Teaching Resources

Read&Write

Resource Overview

Guide to using Read&Write, an assistive technology that supports students in reading, writing, and studying

Read&Write is a literacy support tool and assistive technology that makes online content more accessible, readable, and inclusive. It includes a variety of tools that support students in reading texts, learning unfamiliar words, researching materials, and proofreading written work. 

Read&Write is new to our support portfolio, and there may be bugs as product improvements are made.

For more ideas and technical support, email us or schedule a consult with a CTL staff member.

Overview

Features

See this overview of tools on the Read&Write website for a full list, with video demos of the available tools.

Reasons to use Read&Write

Help students process and produce language in multiple ways using text-to-speech options for reading and talk&type (dictation) feature for writing. Students can pair these tools with other features that align with specific learning needs. 

  • Students with ADHD, language processing disorders, and visual impairments can simplify a page to help them remove distractions and use the screen masking tool to customize color, text, and other page elements. They can also process content via audio using the text-to-speech tools and audio maker that turns pages into mp3s.
  • English language learners can understand and engage with texts through features such as the translators, dictionaries with text or pictures, web search, and vocabulary list. They can also build proficiency in pronunciation of words with the text-to-speech and practice reading aloud features. 
  • Any student can take advantage of Read&Write tools to study, read, and write more effectively. They can use the highlighters to compile key points/quotes, text-to-speech to hear their paper out loud, as well as dictation and voice comments to review, summarize, and expand on ideas. 
Ideas for teaching with Read&Write

Easy

Medium

  • Demonstrate how to use specific features in Read&Write. Emphasize features that pertain to your discipline, such as practice reading aloud to learn pronunciation of vocabulary, screenshot reader to get text-to-speech support for labels on images/diagrams, or translator for multilingual articles and archives.  
  • Instead of typing, use Talk&Type feature to dictate text on a document, webpage, or text entry field. This could allow you to take notes, search, or write down key words from anywhere in the classroom. It also provides students with both audio and visual information about what you are typing. 

Advanced

  • Facilitate the development of outlines and paper drafts using the multiple highlighters and collect highlights tool. Students can use the highlighters to identify relevant text and collect these for the beginning of their outline or draft. They can further edit this draft as needed prior to submitting as an assignment. 
  • Use voice notes to get and answer student questions on assignments. Voice notes tend to provide more context as well as support more detailed feedback.
  • Combine Read&Write tools with OrbitNote, which facilitates interaction and collaboration on PDFs in Canvas.
References

Cohn, J. (2021). Skim, dive, surface: Teaching digital reading. West Virginia University Press. 

Tutorials

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Additional Resources

Resources for Learners

Read&Write for Windows

Rqead&Write for Google Chrome

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