Literacy Support with Google Chrome

Information on getting started for students and their parents

(Note: this document accompanies the Literacy with Google! presentation for the Montreal Centre for Learning Disabilities, April 26 ^th , 2015)

By: A ndrea @ ino v8 - ed.com

What’s Google Chrome?

Chrome is a web browser (actually now the world’s most popular!) There are a number of ways to personalize Chrome for the user, such as adding apps and extensions. So on that note…

What do extension s and app s do ?

Extensi ons and ap ps personalize and individualize the browser , and the reading and writing environment for a student. For example, students can add apps to read the text on the screen if that’s what’s needed . Or, students can add apps that allows for mapping out ideas prior to writing.

What is Google Drive?

*Important information about Google Drive

You must have a Google account (a unified sign -in system to Google) to access Google Drive. To open a Google account, you must be 13 years of age or older. More inf ormation on age requirements: http://bit.ly/1yEYGY2

Google Drive is like a filing cabinet for your documents- but instead of it being on your computer, it exists on the web, or “ in the cloud .” It can be accessed anytime and anywhere from different devices, and a student’s documents, personal apps and extensions are always available. In addition, there are multiple collaborative features on Google Drive (students can collaboratively write on a document in real time!)

inov8 Educational Consulting www.inov8 - ed.com 877 - 93 - INOV8 / 514 - 600 - 0303 info@inov8 - ed.com

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Google Drive is free and individuals with personal accounts (school accou nts are different) receive 15 GB of free cloud storage.

How to download Drive to your Mac or PC:

https://support.go ogle.com/drive/answer/2374989?hl=en

How to dowload to iOS:

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2497973?hl=en

How to download to Android:

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/1688488?hl=en

Why use Google Chrome (and Google Drive) for increased access and to support literacy?

1. Its free . Many apps and extensions are free or lower - cost as well. Traditionally, assistive technology has been quite expensive; tools that are now accessible over the web are more affordable and are proving to be just as effective.

2. The technology follows the student, not the other way around . Bec ause Chrome (and Google Drive) is cl oud - based, students can log in and have their assistive tools available to them anytime, anywhere.

3. Simplicity of use. Apps are stand - alone tools that are often quite simple to use .

4. They are increasingly universal and inclusive . Many classrooms are u sing Google apps, so students who need literacy support do not stand out in any way- as in the past. Many schools are migrating towards cloud- based services; increasingly the entire class has access to assistive apps.

inov8 Educational Consulting www.inov8 - ed.com 877 - 93 - INOV8 / 514 - 600 - 0303 info@inov8 - ed.com

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Getting started with apps and exten sions

We aren’t big fans of enormous lists of apps as we all tend to get o verwhelmed…so here are five u s ef u l apps for accessibility that we have tested and use on a regular basis (ie. they work!)

Read&Write for Google- This Chrome app is baed on an effectiv e literacy support software called Read&Write GOLD. It offers a wide- range of options for reading and writing support, such as word prediction, text – to- speech, and dictation. It stands out for its notetaking and annotation features (the ability to take no tes on top of the text). http://bit.ly/1bdWfkJ

WordQ CA II- This is another Chrome app that is based on an assistive software. It features both reading and writing mode, and has customizable text - to- speech options. http://bit.ly/1JTmmJ4

Google Keep - This is a simple and free Chrome app that allows students to create and save notes, lists, and photos. It’s a great app for organization for projects, or to keep track of homework. http://bit.ly/1HEEI1q

Voice Note II Speech to text - An easy to use, free speech recogntion (dictation) Chrome extension that can be used to dictate short sentences, and paragraphs. This type of tool can be used to practice dictation. http://bit.ly/1ztUyEY

Connected Mind -A bra instorming and mindmapping Chrome app that can be used as a pre - writing t ool or as a plan for a project. http://bit.ly/1JTmubw

inov8 Educational Consulting www.inov8 - ed.com 877 - 93 - INOV8 / 514 - 600 - 0303 info@inov8 - ed.com

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