Technology & Learning Connections

Tools

Tools to Support Reading and Comprehension

 

There are three categories of tools addressed in this module. As you work with your student you can note on the implementation form any tools that the student decides to use.

 

The categories of tools are:

 

Text-to-Speech - Struggling readers can have a hard time developing strong comprehension and analysis skills because their attention and energy is spent on decoding text. Providing tools to decode text, or in this case speak the text aloud, enables the students to focus on the actual content. Here are a few tools to explore.

 

Vocabulary - Sometimes students need to be able to quickly find out what a word means. Other times they may need the language altered or simplified to help clarify what the author is saying. Here are a few tools to explore.

  • Microsoft Word Dictionary - http://bit.ly/2wrNeUl - instructions on how to find the dictionary in Word.
  • Wonders of Word - a document with instructions on using many of the features in Word that can support reading.
  • Dictionary (Chrome Extension) - http://bit.ly/2rxHi6H - a dictionary for the Chrome web browser.
  • Dictionary.com - http://www.dictionary.com/ - an on-line dictionary.
  • Vocabulary.com - https://www.vocabulary.com/ - paste up to 100 pages of text and this tool will create a vocabulary list with definitions.
  • Vocabulary.com Dictionary - https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/ - on-line dictionary with audio output so students can hear the word they are looking up.
  • Shahi Visual Dictionary - http://blachan.com/shahi/ - a visual dictionary that includes Flickr images with the definitions.
  • ReWordify - https://rewordify.com/ - paste in a section of text or a URL for a web page and this tool will simplify the text vocabulary.
  • Read&Write (Chrome Extension) - http://bit.ly/2wqdn65 - a Chrome web browser extension that includes text to speech, highlighting tools, and dictionaries. There is a 30 day trial and afterwards the free version is limited to the text to speech tools. The full version is free for teachers.

 

Information Integration - Some students struggle with organizing information, sequencing events, making connections with background knowledge and new knowledge. There are two types of visual integration supports that this module addresses. The first is the use of some type of visual marker, such as highlighters (at least 4 colors), circling text, or comments. Here are a few tools to explore.

  • Liner - http://getliner.com/ - a highlighting extension that works in most major web browsers.
  • Weava Highlighting (Chrome Extension) - http://bit.ly/2K6kX7N - the free version provides up to 5 colors for highlighting and organizing information on web pages.
  • Wonders of Word - a document with instructions on using many of the features in Word that can support reading.
  • Reading & Study Digital Tools v.1 & Reading & Study Digital Tools v.2 - two documents with instructions on using many of the features in several common programs, such as Word and Adobe Acrobat. This includes highlighting and commenting tools.
  • Read&Write (Chrome Extension) - http://bit.ly/2wqdn65 - a Chrome web browser extension that includes text to speech, highlighting tools, and dictionaries. There is a 30 day trial and afterwards the free version is limited to the text to speech tools. The full version is free for teachers.

 

The second type of visual integration is the use of some type of graphic organizer like a concept map, mind map, or graphic chart. These tools help students work through the cognitive processes needed to integrate information and understand it. Here are a few tools to explore.

 

 

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