for all learners. The simple and intuitive toolbar can run on various platforms such as Windows, Macs, Tablets (iPads and Androids), Microsoft Edge, and Google Chrome. Read and Write can work alongside either Google Suite or Office 365 depending on the product you are using.
- All 6 platforms come with one subscription.
- Read&Write is purchased as a yearly subscription and is attached to each user’s account. If a district or user does not have access to a subscription, Read&Write can be purchased per device.
- Office 365 and Read&Write can be used within the Chrome browser. Microsoft districts achieve this by authenticating Read&Write with Office 365.
This course will go over the features on the Read&Write for Google Chrome toolbar. Each Module contains step-by step text tutorials with visuals, along with video demonstrations.
An important document to review prior to beginning: Introduction to Read&Write Toolbars for all Platforms
***Thanks to SD#71 for partnering with us to develop this helpful resource!
Module 1: Introduction
Module 4: Accessing the Toolbar
Module 4 guides participants on how access the Read&Write toolbar once it has been installed.
Chrome Extension
Office 365
Module 5: Check It
Module 5 guides participants on using Check It. This tool checks for grammar and spelling errors within a Google Doc. Using powerful algorithms, Check It can catch many more mistakes, including homophones and phonetic spelling, compared to the spell check feature found within Google Docs.
Module 6: Word Prediction
Module 6 guides participants on how to use the Word Prediction feature. This feature provides the user with suggestions of words based on the initial letters typed. Word prediction assists students who have difficulties spelling or students who have low written output due to mobility issues.
Module 7: Text-to-Speech Options
Module 7 guides participants on how to use the text-to-speech features. These include the Play, Pause, Stop features, the Screenshot Reader, and the Hover Speech feature. This is a useful tool for students who may have excellent comprehension skills, but whose reading abilities need more support.
Module 8: Dictionary and Picture Dictionary
Module 8 guides participants on how to use the Dictionary, and Picture Dictionary features. This allows students to increase their vocabulary, while achieving a better understanding of the material. Students can seamlessly read, and have the word defined with words or with visuals within one place.
Module 9: Audio Maker
Module 9 guides participants on how to use the Audio Maker feature. This feature allows students or teachers to listen to a recording of a text at a later time in an MP3 format.
Module 10: Web Search
Module 10 guides participants on how to use the Web Search feature. This feature allows the user a quick way to research information by searching the web for relevant information about a topic.
Module 11: Screen Mask
Module 11 provides participants with a guide on how to use the screen mask feature. This feature creates a highlighted strip on the screen to assist with focusing on certain section when reading, or for teachers who would like to present particular areas of the screen.
Module 12: Talk&Type
Module 12 provides participants with a guide on how to use the Talk&Type feature. This feature allows the user to you to use their voice to input text (speech-to-text) instead of typing it on a keyboard. This allows students whose writing, spelling, or motor skills need more support to use their voice to dictate text.
Module 13: Translator
Module 14: Highlighters, Clear Highlights, and Collect Highlights
Module 14 guides participants on how to use the Highlighters, Clear Highlights, and Collect Highlights features. These features assist users highlighting, organize, and categorizing selected text in four different colors.
Chrome Extension
Office 365
***Thanks to SD#71 for partnering with us to develop this helpful resource!
Module 15: Vocabulary
Module 15 guides participants on how to use the Vocabulary feature. This feature builds a vocabulary list with words that the user has highlighted. Many students use this as a study guide tool, organizational tool, or use the Notes column for translation to a different language.
Chrome Extension
Office 365
***Thanks to SD#71 for partnering with us to develop this helpful resource!
Module 16: Voice Note
Module 16 guides participants on how to use the Voice Note feature. This feature records a one minute or less audio clip of the user’s voice. This can then be inserted as a comment in a Google document.
Module 17: Simplify
Module 17 guides participants on how to use the Simplify feature. The Simplify web page feature offers the user the ability to reduce the complexity of a reading passage without visual distractions. The quantity of sentences may be reduced to focus only on main ideas, and the user may increase the contrast for those who need visual support, while maintaining the context.
Module 18: Practice Reading Aloud
Module 18 guides participants on how to use the Practice Reading Aloud feature. This feature allows the user to record themselves reading text. This can be sent to their teacher or any email address. Many teachers use this when needing to listen to a student’s fluency level, or when a student may be practicing reading aloud for expression and inflection.
Module 19: Settings
Module 20: Help
Module 20 guides participants on how to use the Help feature. This feature directs the user to frequently asked questions that one may encounter when using the toolbar. It also contains information on other various platforms for Read&Write and other tools texthelp has developed.
Module 21: Texthelp
Module 21 guides participants on how to use the Texthelp feature. This feature accesses the texthelp main website. On the website, users can look through various products, find tutorials, and browse through various other options.
