Google Chromebook Adaptability Features
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When reflecting on the adaptive needs of the diverse learners I've taught throughout the last decade, my students have fallen into several categories; some of these brackets include struggling readers, struggling writers, the hearing impaired, emotionally/behaviorally challenged, and the verbally challenged (and of course, students fit into multiple categories in some cases). Thankfully, no matter which setting I've taught in, one tool my students have always had access to was a Google Chromebook. In the next section, I will focus on five adaptive features that Google Chromebooks have for students with the challenges I listed above and describe each one.
Text-to-Speech
Google has two text-to-speech options. One is located second in the "Start" menu under "Accessibility." After clicking on "Accessibility," one would select "Select to Speak." Once this option is activated, the user would see a green check mark, and the feature would show as "On" at the bottom righthand section of the screen. This tool allows the user to highlight text individually and have it read out loud by holding down the search key (which looks like a magnifying glass). The student also has the option to change the voice tone in the advanced settings. The "Select to Speak" tool is shown on the "Accessibility" menu below.
Sowash, John R. “Chromebook Accessibility Features in the
Classroom.” Chromebook Classroom, 1 Mar. 2024,
https://www.chrmbook.com/chromebook-accessibility/,
Accessed 10 June 2024.
The next text-to-speech tool that Google Chrome offers is ChromeVox, which is listed first in the image above. What distinguishes ChromeVox from Select-to-Speak is that the former gives the student an overall description of the page they're viewing (for instance, how many items are in a text and how they should begin navigating it) and then allows the student the option to use a built-in screen reader or hear a description of highlighted text (for instance, ChromeVox might identify the first page of story as a "prologue" and the next section as an "introduction" before giving the reader the option to read). A good video that compares the features of Select-to-Speak and ChromeVox is featured below.
"Select to Speak vs ChromeVox in Chrome OS." YouTube, uploaded by
EdTechnologySpecialists ETS 2021,
www.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxDZxtAyRag.
Dictation
Another tool found in the "Accessibility" menu of Google Chromebooks is "Dictation." This feature allows students to speak what they intended to type and even add punctuation marks by saying, "Period" or "Comma." Dictation even allows commands such as copying and pasting or deleting sections of text.
Mono Audio
Chromebook's Mono Audio feature can be found under the "Accessibility" menu as well. This tool plays all content in stereo sound and helps those who may not hear the same in each ear; it works by playing the same sound in both speakers.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
ClassDojo
Although ClassDojo is not automatically installed on Google Chromebooks, it can be added using Google a Google Chrome browser. ClassDojo allows teachers to add classroom rosters and then award students points based on desired behavior. Unfortunately, points can be reduced for undesirable behavior too. ClassDojo also allows teachers to manage online activity, message students and communicate with parents. Students can also check their points, daily, weekly or even bi-weekly. A tutorial for setting up ClassDojo is featured below.
Picto4me
Picto4me is also application that is not automatically installed on Google Chromebooks. However, it can be accessed for free by signing up with a Google Account. From there, a variety of communication boards can be integrated into a Google Drive. One can choose from boards that are already created or templates to create their own boards. Picto4me also gives teachers the option to add audio to their images. These image boards are useful for students with limited speech or those expanding on their speech. A sample board is featured below. This one features commands in Portuguese, but these charts can be made in any language.
"Give voice to the special needs." picto4.me,
https://www.picto4.me/. Accessed 11 June 2024.
No matter which disability a student has, Google Chromebooks have tools and extensions that can help them learn in the mode that suits them. For more information on educational equity and Google assistive technology, visit the links below:
In the video below, Laura Palmaro, a Google employee, discusses her personal experience in the education system as a visually impaired woman.
In the video below, John Sowash discusses 4 essential adaptability tools equipped on Google Chromebooks.
Works Cited
“Give voice to the special needs.”
Picto4me, https://www.picto4me.
. Accessed 10 June 2024.
“How to Do Text to Speech on Chromebook [2024
Latest Ways].” Ease Us, 22 May 2024,
https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/how-
to-enable-the-accessibility-shortcut-in
chrome-os. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Sowash, John R. “Chromebook Accessibility Features in the
Classroom.” Chromebook Classroom, 1 Mar. 2024,
https://www.chrmbook.com/chromebook-accessibility/,
Accessed 10 June 2024.
“Tell Me And I’ll Forget.” Irish Primary Teacher, 22 Oct. 2014,
https://irishprimaryteacher90.wordpress.com/
2014/10/22/class-dojo-behaviour-management/.
Accessed 10 June 2024.
Thank you for sharing such great resources! Picto4me really stood out to me. I love the idea of students being able to access a communication board on the same device they are already using instead of having to handle another tool during the day.
ReplyDeleteYou have an interesting list hear of built in Chromebook features and stand alone programs that can be accessed on a Chromebook. It's important for readers to know that ClassDojo and Picto4me aren't built in and would need to have accounts created by adults before use.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clear and concise introduction to these accessibility tools and extensions. I hadn't realized that Class Dojo was available as an extension. I've only used it (as a parent) as a separate app. I like the idea of having it integrated so you can just go to one place. Picto4me also sounds like a great, easy-to-use tool.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteClassDojo sounds like an incredible extension. I think this is especially helpful for people who like to stay on top of everything and be organized. ClassDojo would be a great tool for small businesses to utilize as well. I could see sport groups like a dance academy using something like this. I say that because I use to work at one and I only used a few things like GoDaddy for emailing parents and other ballet dancers.