Our latest thoughts from the world of technology in education & the workplace

Texthelp Blog - Our latest thoughts from the world of technology in education & the workplace

Blog

The reality is that effective practice looks the same with and without technology - it’s focused on sound pedagogy, and clear outcomes for learners. Tools and technology should be there to augment good teaching, create methods for deepening learning and understanding and be able to scaffold and support learners right where and when they need it.

If we are to aim for effective practice, we should be careful in selecting our technology tool kit, because in the case of EAL students, we need to ensure that those tools are available right in the heart of learning. They should embrace all subjects and be available across every platform. Why? Because we want pupils to be supported whenever, wherever and however they are learning. 

In choosing effective technology tools upon which to build good practice for EAL pupils, there are four key areas to consider. First, ensure the tool helps with language in context. Simple support tools like dictionaries, and even more so picture dictionaries as we have in Read&Write, give support instantly and deliver context. Second, technology should provide independence. If we are to support EAL pupils we need to create a stress-free environment for learning. Tools that are there and can be used when needed help provide this. In the case of Read&Write, we have a simple toolbar that a pupil can use at anytime with freedom to select what helps them most - creating a personalised tool just for their needs. Third, consider tools that have inbuilt translation facilities - many of these are inbuilt to devices and web services. Whilst not ‘bulletproof’, used with care, they provide a valuable help mechanism that builds vocabulary and context. Fourth, ensure the technology at its heart supports building vocabulary.

Taking these four considerations, we can select the best choice of tools which should naturally then be able to underpin effective practice. Simple things like spell check and prediction while writing shouldn’t be underestimated. Text to speech in particular helps students read and understand above their reading level - whilst also improving confidence, endurance and pronunciation. 

Take something like word clouds from wordle.net - a simple tool, but powerful and effective for our EAL pupils. Use it to create vocabulary references ahead of a piece of work; have pupils use it to analyse their own written work; use it for revision or even to draw opinions on genre and style of written work. Simple yet effective.

Use of podcasts, recordings or providing oral feedback is an effective way to easily integrate audio into t&l. Youtube is an incredible resource for video material to stimulate discussion around understanding, build vocabulary and create opportunities for writing stimulae. 

Once these basics are understood, it becomes easier to build on these concepts and approaches to use technology even further. If you’re using video, try something like Edpuzzle or Videonot.es to stretch activities and deepen engagement and thinking. Consider iMovie or Wevideo to build creativity on top of simple writing frames.     

Effective practice with technology is the same for EAL pupils as for any other pupil, we just need to be careful to select and use tools that support those specific areas of language development. 

So, where do you begin? As an educator, follow our ‘BASIC’ guide: Build Independence. Allow Freedom. Start small. Identify the tech. Create Opportunity. From there you’ll see opportunities for technology, as will your pupils.

Technology should be there to enable, encourage, scaffold and support every learner. Chosen carefully and with a clear view on pupil outcomes, effective practice should be evident in our pupils' progression. 

Give it a start with our own Read&Write - one toolbar, supporting EAL pupils across many of the areas we’ve written about. It’s free for teachers, so you’ve no excuse not to get started today and on your way to effective practice with technology!

Supporting EAL pupils with technology

English as an additional language learners are an increasingly significant part of our classrooms. So too, of course, is technology.  

The question then is how do we marry the two and ensure we deliver effective practice with technology? How do we select tools and develop strategies for EAL pupils?

Typically,math equations areadded to the web in the form of an inaccessible image, which cannot be read by screen readers unless it has Alt-Text included. And even then, the Alt-Text is often built with LaTeX, which read aloud, doesn’t really sound like math at all. Imagine hearing this version of the Quadratic Equation read aloud:

With the introduction of MathML and MathJax, two math languages designed for the web, it has become easier for screen readers to read math aloud. But, a lot of websites haven’t converted their math into those languages or still insert inaccessible graphics because it’s less time consuming than learning math writing "shortcuts" like this one:

With the need to ensure all students can access content on the web without barriers, it is important that these inaccessible equations be made accessible. That’s where EquatIO’s Screenshot Reader comes in.

