A recent update to Read&Write for Google Chrome has brought with it a new, highly requested feature! The Talk&Type button is a shortcut to activating the Voice Typing feature of Google Docs. Prior to this update, this feature only worked in the Speaker Notes section of a Google Slides presentation. Users needed to turn on the Enable Dictation feature in the Accessibility settings of Chrome to dictate directly into a slide. Now, users can use the Talk&Type button in Read&Write for Google Chrome when using Google Slides to use speech to text, essentially cutting down on navigation and providing a consistent experience between applications. This new feature provides learners with yet another option for how to compose text to show what they know! Watch this short tutorial titled Read&Write in Google Slides Speech to Text Update to see how it works.
Tag Archives: speech-to-text
3 Ways to Access Voice Typing on a Chromebook
Introducing typing/writing options to students gives them the flexibility to choose which modality works best for them. One option that is readily available throughout the Google Suite, Schoology, and built into Chromebooks is Voice Typing. It is also commonly referred to as Speech to Text, Speak to Type, or Voice Dictation. There are multiple ways to access this feature in the Google Suite.
- Dictation Accessibility Feature – Turn on the built-in accessibility feature called Dictation on a Chromebook. This allows a user to use Voice Typing in virtually any digital environment. Watch this video to learn more and/or use the following directions:
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- Go to Chromebook Settings
- Type “Accessibility” into the search field
- Select “Manage Accessibility features”
- Scroll down to the “Keyboard and Text Input” section
- Click “Enable Dictation (speak to type)”
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A microphone icon will appear at the bottom of the screen to use in Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Chrome, Schoology, and more!
2. Tools Menu or Keyboard Shortcut in Google Docs –
In Google Docs, under the Tools menu, select “Voice Typing” or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+S. A microphone icon will appear on the screen to turn on and off the voice typing feature.
Voice Typing Icon
3. Read&Write for Google Chrome – Install the Read&Write for Google Chrome extension. Selecting the headphone icon instantly activates Voice Typing in the Google Suite and for web browsing.
Read&Write for Google Chrome Speech Input icon
Read&Write for Google Chrome Logo
Compose Writing With One’s Voice
Speech-to-text can help people produce text without the use of a keyboard. Learners can compose text without the need of fully-developed spelling or typing abilities. Voice Typing is a feature built into Google Docs which allows a user to create text with one’s voice. Read&Write for Google Chrome also has a speech input function which allows users to add text to notes of Google Slides and directly into the chat of a Google Meet.