Read&Write

https://swlsb.ca/news/readwrite-training-2024-2025
(Posted on our home page: https://swlsb.ca/)

We are onboarding staff with Read&Write training.

Training Plan for 2024-25

October 18: Assistive Technology (AT) Support for Learners with Diverse Needs (All Staff)
Sign up: https://swlsb.ca/pd

November 20: Community of Lead Practitioners (CLPs) & Information Resources (IR) Staff
Note: Each school has 1-3 Lead Teachers or CLPs
Sign up: https://swlsb.ca/pd

November 25: Pedagogical Services Department (PSD) – Head Office Staff

December 4: Pedagogical Services Department (PSD) – In-School Professionals

January 6: Leveraging Assistive Technology and Artificial Intelligence for Diverse Needs (All Staff)
Sign up: https://swlsb.ca/pd

Many students & parents attended our Assitive Tech PD sessions - some did not.

September 30, October 1 & 2 (3 Nights): Students & Parents – Training sessions for students that received new computers
Info: https://swlsb.ca/at30810

Your EdTech consultants are also on the road, providing in-school support based on demand and school requests.

We’ve also created valuable resources to support your use of Assistive Technology. Check them out here: https://edtech.swlsb.ca/at/readwrite.

Ron Turchyniak & Tim Foreman

• Click here to Explore Read&Write and OrbitNote

• Read&Write Feature Tour

Over 30+ Videos to learn about Read&Write for Google Chrome - YouTube

Read&Write for Education How-to Articles - Quick Tips !

• OrbitNote Quick Reference Guide (Each Button is described) - 3 Page PDF

• Explore OrbitNote

• OrbitNote in Five

• TextHelp OrbitNote Demo

• OrbitNote Training Guide

• https://academy.texthelp.com/orbitnote/highlighting/

• https://academy.texthelp.com/orbitnote/howtos/

• Google Classroom & OrbitNote + PDF

• Google Drive & OrbitNote + PDF

In OrbitNote, select the Screenshot Reader button, then choose a region, and it will read the text within that area.
https://orbit.texthelp.com/ - OrbitNote Dashboard

Read&Write for Google Chrome learning resources

https://academy.texthelp.com/read-and-write-education/learning-resources/google-chrome-rw/

Examples

Activity sheet for beginners

This activity sheet walks beginners through using 3 basic tools for writing - Text-to-Speech, Talk&Type, and Word Prediction for students who will be using Graphic Organizers to organize information.  Adapted from Sandra Oliver and Minda Cabral,  West Costa County Unified School District, CA.

• Getting Started Using Read&Write for Google Chrome for Student Writing

Student practice exercises for all grades

This worksheet walks students through specific exercises to help learn and practice with 13 tools from the Google Docs toolbar in Read&Write for Google Chrome.  This can be used for most grade levels. Created and contributed by Cassie Frost, Stevens Point Area SD, WI

• Student Practice Exercises for using Read&Write for Google Docs Tools

Practice exercises for middle and high school students

This version of practice exercises for learning 13 tools was created especially with middle and high school students in mind.  Adapted by Toni Petersen and Tiz Lambert from Lyons Township High School District, IL.  

• Practice Exercises for Middle/High Schoolers using Read&Write for Google Chrome

Using Read&Write for high school students

This lesson shows how Text-to-Speech, highlighters, and the dictionary tool can all be used to analyze text for specific and varying higher level tasks with an example from the 11th Grade Smarter Balanced Assessment Practice test. Created and contributed by Nora Trentacoste, Regional Director - West, Texthelp Inc.

• The Science of Meditation - Using Read&Write tools for High School Practice

Read&Write scavenger hunt

This is a creative way to get students to try various tools in different environments and can be adapted for most grade levels.  This is being provided to give you an idea of how you can do a Scavenger Hunt with Google Docs, Chrome Web, and PDF documents.  You are encouraged to make your own using this idea. Adapted from Stephanie Howell, IT Coordinator, Pickerington SD, OH

• Scavenger Hunt - Using the Read&Write for Google Chrome Tools

Using Read&Write in a reading & comprehension lesson

This well thought out lesson uses a short story and a poem to have students practice with the Text-to-Speech, Talk&Type, Word Prediction, Dictionary, Picture Dictionary, Highlighters, and Vocabulary List tools to help students read, respond, learn new words and identify rhyming patterns.   Adapted from Elizabeth Whistance-Smith, Toronto, Canada.

• Reading Comprehension Lesson using Read&Write for Google Chrome 

Ways to use

Productivity boost

This document demonstrates three different and productive ways that the Picture Dictionary can be used to enhance organization, behavior prompts and writing a social story.  Created and contributed by Cassie Frost, Stevens Point Area SD, WI.

• Three Productive Ways to Use the Picture Dictionary - K12 Schools

This document takes an in-depth look from installation to usage, benefits and possible uses for grades 2-12 and all types of learners in an easy to read and use format. Created and contributed by Bentonville Schools ATeam, AR.

