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Extra! Extra!

Read all APP’bout it!

Cori Jacomme & Susan Bycoff

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How Important is Reading by Decoding?

When we consider all the technological advances…

cc

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How Important is Reading by Decoding?

Very!

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There are many ways to read.

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For struggling readers, the problem arises…

...as curriculum shifts from learning to read to reading to learn.

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Read Aloud

Under the Umbrella of Assistive Technology

Text to Speech

TTS

Speak

Accessibility

Digital Read Aloud

Assistive Tech

Speech

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The Umbrella is changing...

Think LEARNING TOOL!

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Read Aloud Scenarios

HW Directions:

“Once you have written your answers, have an adult read them aloud to you to see if they make sense.”

HW Directions:

“Once you have written your answers, use Text to Speech to listen to your work to see if it makes sense.”

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Read Aloud Options

  • Text to Speech...Speak command on the iPad/iPhone
  • Read & Write for Google
  • Learning Ally
  • Bookshare/Read2Go App
  • Subtext
  • Voice Dream Reader
  • iReadWrite
  • VBooks PDF Audio Reader
  • Foxit PDF Reader

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Read Aloud Voices

Human

Computer

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Basic SPEAK Command

On your iPad or iPhone (at least an iPad2)

Go to:

Settings AccessibilitySpeech

When you select text, a SPEAK command will appear along with Cut, Copy and Paste

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Text to Speech on Word

  • Version-specific
  • Use Help or Google (Speak, TTS)

Speak Selected Text

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Read & Write for Google

This free extension reads Google web, docs, & emails. NOT: sheets, slides.

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Read & Write for Google

The best way to download this is to Google it and follow prompts. You must be using Chrome to use this extension. The icon will appear in the far right of your search bar. Click to view the tool bar.

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Text Samples

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Free vs. Premium

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Freebie - Read & Write for Google

  • Teachers can get a FREE premium subscription to Read & Write for Google.

  • Install the Read & Write for Google trial first,

then Click here to register & activate your FREE subscription.

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Pleasure Reading...

...The Great Motivator!

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Learning Ally*

*Membership requires certification of a print disability.

  • For use on Desktop or iPad
  • Yearly fee of $119
  • Human Voices
  • Learning Ally Website

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Bookshare*

*Membership requires certification of a print disability.

  • A FREE online libary for people with print disabilities
  • Text-to-speech voices
  • Read/Create digital braille or enlarged fonts
  • Currently used often by students on IEPs in Medfield

Bookshare Website

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Read2Go App

  • Browse and search Bookshare’s entire collection
  • Store books on the Read2Go bookshelf
  • Connect via bluetooth to specific braille displays
  • Read books multi-modally (see and hear words)
  • Allows for downloading of images

Read2Go Website

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Subtext

Free features: Read and Collaborate

  • read, annotate, create quizzes, write blog posts, create discussion groups
  • upload books: any ePub or PDF, premium/free ebooks, Subtext collections
  • Articles: over 200 curated nonfiction and informational texts sorted by topic and reading level

Premium Level: Instruct and Monitor

  • ~$3/student (in 10-packs)
  • text-to-speech
  • Track progress
  • bank of assignments connected with texts (linked to CC)

Student view of Subtext Welcome to Subtext

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Voice Dream Reader App

  • Read PDF, ePub, DAISY, Word, and Text files in Dropbox, Google Drive or on your device.
  • Listen to audiobooks in DAISY or ZIP format.
  • Read web pages, or Pocket or Instapaper reading list
  • Download books from Gutenberg and Bookshare.
  • $9.99

Voice Dream Website

YouTube Voice Dream Reader Link

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VBookz PDF Audio Reader

  • Reads PDFs
  • Free version will read 1st page only
  • Need to upgrade for full capabilities ($4.99)

VBookz Audio Reader Website

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Foxit Reader for PDFs

  • Reads PDFs
  • Free download
  • For use on PC or desktop

Foxit Reader Website

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What’s next?...Writing!

  • Editing (e.g. word prediction, T-to-S editing, etc)
    • Co-writer
    • VoiceDream Writer - for editing
    • Read&Write for Google
  • S-to-T
    • Apps:
      • Dragon Dictation, Evernote, Voice Assistant
    • Chrome extensions:
      • Simple Dictation, Voice Recognition, VoiceNote II

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Upcoming Webinars