Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students and Special NeedsTechnology can be a powerful tool to assist students with special needs or any sort of learning challenge. In particular the Chrome web browser allows users to install a wide variety of web extensions that provide tools that can help all learners, regardless of ability level.
Chrome web extensions that can assist students in five main categories:
Text to Speech
Readability
Reading Comprehension
Focus
Navigation
TEXT TO SPEECH EXTENSIONS
1) Read&Write for Google Chrome Chrome web extension link The "Swiss Army Knife" of extensions with tools including word prediction, dictionary, picture dictionary, text to speech, screenshot reader, speech maker, screen mask, translator, highlighters, voice note, and more. Works on webpages, PDFs, Google Docs, and Google Slides.
2) Read Aloud Chrome web extension link This text-to-speech extension will read either the entire page or just the text that you have selected. In addition to the normal options to adjust the speed, pitch, and volume of the voice, the best feature is the wide collection of high-quality voices to choose from.
3) Voice Instead Chrome web extension link This is another good text-to-speech extension with high-quality voices. The only drawbacks are that you have to select the text you want read (rather than the entire page), and sometimes there can be odd pauses in the middle of a sentence.
4) Announcify Chrome web extension link This is another text to speech tool that not only reads a webpage, but also removes distracting elements from the site. The only drawback is the inability to select specific text to read, as the entire page is read aloud.
SPEECH TO TEXT EXTENSIONS
5) Voice In Voice Typing Chrome web extension link This speech-to-text extension allows the user to dictate text for any text box or text entry portion of a web page. You can either click the extension or right-click and choose "Start recording" to use it. Be sure to click the extension again to turn off the speech-to-text function when done.
READABILITY EXTENSIONS
6) OpenDyslexic Chrome web extension link Override all fonts on a webpage with the OpenDyslexic font, making the text more easily readable.