• Increasing Productivity & Efficiency with Reading & Writing Features - K12 Schools

Study & research skills

This document thoroughly presents potential obstacles to successful studying such as concentration, listening, note taking, and test taking.  Practical  solution suggestions using Read&Write tools are made for these areas of concern. Created and contributed by the Bentonville Schools ATeam, AR.

• Study Skills Solutions using Read&Write Chart - K12 Schools

This worksheet walks students through choosing a research topic and gaining deeper understanding of the topic through using several Read&Write tools. Adapted from Alison Kinahan, Ottawa Catholic School Board, Ontario, CA

• Building Research Skills using the Read&Write for Google Chrome Tools - Schools

Specific school programs

This resource contains a chart of support for LEP/ELL/ESOL, Dual Language, Special Education, AVID, and Parent Involvement for various needs of each group.  It presents the tools most helpful to each group including an explanation of how students can be supported.

• Read&Write Supports Specific School Programs - Schools

Writing process

Various Read&Write tools help students during pre-writing, drafting and editing. This self-reflective checklist asks students to record which tools they used for each stage and which tools they found to be most helpful.  Based on student response, teachers can make suggestions and give feedback.

• Writing Process Checklist using Read&Write Tools for Schools K-8

Categorizing

This tip sheet gives suggestions for how best to use your highlighters in Read&Write for Google Chrome in a K-12 education environment and gives examples of  specific color-coding systems based on need.  

• Read&Write - Using the Highlighting Tools with Purpose to Categorize - Schools K12

This tip sheet gives suggestions for how best to use your highlighters in Read&Write for Google Chrome in a university setting and gives examples of  specific color-coding systems based on need. 

• Read&Write - Using the Highlighter Tools to Categorize & Collect - University

Vocabulary lists

This tip sheet gives suggestions on ways to modify and customize the Vocabulary List which is built in Read&Write for Google Chrome.  By renaming the column categories and even adding columns for additional categories, you can create a personalized table with the information you most need to learn.

• Vocabulary List Modifications for Higher Ed - University

This tip sheet gives suggestions on ways to modify and customize the Vocabulary List which is built in Read&Write for Google Chrome.  By removing definitions, renaming the column categories and even adding columns for additional categories, you can modify the information so your students will better be able to learn what is needed.

• Vocabulary List Modifications for K12 - Schools

For deaf & hard-of-hearing and blind & low vision users

This is a quick guide to which tools would be useful for those with hearing and vision loss.

• Read&Write quick reference guide for hearing and vision loss

Start your Read&Write for Education journey !

https://academy.texthelp.com/read-and-write-education/using-multiple-languages/

• Windows

• Mac

• iPad (iOS)

• Chrome & Chromebooks (Phase 1: Launch Oct 25, 2024)

• Edge

• Android

• Read&Write also integrates with both Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365.

We will let everyone know how to obtain the following versions as they are configured & ready to use.

Feel free to install Read&Write for Chrome (Available as of Oct 25, 2024)

• Read&Write for Chrome & Chromebooks ,  Screenshot Reader , OrbitNote

These 3 extensions will replace: WordQ for Chrome/Chromebooks

We are working on adding Read&Write for Windows to the "Software Center" (November 20, 2024)

This is version is like WordQ5 for Windows & can also be used on your school computer !

• It will require the Support for Read&Write Desktop Extension to work in Chrome.
  This extension allows Read&Write for Windows and Mac to work inside of Google Chrome.
  The helper extension will help Read&Write in places like Google Docs, Word Online, Learning Management Systems, websites and more. 

• Support for Read&Write Desktop overview Video (1 min)

Home Computer Installation (ONLY CLICK ON THESE TO DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL THE SOFTWARE)

NB: If you click on the links that say "Download" it will start downloading without a prompt !

• Read&Write for Windows Download & Support for Read&Write Desktop Extension

• Read&Write for Mac Download & Support for Read&Write Desktop Extension

• Read&Write for iPad

• Read&Write for Android

We are working on adding Read&Write for the Edge Browser (November 20, 2024)

• Read&Write for Microsoft Edge ,  Screenshot Reader for Edge & OrbitNote for Edge

You can activate the TextHelp software listed above with either your Google (swlsb.ca) or Microsoft (swlauriersb.qc.ca) account.

Exceptions

• Read&Write for Chrome/Chromebooks, Screenshot Reader for Chrome & OrbitNote for Chrome  - Activation with your Google Account (swlsb.ca)

• Read&Write from the Software Centre - No Activation required when installed from the Windows Software Center

All of the Downloads listed above were from: https://support.texthelp.com/help/readwrite-software-downloads

• Using Read&Write for iPad (8 min Video)

• Read&Write on an iPad - Help & Tips

• Read&Write for iOS - How to Use the Writing App (4 min Video)

• Read&Write for iOS Quick Reference Guide  

Support tools for students with dyslexia

Students with dyslexia have learning differences which can be supported with a variety of appropriate technological support tools improving  their overall performance.  Read&Write for Google Chrome tools allow students with dyslexia to be equal participants in learning experiences.

• Read&Write for Google Chrome Support Tools for Students with Dyslexia