Supports for Reading
Some mobile devices have a feature that allow you to listen to text displayed on the screen. Whenever you need or want, choose to have text read aloud.
How to Use Spoken Content on an iOS Device
How To Use Select To Speak on an Android Device
Spoken Content Screen in iOS Accessibility
Technology can help educators and learners get and stay organized. Google Keep is both a desktop and mobile note taking application that works similarly to sticky notes which allows the user to add information in text, image, and audio formats. Once information is placed on a virtual sticky note, that note is placed on a giant virtual wall. Individuals can use the Search feature to filter notes placed on the wall. Notes can be labeled and organized into categories. Notes can even be organized by color. Each note can also be turned into a to do list which keeps track of what has been accomplished once it is completed.
Google Keep also allows users to create reminders which link to the same user’s Google Calendar to help keep track of scheduled events. Notes made in Google Keep can also be pulled into Google Docs. Students (and educators!) can use Google Keep to keep track of everything! Check out this video tutorial to learn more.
Screenshot of Google Keep with labels on the left, a to do list, and examples of notes.
Choice of font is an important factor in personalizing the learning experience. When reading text on paper, students are forced to access that text using the font that was predetermined by the publisher of that text. When text is made accessible, students can alter how the text is presented without changing any of the content. For example, two different students can experience the same content using different fonts. These preferences might help a student more easily access the text.
Some people with dyslexia have stated they prefer a font that is thicker on the bottom. Students (and educators!) can go to the Google Chrome Store to get the OpenDyslexic Font extension. Once added to Chrome, a user can select the icon in the extensions bar and toggle on the use of the OpenDyslexic font. For compatible websites, the text will convert from the default to the OpenDyslexic font. Any student in LCPS can be given the option to try this font to see if meshes with individual learner preferences.
Screenshot of the OpenDyslexic Font Extension
Two screenshots of the same block of text from the LCPS Pupil Services home page. The image on the left is the default text. The image on the right shows the same content using the OpenDyslexic font.
Video is a common modality for educators to share, teach, and reinforce concepts. Captions exist to help individuals with hearing impairments experience the audio portion of the content. Evidence suggests that turning the captions on for video content can also help students, with or without hearing impairments, improve reading abilities. Pairing text with audio and visual content helps reinforce the meanings of words while simultaneously representing how they are spelled.
Strategies can be used to encourage educators and parents to turn on the captions whenever students are experiencing video content. Consider crafting a “Captions On!” campaign for your learning space, grade level, or school promoting the idea that captions help improve literacy. Here are some potential action steps:
Adopting and practicing a “captions on” mentality will help improve individual literacy skills while simultaneously working toward building a more inclusive and accessible future for all.
Google Slide with captions on.
LCPS returned to 100% distance learning on December 15th, 2020. Just prior, educators at Algonkian Elementary School worked to ensure that students installed the literacy support extensions of Read&Write for Google Chrome, Texthelp PDF Reader, and Texthelp Screenshot Reader. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Instructional Facilitator for Technology, Specialized Instructional Facilitator – Assistive Technology, and the Specialized Instructional Facilitator – Reading, learners also participated in experiences where they practiced how to use the tools to support their own learning. These extensions are available to anyone in LCPS! Install and use them today!
Way to go Algonkian learners and educators!
Text to speech is a function of technology that allows users to hear accessible digital text. Learners can listen to content with a click of a button. Text to speech allows users to experience text with their ears in addition to their eyes, and provides a way to edit their own written work in a way that allows their ears to catch the mistakes their eyes miss. Text to speech allows users to learn words they might otherwise have trouble decoding and experience curricular content regardless of reading ability.
Text to speech is a feature of the Read&Write for Google Chrome extension available to any person in LCPS. Go to the Chrome Web Store and do a search for Read&Write for Google Chrome. Then press “Add to Chrome” to add the extension to your Chrome browser. A purple puzzle piece will appear to the right of the URL bar. Click on it and follow the onscreen instructions to enable the extension. Then, start exploring the toolbar including the text to speech tool.