With the Screenshot Reader, a premium feature of EquatIO for Google, EquatIO for Windows, and EquatIO for Mac, you can now turn any equation on the web into accessible, editable math.

Here’s how it works. When you're on a web page that has an inaccessible equation, like the Quadratic Equation Wikipedia page for example, click on the EquatIO Chrome Extension to open up the Screenshot Reader floating toolbar or click the Screenshot Reader button on the EquatIO for Windows/Mac toolbar.

Take a screenshot of the inaccessible equation to convert it into accessible math, which will automatically be read aloud. Once converted, you can also copy the MathML or LaTeX versions of the equation, which can then be pasted directly into the EquatIO equation editor for edits or insertion into your document.

You can even use the Screenshot Reader when you’re in Google Workspace for Education Apps or Microsoft Office applications, including PDFs. Simply look for the Screenshot Reader button in the toolbar, and follow the above instructions.Making math accessible has never been easier!

Watch this demo video to see the Screenshot Reader in action.

EquatIO® for Google: How to use Screenshot Reader

Looking for more tips on how to use EquatIO and all its features in the classroom? Check out Ben Rouse's pre-recorded webinar series on how to make maths (or math) digital in your classroom. Ben is a renowned educator and technology specialist who now works as a Google for Education trainer with AppsEvents. So, he knows what he's talking about! Access the series right here.

How to Make Math Accessible on the Web

With all the latest assistive technology today, the World Wide Web is becoming increasingly accessible for all users. Particularly when it comes to individuals with visual impairments or learning disabilities like dyslexia or dyscalculia, there are a handful of resources available for them to use to have the text read aloud, including built-in tools like Browsealoud and universal screen readers like Read&Write.

When it comes to math, however, there are added challenges to accessibility.

That’s right, the popular LMS just received a math makeover thanks to EquatIO for Canvas, an easy-to-use plugin that lets teachers and students use EquatIO directly within Canvas when on the Chrome browser.

Available with an Unlimited License of EquatIO, users can now take advantage of the same equation editor they use in Google Workspace for Education Apps or Microsoft Word to create digital STEM content within Canvas. All EquatIO inputs, including Prediction, Handwriting Recognition, Speech, Desmos Graphing, and LaTeX are supported, bringing the benefits of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) directly into the Canvas environment.

Plus, for all those Read&Write and accessibility fans out there, Read&Write for Google Chrome can read any math or STEM content built in Canvas with EquatIO. So, students that prefer to hear problems read aloud, can do so without leaving Canvas.

Reading EquatIO® Math with Read&Write

If you’d like to try out the integration for yourself, we’ve set up an EquatIO Demo Course in Canvas for you to explore. Use this link to enroll in the course.

As you’ll see, because EquatIO integrates with Canvas’ Rich Content Editor, you can use EquatIO in all course activities supported in the LMS, including Assignments, Discussions, Announcements and Quizzes.

The Quizzes integration is particularly helpful when combined with Canvas’ SpeedGrader. Now, the entire process of giving a digital math quiz can be streamlined within Canvas. From the creation, to the taking of the quiz, to the grading, it’s now easier than ever to assess students’ understanding of math concepts.

If you are interested in getting EquatIO for Canvas for your school or district, please contact us and one of our Texthelp representatives will be happy to chat!

If your school, college or district uses the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), you won’t want to miss this latest update from EquatIO!

EquatIO is Crazy for Canvas!

As Richard Branson says: “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients."

Taking this a step further, researchers at Harvard have found that, if employees in an organisation have more negative perceptions of their organisation at one point in time, the bottom line of the company is likely to be weaker in the future. 

So, if it is people that makes the difference between business success and failure,  those people need to be different from those that your competitors have - right?

Those people need to have unique talents and skill sets. We, as business leaders, need to harness those talents, and optimise what they can deliver into our business, making us different and better than our competitors.

