

It also can make tone and synonym recommendations. Users can customize it to read single characters one at a time or an entire word when it is finished being typed.Įditor (Microsoft): In addition to general spelling and grammar checking, Microsoft 365 offers support with writing clarity and conciseness. Typing Feedback (Apple): Located in the speech accessibility features, this tool enables the device to read aloud each word typed by the user. These features can provide extra guidance for writers when working in a remote setting, helping not only to craft and correct text but also to edit and revise.


Writing supports are built-in features that can help improve a student’s writing, typically by catching spelling and grammar mistakes.
Voice dictation software for students to tape teachers series#
Once activated and enabled, Dictation allows users to type with their voice and offers a series of commands for navigating through and editing text. It also has a series of commands that can be used to control the cursor and edit the text, so a user can type without needing to use the keyboard.ĭictation (Microsoft): Microsoft 365 applications include dictation, a built-in voice typing tool. Voice Control (Apple): When activated, Voice Control allows the user to dictate text into a device. When it’s activated, a student speaks and the computer transcribes their voice, inserting the transcribed text wherever the cursor is placed on the screen. These tools are great for supporting students as they write during assignments and classwork.ĭictation (Chromebook): While the Google for Education apps have a variety of voice typing features, Chromebook also has dictation (“type text with your voice”). Speech-to-text assistive technology allows the user to speak aloud and have the computer capture their words as text. When using Safari on an iPhone or iPad, reader view can also be enabled to eliminate distractions on a webpage. The highlight style can be customized, as well as the reading speed. It also has the option to highlight content, both words and sentences. Speak Screen (Apple devices): Available in the accessibility settings, Speak Screen allows the user to swipe to hear the text on the screen. When activated, it features several customization options, including font color and size, background color, a picture dictionary, and translations. Immersive Reader (Microsoft): An addition to reading the text aloud, Immersive Reader uses syllabication for support in decoding, color codes parts of speech, and offers more spacing between words and letters as it reads. The pitch, rate, and volume can be customized. Other features include the capacity to highlight each word as it is read and shading the background behind the text. Select-to-speak (Chromebook): When this is activated, students can select a line of text or drag their cursor around a larger portion of text to have it read aloud. Text-to-speech assistive technology tools allow for digital texts to be read aloud these features can support students independently reading while working on their devices. The following list includes popular accommodations and the Apple (iOS), Chrome, and Microsoft accessibility features that support them. Note as well that these universal supports aren’t just for students with disabilities and learning differences-they can be helpful to any student as a support in distance learning. Many commonly used devices and software applications already have built-in features that students can use to mitigate any number of challenges, from dyslexia to hearing impairment-it’s just a matter of knowing which product offers what accessibility feature and how you and your students can make use of them. In districts where students are not using 1:1 devices, teachers should know what features are available via different devices and programs in order to advise their students about what best fits their needs and circumstances. Among the many challenges of remote instruction is the lack of access some students have to supports they previously received in school, particularly accessibility tools and features that help them to overcome a variety of barriers.
