As we keep an eye on emerging technology tools that support our students, some stand out as universally designed, powerful and - the magic word - FREE. The Read&Write for Google Toolbar provides free, high quality text to speech. While there are other features included with the toolbar with a paid subscription, the text to speech feature is both free and priceless.
In MCPS we have been training on the toolbar for close to two years. There is no doubt that the word is out: students who struggle to decode, students who prefer to listen as they read, and students who want to extend their reach to text beyond their decoding ability but not beyond their comprehension level, all now have the option to integrate text to speech as they read. It is a true example of the UDL mantra: “Essential for some, good for all.” By empowering all students to learn about, and choose which reading method works best for them, we provide essential tools for some students while realizing unexpected benefits for others.
When students get the “Read&Write for Google” extension in the Chrome store they all have access to the “read” feature right away. As with many tools there is an option to pay for more features which offer expanded reading and writing supports. While there are many tools and websites that offer text to speech we are finding the Read and Write toolbar offers “one stop shopping” as this Chrome-based tool works both in Google Docs and Websites. Importantly, it highlights text as it reads, thus facilitating students to engage in the reading process instead of just listening.
For more information on the READ AND WRITE FOR GOOGLE TOOLBAR click the link below
www.texthelp.com/en-us/products/read-and-write-family