Google Read and Write
Check out this reading aid from Google-
"Google Read and Write."
Read and Write for Google
R&W for Google is an extension for Google Chrome that is primarily a reading support, but also provides writing supports. There are two different versions of R&W for Google, a free version and a premium version. The Premium version is available for free for teachers to explore and costs $99 for a yearly subscription for student accounts.
Free: The free version provides text to speech and dual highlighting (yellow & blue) for any text on any website! (AWESOME!) It also provides an in the text translator.
Premium: The premium version provides the same text to speech, dual highlighting, and translator features. It also includes supports for Google Docs, specifically, multi-highlighting options for active reading, extracting highlights, a vocabulary chart, a regular and picture dictionary, and word prediction.
Limitations
Premium Version: $99 a year for students
➧ Premium version will read PDFs in Google Docs, not free version
➧ Premium version will read PDFs in Google Docs, not free version
Free version - limited options
➧ Text to speech ONLY READS TEXT (no flash
supported)
➧ Tools run on internet speed, causes a lag
for word prediction and text to speech.
➧ Word choices have to be clicked with a
mouse (no number hot keys or arrow down and enter to select)
➧ Limited voice speed options (only 4)
Conclusion
I would highly recommend the free version of Read and Write for Google to be downloaded on every computer so that ALL students can have access to speech to text while reading ANYTHING online (for pleasure or school assignments). If your school district works heavily with Google Docs I would also recommend the premium version to reinforce active reading and studying. But, take advantage of the FREE version for teachers and explore away! READ MORE ➤➤
Readability Consensus
Based on (7) readability formulas:
Grade Level: 12
Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old
(Twelfth graders)
