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"Creatability by Google Experiments" is a collection of accessible web-based tools designed to explore creative ways of making art, music, and storytelling through technology. These experiments use artificial intelligence and innovative interfaces to make creative expression more inclusive, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Tools include music-making with gestures, visual art generation through voice input, and interactive storytelling. Teachers can use these tools to inspire students in STEAM activities, foster creativity, and highlight the role of technology in breaking barriers. The website offers an engaging platform for students to experiment with new artistic and technological expression forms.

tag(s): Accessibility (11), artificial intelligence (189), creativity (87), disabilities (32), STEM (312)

Speechify uses AI to convert text to speech and works in many different formats, including web pages, PDF documents, Microsoft Word, emails, and texts. The free plan offers a choice of ten voices and allows you limited options for controlling text speed. Register to create an account; when you reach the page that asks for billing information, do not add this information. Here is how you can get the site for free. Without clicking the page closed, return to the home page by opening a new window and clicking on "Speechify" in the title of this review. On the right, you will see a link go to web app materialize; click that, and your account dashboard will appear. Follow the directions to select a document or web page. After the information loads, click play on any text portion to listen. Options on the left side of the page allow you to change voices, adjust the speed, and change options for the page's appearance, including highlighting, scrolling, and dark mode.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), listening (92), text to speech (19)

Reading Coach uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help students improve reading fluency and comprehension through personalized practice. It incentivizes learners to earn achievements and unlock new story elements through enhanced reading skills. Multilingual support is included in over 100 languages. View Reading Coach by scrolling down the page to find Get started, enter as Individual learners, Student/Educator, or IT Administrator. For a quick preview, choose the Individual learners option. Begin by selecting from the options to create a story using AI, read a passage from the library, or add a passage of your own. Options in the resource library allow you to select passages from eight levels, including beginning readers through readers comfortable with complex text. After allowing microphone access, readers read aloud for up to ten minutes, then stop to get feedback and suggested practice steps. Results provide feedback on pronunciation accuracy, reading time, and words to practice.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), fluency (30), literacy (122), multilingual (78), reading comprehension (152), reading strategies (98), Teacher Utilities (201)

This article shares many accessibility features added to Book Creator, reviewed here that offers options that make it easier for all students to access and use Book Creator. Highlights include dictation support for over 120 languages, video captions, and transcripts to audio recordings. Other additions include features that improve color contrast to make reading more accessible for all and screen reader support. Learn more about how this supports educators by watching the included video that shares the updated features and has suggestions for differentiating lessons using Book Creator.

tag(s): Accessibility (11), differentiation (86), ebooks (47), professional development (395), Special Needs (52)

What if you could magically create rubrics, quizzes, and scaffold assignments? MagicSchool does it for you...and more! Create an account at MagicSchool to view the dozens of tools and generators available using AI (artificial intelligence). After selecting a tool, use the included options to define terms such as grade level, text levels, or topics for your needs. Many tools also have opportunities to refine the results, including translation to several languages and length of response. Tool Count: The platform now offers over 100 AI tools for educators and over 60 tools for students, reflecting its continuous expansion. Don't miss MagicSchool's Magic Student--AI Literacy for Students--which teaches students to use AI responsibly and unlocks learning opportunities not possible without generative AI. MagicSchool also offers Raina, an education chatbot that answers school-related questions such as teaching ideas, research on pedagogy, and behavior management strategies. MagicSchool's database is trained on best practices for educators, is FERPA compliant, and declines non-educational requests. When using AI generation tools, always check the results for accuracy before using them. The free portion on MagicSchool is quite robust with: 70+ standards-based, time-saving AI tools for educators, Raina, 40+ educator-monitored tools for students that build AI literacy and skills, AI Slides generation with Presentation Generator exportable to Google Slides, and AI image generation for educators and students powered by Adobe.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), chat (41), multilingual (78), quiz (66), quizzes (90), rubrics (36), Special Needs (52), Teacher Utilities (201), vocabulary (242)

