Tag Archives: reading

Converting Text to an MP3 File with Audio Maker in Read&Write for Google Chrome

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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. 

Screenshot of Creating Audio box that appears when the Audio Maker tool is selected

The Audio Maker tool of Read&Write for Google Chrome Creating Audio

Translate Single Words Using the Translate Tool in Read&Write for Google Chrome

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The Translator tool of Read&Write for Google Chrome uses Google Translate to provide the translation for a single word at a time in the language of your choice in a pop-up box. The icon on the Read&Write for Google Chrome toolbar will turn purple and have a dot under it when the tool is on. The translation can be read aloud by speech to text by selecting the triangle next to the translated word in the box. To choose the language, select the three vertical dots on the far right of the toolbar, and select “settings,” from the drop-down menu that appears. A menu will pop up. Select “speech,” on the left hand side of that menu and scroll down a little to see the, “Translation,” heading. Use the drop-down menu to select from the available languages. 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 translation tool will give learners quick, single word translations without having to leave Google Docs.

Screenshot of Translator tool showing the word Puzzle translated into Spanish

Translator Tool

Screenshot of Speech Settings of Read&Write for Google Chrome with Translation tool circled

Select a Translation Language in Read&Write for Google Chrome

Outlining Narrative Elements with a Mindmap Using Lucid

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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.

A screenshot of a digital mind map. A central node labeled "Main Idea" has three branches extending from it, each with sub-branches and icons. The branches appear to represent different aspects or categories related to the main idea. Text within the nodes is partially visible, suggesting brainstorming or idea development.

Mind map

Adding Textures to Text To Help Illustrate Meaning

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Textures can be added to the inside of text of specific words to help teach meaning. Providing a visualization of a word can help it stick with someone’s memory. Textures can be added using Word Art in Microsoft Word, Adobe Firefly, and/or the Text Effects feature of Adobe Creative Cloud Express which is available to all educators in Loudoun County Public Schools through LCPS Go. Below are some examples of verbs (core vocabulary words) illustrated with representative textures.

The word drink with the texture of flowing water The word eat made with the textures of different foods The word sleep made with the texture of pillows and beds

Syllable Support in Practice Words of Reading Coach in Immersive Reader

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Reading Coach is a feature of Immersive Reader by Microsoft. Reading Coach analyzes the audio of a learner reading a passage aloud and provides specific, personalized feedback to the individual including five target words to practice. The learner is then presented with words in isolation and invited to practice reading each word aloud. To help the individual learn how to decode the word, the learner has the option turn on syllable support which places bullets between the syllables. This can help the learner how to break a word into component parts.

A blue robot icon with the text that reads, "When you're ready, press the microphone and read the text aloud." The word enrichment is broken into syllables with a dot between each syllable. En dot rich dot ment. There are icons below the words for text to speech, syllable support, and image support. Centered at the bottom is green microphone icon

Example of Syllable Support

This video provides a quick demonstration of Reading Coach:

Selecting a Voice for Text to Speech in MackinVia

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MackinVia, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, provides ebooks with an option to have the text read aloud using text to speech with a variety of voice options. Listeners can choose which voice best matches their personal preference. MackinVia is available through LCPS Go and as an app in the Google Play Store on Chromebooks.

Screenshot of an ebook with 5 different voice options displayed.

Screenshot of an ebook in Mackinvia displaying 5 different voice options.

Adjusting Playback Speeds of Text to Speech in MackinVia

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MackinVia, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, provides ebooks with an option to adjust the playback speed. Listeners can adjust the speed to either slow down or speed up the playback based on their needs. MackinVia is available through LCPS Go and as an app in the Google Play Store on Chromebooks.

Screenshot of the Call of the Wild from MackinVia with the variable speed function displayed showing .25x, .5x, 1x, 1.25x, and 1.5x

Screenshot of a book in MackinVia showing the variable playback speed options.

Dual Highlighting of Text to Speech in MackinVia

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MackinVia, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, provides books with a built-in text to speech function which also features dual highlighting. This means the sentence being read aloud is highlighted yellow while the words being spoken are highlighted in grey. The dual highlighting invites learners to follow along with their eyes. MackinVia is available through LCPS Go and as an app in the Google Play Store on Chromebooks.

Screenshot of a page from Black Beauty in Mackinvia with the first sentence highlighted in yellow and specific words highlighted in grey.

Screenshot of dual highlighting in Mackinvia

Become Read&Write for Google Chrome Certified

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Texthelp, the company that produces the Read&Write for Google Chrome extension for literacy support, has created an online, self-paced learning experience called Read&Write for Education Academy to help anyone become familiar with the tool. Completing the course earns one a certification, a certificate, a badge, and tons of information on how better to use the product to design inclusive experiences.

Work alone or find some friends to work through it together! Either way, you can become Read&Write for Google Chrome certified! Read&Write for Google Chrome is currently available for anyone to use in LCPS.