Supports for Research & Studying
In Microsoft To-Do, add reminders to a task to get alerts as the due date approaches. This feature is perfect for managing everything from daily errands to long-term projects, helping users stay organized and complete tasks on time. The Add due dates and reminder in Microsoft To Do website provides step-by-step instructions for how to get started.
Set reminders and due dates in Microsoft To Do
A To Do List is a strategy that can help learners organize tasks. Microsoft To Do is a tool available to anyone in LCPS that invites users to create and manage all tasks in one place. Users can work through tasks for the day in the My Day panel and create any number of additional lists to organize assignments, projects, or anything! The Welcome to Microsoft To Do website provides support to learn how to get started. The following video also provides an overview to the Microsoft To Do. Add exploring these resources to your To Do List!
Read&Write for Google Chrome, a literacy support extension available to anyone in LCPS, has been updated to include an array of new voices from which learners can choose. Invite learners to explore the new voices to choose the one that works best for them in any given situation. Educators can literally support student Voice and Choice! The new voices can be found by opening the toolbar and selecting Settings then Speech.
Read&Write for Google Chrome Speech Options
Users can then choose Change voice to explore the various voices.
Read&Write for Google Chrome Change Voice Menu
Use the black arrow to listen to a sample and then select the voice itself to make a selection. Whether listening to text written by someone else or editing their own work, each learner can choose what works best for them.
Learners can listen to learn by using turning text into an audio file. The Audio Maker tool in Read&Write for Google Chrome creates a speech to text MP3 file using text in a Google Doc or on a website. That file can then be played just like music or an audiobook. Click and drag to highlight the text to be turned into the MP3 file. Click the Audio Maker icon to create the file. A box will appear with a progress bar to show when the file is finished. To access the file, select the recent downloads button in the upper right hand corner of the browser window. The MP3 file can then be shared via Google Drive and listened to on any device where Google Drive is available. At the time of this blog post’s publication, Read&Write for Google Chrome is available to every student and teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools.
The Audio Maker tool of Read&Write for Google Chrome Creating Audio
One strategy to organize elements of a traditional outline is mind mapping. Starting with a central idea, such as a core theme or main character, a mind map demonstrates connections by branching out in different directions. Each branch can represent a character arc, a plot point, setting details, or any aspect of a related detail to create a visualization demonstrating relationships among narrative elements.
Whether outlining a novel, screenplay, or even a short story, this approach lets you see the big picture while zooming in on intricate narrative threads. By the end, the mind map not only serves as a roadmap for the writing journey but also as a visual storyboard that captures the essence of the narrative vision. Lucid is one tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools that can be used to create mind maps. Lucid provides templates to get you started, like this one titled Sample Mind Map.
Mind map
Creating a visual representation to compare attributes can significantly enhance the clarity and understanding of complex information. Canva is one tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools which invites users to design a two-set Venn diagram that effectively illustrates similarities and differences between two categories. With Canva, customize colors, add text labels, and adjust sizes to ensure your diagram matches your specific needs. Whether you’re a learner preparing a research project or a professional delivering a presentation, leveraging Canva’s tools for Venn diagrams can elevate your ability to communicate complex comparisons effectively. To learn more, visit Canva’s webpage on creating Venn Diagrams.
Originally designed as a tool to enhance understanding of vocabulary, the Frayer Model encourages learners to delve deeply into words by defining them, providing examples and non-examples, and connecting them to their own experiences in a consistently organized way. Lucid is one example of a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools that can be used to create a document where learners can interact with the Frayer Model. These documents can be used individually or collaboratively to explore vocabulary and define concepts.
Frayer Model Template Made Using Lucid
The video titled How To Use the Frayer Model by TeachLikeThis provides a description of the Frayer Model.
Use the search feature of this blog located to find information in the backlog of content. If you’re looking for specific topics or articles, the search function is your gateway to a wealth of information tailored to your interests. The search feature is located in the top right corner of any blog post. Enter keywords related to the content you’d like to explore, and you’ll find a curated list of posts, insights, and educational insights meant to help create more inclusive experiences for all learners. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or other member of the community interested in inclusive design, this feature ensures you’re just a search away from enhancing your knowledge and skills.
Here are some potential keywords to start your search: accessibility, universal design, language, literacy, word prediction, Immersive Reader, and communication. Don’t let those samples limit you! What are you curious about right now? What’s a problem or challenge you’re facing? Enter in any thing you’re curious about to explore the results to find something useful from the archives. Happy searching!
#GoOpenVA is a resource from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It provides open source materials that can be used by any educator. One of the providers of resources is Khan Academy, which provides over 3450 pre-made lessons and accessible materials on a wide variety of topics.
A Screenshot of a Khan Academy lesson made in conjunction with Pixar Studios on Coordinate Planes.
Britannica School, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, provides resources with a built-in text to speech function which highlights the sentence being read aloud. The highlighting invites learners to follow along with their eyes to track the content. Text to speech is accessed by pressing the play icon located in different locations based on which level (elementary, middle, or high) is being used. Britannica School is available through LCPS Go.
