Key points about the Read&Write text and speech feature:

• Text highlighting:

  As the text is read aloud, the words are highlighted on the screen to help users follow along visually. 

• Customization options:

  Users can usually adjust the reading speed, voice, and pitch to their preference. 

• Selection flexibility:

  You can choose to have a whole document, a selected paragraph, or even just a single word read aloud. 

• Accessibility tool:

  This feature is primarily designed to assist individuals with dyslexia, visual impairments, or other learning challenges who may benefit from listening to text instead of reading it. 

How it works 

• Enter text into the Rewordify tool

• Click Reword to see a simpler version of the text

• Click on the reworded words to see the original word

• Adjust the readability level to match your learning needs

Benefits 

• Helps users understand and express their understanding

• Helps users build vocabulary and improve fluency

• Helps users learn words and build a better vocabulary

• Helps users save time and produce engaging lessons

• Helps users improve learning outcomes

Availability

• Rewordify is only available for Read&Write for Google Chrome 

• Rewordify works on the web, including learning management systems like Canvas, Schoology, and D2L 

• Rewordify does not work in Google Docs 

How it works 

• Click the Talk&Type icon on the toolbar

• A red microphone will appear

• Speak aloud

• The words will appear on the screen

• To stop dictating, click the red microphone

Where it can be used Microsoft Word, Word Online, Outlook, Text boxes within web pages, and Learning Management Systems. 

How to use the Simplify feature

1. Open the Read&Write toolbar 

2. Click the Simplify button, which looks like four lines of decreasing size next to a downward-pointing arrow 

3. A new tab will open with the simplified version of the page 

What the Simplify feature does

• Uses a sans-serif font, in black text on a white background, single spaced by default 

• Allows you to change the color scheme, font, font size, or the line spacing 

• Allows you to summarize or shorten the text using the plus and minus buttons 

• Allows you to remove pictures by clicking on the minus button next to the word “simplify” 

Who might benefit from Simplify

Students with dyslexia or visual processing and/or attention difficulties may benefit from the Simplify feature. 

Additional Simplify features

• Simplify AI: Uses OpenAI to rewrite text using simpler words and sentence structure 

• Screen Mask: Helps students focus on the area of the screen they are working on 

• Picture Dictionary

Want a picture definition of a word in your reading? Use the Picture Dictionary tool to quickly view images of the word. Highlight the word you want to look up with your cursor. Click on the Picture Dictionary icon. A box will appear on your screen with images which can help you understand the word.