Speak It: A Chrome extension, highlight text in a webpage or Google Form, right click and select “Speak it”!.These apps can also help students get accustomed to hearing a computer voice, similar to what is used on state testing. In addition to supporting daily learning needs, text to speech apps can provide the needed testing accommodations of having questions read that many students require. Text to speech apps can benefit ELL students, students with learning disabilities, visual impairments, cognitive disabilities, and reading difficulties. Text to speech apps meet a variety of needs for many learners. According to research colored overlays “reduce the symptoms of visual stress and increase reading fluency in about 20% of school children. Supports students with dyslexia or other visual/perceptual problem. Readability Extension Link – this extension is discussed in detail under reading comprehension supportsīackground Color Changes – provides a color tint with a choice of colors – cream, pink, pale blue and pale green – over the entire webpage. Options to choose a male or female voice. Text To Speech – Highlight a portion of text before selecting the Text-to-Speech button to have only that text read. Supports students with reading disabilities and struggling writers. Spell Checker – supports spelling needs to improve accessibility for writing tasksĪItype Word Prediction plugin – a web search word prediction program that offers student the ability to finish words or have new ones predicted. Provides definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and parts of speech
Webpage Font – allows the user to choose a different type of font for the text and increase line spacingĭictionary – gives support for reading and writing tasks. Magnification – support for students with vision challenges This Toolbar provides all of the following supports: All of the tools included in the toolbar are useful for students with literacy and vision needs.
This is the only free word prediction program for Chrome that I have found. The AItype Word Prediction plugin included in the toolbar is not available apart from the toolbar. Some of the extensions on the toolbar are also available apart from it. This extension is a valuable set of tools to assist students struggling with various learning tasks.
To install any of the free Chrome extensions and apps mentioned in the blog:
I will also provide the links so you can view and download any tools you want to use for yourself and your students. There are numerous free apps available in chrome to provide for the three UDL principles, so in part 2 of my blog I will focus on some of my favorite Chrome Apps and Extension that provide for multiple means of representation. Multiple means of engagementto tap into learners’ interests, challenge them appropriately, and motivate them to learn.Multiple means of expressionto provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know.Multiple means of representationto give learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge.
UDL uses three principles that focus on eliminating barriers to learning.
In Part 1 of this blog, I described the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework as an instructional design in which all students have “access” to learning. We must infuse technology into our educational design. We must recognize and utilize the multiple learning pathways it offers. To get the best end result from the technology afforded us, we must harness its power for reducing learning barriers. The end result is a product of the way it is utilized. Likewise, educational technology finds its real power in the hands of the educators who use it. I’ll leave the use of power tools in his capable hands. My husband has a power saw in our garage, but my use of it would no doubt produce frightening results. And the power of any tool lies in the hands of its user. However, as I stated previously, technology is just that – a tool. As a teacher, I can certainly appreciate the power of technology as a learning tool. In my previous blog, I discussed how the advent of Chromebooks is changing the face of education in Greater Clark for both students and teachers. Guest Blogger Susan Botts is back! Check out her first post to read her bio.