If you were pulling together your ‘dream team’ to innovate on a new product or service, what talents would you look for?

seeing things from a different perspective?

You’d probably want all of these talents in your ‘dream team’ - but where would you find this level of talent’?  The answer is not where, but how - by looking to neurodiversity. 

I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals and organisations who are embracing neurodivergent talent. Neurodivergent staff bring a different perspective and a different set of skills to your workplace.  Neurodivergent staff are extremely valuable within an organisation because such employees have unique skill sets and strengths.

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for a group of hidden disabilities and neurodifferences.  A non-exhaustive list might include dyslexia, autism, Asperger’s, dyspraxia, ADHD and others. The most common of these is dyslexia, which affects around 10% of people in the UK. 

We’re seeing increasing numbers of organisations all around the world creating competitive advantage by harnessing the power of neurodiversity

For example, GCHQ (MI5) actively seek to recruit spies and codebreakers who have  dyslexia and similar neurodivergent conditions. They recognise that the dyslexic brain has a unique ability to solve complex problems and see situations from a different perspective.  It has been proven that this group can spot patterns others do not see.

The BBC has realised that individuals with autism can make excellent software and technology developers. The ability of deep concentration, fine detail processing and extraordinary attention to detail makes people with autism ideal candidates for these roles. (Creating A Positive Environment project)

Neurodivergent individuals are often drawn to specific sectors such as blue light services, engineering, IT, architecture and the health sector, for example, also nursing and caring professions. Indeed the Royal College of Nursing recognised recently that as many as 14% of student nurses have dyslexia. The Blue light services is another sector with a high occurrence of neurodiversity. 

Approximately 13,000 graduates each year have dyslexia, so that means that you’ll almost certainly already have some neurodivergent staff on your payroll (Prof Peter D Pumphrey FBPsS, 2006/7). 

We design our organisations for neurotypical people, measure everyone against standard performance measures. But as business leaders, we need to think differently about “different thinking” because neurodiversity can transform the fortunes of organisations.

We live in an increasingly diverse society and successful businesses are ones which recognise this and reflect the diversity of the public they serve, in the staff they employ.

Looking outside of our workforce, these talented people also become our customers, suppliers and competitors –  something to consider  if we are to truly achieve business success.

Festival of Workplace Inclusion 2023

A Guide: Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Reading & Writing Tools for the Workplace

Neurodiversity - Opening the doors to competitive advantage

Many of the world’s most successful business people will tell you that the difference between success and failure in business comes down to your staff.

When you first log-in to EquatIO mathspace, you will automatically be sent to your personal EquatIO dashboard, which houses all of your EquatIO mathspaces. For a quick introduction to the EquatIO mathspace dashboard, watch this video from John McGowan, Product Manager.

As John speaks to in the above video, the latest update to the EquatIO mathspace lets teachers create assignments for their students, keep track of responses, and provide instant feedback.

When you’ve created an EquatIO mathspace, just click on the blue Share button in the top right corner of your EquatIO mathspace, and you’ll see a pop-up that asks you to select your sharing type. Choose “Make a copy for each person and expect a response back.” This will generate a link that you can share directly with your students or via Google Classroom.

Once your students have completed the assignment, they can click on the blue Send button to share their response with you. You will receive a Chrome notification that a new response has been submitted, which can be easily viewed under the Assignments tab in your EquatIO dashboard.

As Grant Wiggins writes in Seven Keys to Effective Feedback, “As educators, we should work overtime to figure out ways to ensure that students get more timely feedback and opportunities to use it while the attempt and effects are still fresh in their minds.” Thanks to the immediate sharing between student and teacher, EquatIO mathspace is the ideal platform to provide timely feedback to your students.

When you open a student’s response, you’ll notice that there is now a slider at the top right of the EquatIO mathspace that says “Feedback View”. When toggled on, you can provide feedback directly within your student’s response, without messing up their work. As soon as you’ve provided your feedback, you can send it back to the individual student through the Share button.

