Tag Archives: editing

New Text to Speech Voices in Read&Write for Google Chrome

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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. 

The image shows the Settings menu for the Read&Write software. The menu is divided into two columns. The left column lists the following sections: Profiles, General, Speech, Prediction, Check It, Screen Masking, Talk&Type, Rewordify, Language, Features, Accounts, and About. The right column displays the settings for the "Speech" section, which include options for Voice, Speed, Reading, Speak As I Type, and Translation. The "texthelp" logo is located at the bottom left corner of the menu.

Read&Write for Google Chrome Speech Options

Users can then choose Change voice to explore the various voices. 

This image shows the "Speech" settings menu within the Read&Write software. The menu is divided into two columns. The left column lists various setting categories including "Profiles," "General," "Speech," "Prediction," "Check It," "Screen Masking," "Talk&Type," "Rewordify," "Language," "Features," "Accounts," and "About."The right column displays the "Speech" settings with the following options: Select voice: A search bar to find voices. Filter options: Radio buttons to filter voices by "All," "Offline," and "AI enhanced." Voice list: A list of available voices with checkmarks to indicate selection and play buttons to preview the voice. Voices listed include various English options with some marked as "Offline." The "texthelp" logo is located in the bottom left corner of the menu.

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.

Hovering Over Suggestions to Have Them Read Aloud Using the Check It Feature of Read&Write for Google Chrome

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The Check It feature of Read&Write for Google Chrome extension checks writing for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and common word confusion errors. When activated, it will create a purple underline under potential errors. This works in addition to built-in spell checking or grammar checking software in the word processing software, appearing above or below any underlines that software may generate. It will also generate a list of suggested corrections. These corrections can be read out loud by Read&Write for Google Chrome if the user turns on the “Read Check It suggestions on hover” option in settings.

On the far right of the Read&Write for Google Chrome toolbar, select the 3 horizontal dots and then select, “Settings.” On the left side of the menu that opens, select “Check It.” Then check the box next to, “Read Check It suggestions on hover.” 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. This feature could be added to an editing process to improve writing.

Read&Write for Google Chrome settings screenshot displaying the Read Check It suggestions on hover checkbox in the Check It tab

Read Check It suggestions on hover

Checking for Errors Using the Check It Tool

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The Check It feature of Read&Write for Google Chrome extension checks writing for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and common word confusion errors. When activated, it will create a purple underline under potential errors. This works in addition to built-in spell checking or grammar checking software in the word processing software, appearing above or below any underlines that software may generate.

The Check It tool will be a black check mark inside of a black circle on the Read&Write for Google Chrome toolbar. Select this icon to turn the tool on. The check mark and circle will turn purple, and a dot will appear under it. The document will automatically be checked for errors. Select the icon again to turn off the tool. 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. Learners could use this tool as an additional support during the editing process. The video titled Read&Write for Google Chrome – Check It Overview describes how to use this feature of the toolbar.

 

Learners at Algonkian Elementary Install Literacy Support Extensions

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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!

Learners in a classroom behind Chromebooks giving a thumbs up

Learners in a classroom behind Chromebooks giving a thumbs up

Text to Speech & The Purple Puzzle Piece

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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.