Headliner converts audio podcasts into YouTube videos and automatically transcribes the video's audio into captions. Register for an account to begin using Headliner, then choose from options that include manual and automatic audiograms, transcribe audio or video, caption a video, or use the advanced editor. Headliner also offers several templates, or you can upload your own. After choosing, follow the steps to select an aspect ratio, upload your video file, select a transcription language, and edit the portion of the video to transcribe. When ready, click to create your project and add additional items such as background audio, additional text or media, and more. To finish your project, choose to export your work and leave the tab open as your video generates. When complete, choose from several options to download your video, share to social media sites, or share using the URL of your project. Free accounts allow up to five projects monthly without watermarks, unlimited watermarked applications, and the ability to export videos in 1080p.

tag(s): multilingual (78), podcasts (117), text to speech (19), video (267)

Improve reading and comprehension skills for all students and adults with this BeeLine Reader Collection on Literacy Central. Find over 100 passages from stories as downloadable PDFs, all using BeeLine Reader technology to highlight and wrap text to improve focusing and tracking while reading. Use the leveled reading passages within Reading is Fundamental for multiple grade levels and books. Find additional support materials for each book, including author interviews, lesson plans, crosswords, and word searches all as downloadable PDFs. Though Beeline Reader is not usually a free tool, Literacy Central is providing it to its members for free through these PDFs. You do not need to create a free membership to use these materials, only to save them as a favorite. Learn more about the Beeline Reader tool and how it improves reading comprehension by watching the YouTube video introduction on this page.
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tag(s): independent reading (82), multilingual (78), reading comprehension (152), reading strategies (98), Special Needs (52), Teacher Utilities (201)

Immersive Reader is a free Microsoft Learning Tool available for use with several Microsoft products including OneNote, Word, Outlook, and Edge. Immersive Reader dictates text and offers several options for personalization. Use the options to adjust the playback speed, highlight text during the audio reading, and adjust text size and spacing. Click on any word in your reading material to listen to the pronunciation. Additional options allow you to view words divided into syllables, use labels to color-code words by parts of speech, and increase the spacing between lines and letters. Use the line focus feature to highlight only small portions of text. Turn on the dictionary option to select words and view drawings representing the meanings. This tool is a wonderful resource for your special needs students and struggling readers!

tag(s): adhd (27), differentiation (86), disabilities (32), dyslexia (11), Microsoft (79), multilingual (78), reading comprehension (152), Special Needs (52), text to speech (19)

ResponsiveVoice (formerly known as Text2VoiceOver) is a user-friendly tool that allows you to add voiceovers to any YouTube video or video file from your computer using over 15 different voices and 13 languages. To get started, click "Create VoiceOver," upload or link your video, choose the point where the voiceover begins, then type your script and select a voice and language. The platform guides you through the process to preview and generate your voiceover. A tutorial video is available to help, but note that if your district blocks YouTube, the tutorial may not be viewable.
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tag(s): communication (130), text to speech (19), video (267)

NaturalReader is a text-to-speech program that offers many language and voice options. To access the free version, choose the personal use link to use NaturalReader online. Choose from hundreds of voice options, including the ability to clone your voice and record it in many languages (free registration is required for the cloning feature). Add documents, copy and paste text, add scanned photos or screenshots, or listen to the contents of webpages. Once your text is ready, choose a voice and select play to begin listening. Additional features allow users to highlight areas of text and add notes. Use NaturalReader's filters to personalize areas to skip, such as text in brackets or URL text. When ready to share, download it as an MP3 file to your device or share it using the link in your history.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), DAT device agnostic tool (146), dyslexia (11), learning disability (21), learning styles (17), listening (92), Special Needs (52), text to speech (19), writers workshop (31)

This site allows FREE access to a number of books, newspapers, and magazines, all using adaptive technology. After a free registration (available to participants with documented limited vision), members can download books, textbooks, and newspapers in a compressed, encrypted file. They then read the material using adaptive technology, typically software that reads the book aloud (text-to-speech) and/or displays the text of the book on a computer screen, or Braille access devices, such as refreshable Braille displays. The advantage to this site is that it offers newer books and other written materials than many other online digital libraries. Besides written items, a number of videos are available which assist or focus on typical Bookshare users, many featuring them as success stories. A special page of information for teachers with limited vision students includes information such as other resources, reading lists, and handouts.

tag(s): digital reading (18), disabilities (32), vision (42)

Read about how Microsoft products are designed for people of all abilities and includes Built-in Accessibility Features to assist with vision, hearing, and mobility challenges.

tag(s): Microsoft (79)