Kids Got Chromebooks?? They Might Also Need Read&Write for Google!
Chromebooks are everywhere in schools! Students use them to read assignments, complete worksheets, write responses, and access classroom materials. But simply giving a student a Chromebook doesn’t necessarily give them the tools they need to use it successfully.
For students with Williams syndrome (WS), that’s an important distinction.
Many students with WS experience challenges with reading, spelling, working memory, and visual-spatial processing. These can make computer-based assignments unnecessarily difficult, even when students understand the academic content.
One tool I frequently recommend is Read&Write for Google Chrome (RWFG), an assistive technology extension from Everway (formerly Texthelp).
Your School May Already Have It!
Many districts that provide Chromebooks already have subscriptions to Read&Write. Your child may simply need the extension activated through their school account!
Here’s the important part: Students need access to the premium version to use the full collection of tools described below. The free version offers limited functionality, primarily text-to-speech. Having the extension installed does not necessarily mean the premium tools are available.
Ask your school’s technology department whether the district has a subscription and whether your child’s account has full access.
Word Prediction: One of My Favorite Features!
As students type, RWFG suggests words based on the letters they’ve entered and the context of their writing. Students can select the word they want rather than having to spell it entirely on their own.
This reduces the demands of spelling and keyboarding, allowing students to focus more attention on expressing their ideas.
And unlike speech-to-text, word prediction still requires students to think about sounds, letters, and spelling patterns.
A note about voice typing: I generally recommend delaying routine use of speech-to-text until students have a solid foundation in phonics and encoding (spelling). Writing words reinforces the sound-letter connections necessary for reading. Dictating everything can eliminate important opportunities to practice those skills.
There are exceptions when the goal is demonstrating knowledge rather than practicing writing. The key is matching the tool to the instructional objective.
Text-to-Speech: Access to Academic Content
RWFG can read digital text aloud while highlighting the words being spoken.
A student who is still developing decoding skills can listen to a grade-level science or social studies assignment and participate in learning the same concepts as classmates.
Text-to-speech is also helpful for proofreading. Listening to their own writing can help students identify missing words and awkward sentences.
PDF Reader: Worksheets Without the Barriers
Schools distribute enormous amounts of material as PDFs. Read&Write’s PDF reading features, and Everway’s companion OrbitNote tools, can help students listen to text, highlight information, and interact with digital worksheets.
For students with WS who struggle with handwriting or visual organization, these tools can reduce barriers unrelated to what the assignment is actually measuring.
Text Simplification: Access Without Lowering Expectations
RWFG includes tools that can simplify selected text, making complex passages more accessible to students who are still developing their reading skills.
This can help students access academic information without abandoning important concepts or vocabulary.
Remember, though: Simplifying text should never mean eliminating challenging content or replacing systematic reading instruction.
Vocabulary: Building Meaning and Understanding
The Vocabulary List feature allows students and teachers to select important words and create lists with definitions and visual supports.
These lists can be used to preteach vocabulary, build background knowledge, and revisit important concepts.
For students with WS, connecting words with meaning and prior knowledge is particularly important.
Make It Work for YOUR Child!
Activating the premium version is only the beginning. Take time to customize it!
- Simplify the toolbar. Remove tools your child doesn’t need so the menu isn’t visually overwhelming.
- Change the reading voice and speed to something comfortable and understandable.
- Increase the font size of word prediction suggestions. The default is quite small (often around 10-point). Try 16–18 points and adjust as needed.
- Customize word prediction settings, including the number of suggestions displayed.
- Teach each tool explicitly. Model its use, practice together, and gradually reduce assistance.
Students don’t need every tool. They need the right tools, configured to support their learning.
The Bottom Line
A Chromebook is a device. Read&Write can help turn it into a meaningful learning tool.
Assistive technology should help students access academic content, demonstrate what they know, and develop greater independence. It should never become an excuse to stop teaching reading and writing.
Ask your child’s school whether the premium version of Read&Write is available, get it activated, and make sure someone helps customize it for your child.
Sometimes the difference between having technology and actually benefiting from it is simply turning on the right tools!
Learn more: https://www.everway.com/products/read-and-write/