But the feedback doesn’t (and shouldn’t) end there. As Wiggins continues to explain, “Formative assessment, consisting of lots of feedback and opportunities to use that feedback, enhances performance and achievement.”

Therefore, once the student receives your feedback on their EquatIO mathspace response, they can toggle on and off your feedback in order to continue working on the problem, while taking into consideration the feedback they’ve been given.

From there, they can send their updated response back to you, and the feedback loop continues.

To see the whole thing in action, check out our How-To Video:

EquatIO® mathspace: Assignments & Teacher Feedback

Start making formative assessments with EquatIO mathspace today

From now until mid-April, the new Assignments and Teacher Feedback features in EquatIO mathspace are free for all users to try out. After that, your students will need to be premium users in order to respond to assignments with rich math input tools, and submit to you for feedback. As free users, they can continue making and sharing their own EquatIO mathspaces, as well as view those sent to them. Click here to learn more about our free and premium features.

Because EquatIO mathspace is part of our EquatIO offering, which is FREE for teachers, educators can get all of these features free, forever. If you have not yet identified yourself as a teacher, head over to our Free for Teacher sign-up form to get set up.

Once you’ve done that, simply visit equatio.texthelp.com on your Chrome browser to get started. Just be sure to login with the same email address that you used in the Free for Teacher form to ensure you are given the correct access.

Have you checked out EquatIO mathspace lately? What started out as a digital whiteboard that could be passed back and forth between teachers and students has become a full-fledged assignment-giving, feedback-providing, formative assessment tool.

EquatIO mathspace - now a formative assessment tool

How, you may ask? Keep reading to find out!

For premium users, Read&Write will now support over 60 additional languages for single word translation, including Arabic, Dutch, and dozens more!

Several of the new languages will also support text-to-speech, meaning that the translation will be read aloud in the native language. To know if a language is supported, simply look for a play button in the translation window.

To view what new languages are available, click the Translation dropdown menu under Speech options.

You can now use Talk&Type in the notes area of Google Slides! Great for anyone who needs to include presentation notes or draft a speech, Talk&Type can now be accessed directly from the Read&Write toolbar in Google Slides.

In addition to the new features mentioned above, this update also includes behind-the-scenes enhancements that will improve the quality of the text-to-speech while using it on the web or in Google Docs. We hope you will notice an improved experience while using Read&Write.

PDF Reader now Integrated with Google Classroom

While we’re on the subject of updates, we would also like to share a recent improvement that we made to Texthelp’s PDF Reader: Google Classroom is now integrated directly in the PDF Reader for teachers and students! 

This means teachers can assign PDFs to students via Google Classroom directly from the PDF Reader. Students can then use annotations and other tools to complete their work and submit it via a newly added “Turn It In” button.

To use Google Classroom in the PDF Reader, both teachers and students will need to already be using Google Classroom, and they will need to check off the “Classroom Integration” box located in the Options tab (access the Options by right clicking the PDF Reader extension icon in Chrome - see image below).

Check out the video below to see how it works. 

Read&Write for Google Chrome™ - Google Classroom Integration

As always, these updates are the results of requests and feedback we’ve received from our 13+ million users all over the world. So, give them a try and let us know what you think. 

A new update for Read&Write for Google Chrome will be making its way out to users this week. The update will include additional translation languages, Talk&Type for Google Slides, PDF Reader integration with Google Classroom, and more.

New year, new features for Read&Write for Google Chrome

A new update for Read&Write for Google Chrome will be making its way out to users this week. The update will include additional translation languages, Talk&Type for Google Slides, PDF Reader integration with Google Classroom, and more. Keep reading for the details...

Blog

Supporting EAL pupils with technology

How to Make Math Accessible on the Web

EquatIO is Crazy for Canvas!

Neurodiversity - Opening the doors to competitive advantage

EquatIO mathspace - now a formative assessment tool

New year, new features for Read&Write for Google Chrome

Categories

Education

Solutions

Products

Workplace

Solutions

Products

Resources

Resource center

Events

Learn & Support

Company