Text-to-Speech Tools
The full version of Read&Write is available for all current Conestoga students and employees to download using the links above.
Choose the Microsoft Account option when logging in and use your Conestoga email and password.
Features:
- Features include text-to-speech, speech-to-text, highlighters, and summary tools.
- Provides personalized support tools to help with reading, writing, and researching.
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Chrome extension
Cost: Free.
OrbitNote
Hear PDFs read aloud & more
Features:
- Have PDFs read aloud and customize the voice & reading speed.
- Highlight and extract information with coloured highlighters.
- Type text on top of your PDFs or use freehand & shape drawing to scribble and draw on your digital documents.
- Add text and voice comments or use pushpins for helpful hints or instructions.
- Collaborate on documents in real time.
Compatibility: Google Chrome extension
Cost: Free. Choose the Microsoft Account option when logging in and use your Conestoga email and password.
Microsoft Edge: Read Aloud
Listen to text in the Edge browser
Features:
- Step away from the screen as you listen to content while performing other tasks or improve your reading comprehension by hearing content at your own pace, in your desired language.
- Available in a variety of natural-sounding voices and accents.
- Reads both web pages and PDFs.
Compatibility: Edge Browser
Cost: Free
Watch How to Use the Read-aloud Function in Microsoft EdgeVideo source: Richard Byrne. (2019, July 29). How to Use the Read-aloud Function in Microsoft Edge [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRQ_p6Kt7fE&t=24s
Adobe: Read Out Loud
Listen to PDFs in Adobe
Features:
- Hear PDFs read aloud in Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat.
- Adjust the volume, pitch, voice, and words per minute.
- Listen on the go on any device.
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone
Cost: Free.
Watch Reading Aloud PDFs | Acrobat DC for Educators (2 mins) on YouTubeVideo source: Adobe for Education. (2020, September 11). Reading aloud with Acrobat [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/qXJlazKGTuo
Android: Select to Speak
Select & listen to text on an Android
Features:
- Select items on your screen and hear them read or described aloud.
Compatibility: Android
Cost: Free
Watch How to Turn On Text To Speech Read Aloud on Android/Samsung - 2022 (5 mins) on YouTubeVideo source: ITJungles. (2022, June 28). How to turn on text to speech read aloud on Android/Samsung - 2022 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Ka5AdeLt43o
Apple: Speak Screen
Listen to text on an iPhone or iPad
Features:
- Hear the screen, selected text, and typing feedback.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Watch How to use Speak Screen on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (1 min) on YouTubeVideo source: Apple Support. (2022, July 21). How to use Speak Screen on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/tBfcPu61nSI
Chromebook: Select-to-Speak
Hear text read aloud on a Chromebook
Features:
- Hear parts of a page, including specific words, read aloud with Select-to-Speak.
Compatibility: Chromebook
Cost: Free
Watch How to use Select-to-Speak on your Chromebook (5 mins)Video source: Chromebook. (2019, June 21). How to use Select-to-Speak on your Chromebook [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/_gz4lXWDzTQ
Speechify
Text-to-speech extension & mobile app
Features:
- Natural sounding voices to listen to your articles, PDFs, physical books
- Mobile app allows you to scan physical book pages with your camera and Speechify will read you the content
Compatibility: iOS, Chrome, Web, Android, Mobile Safari Extension. Your library of audiobooks will sync across all your devices.
Cost: Free and premium accounts.
Natural Reader
Reader with natural-sounding voices
Features:
- Text-to-speech to read webpages, documents, eBooks, and emails aloud
Compatibility: Windows, Mac desktop software, iOS and Android app
Cost: Free and paid versions available
Voice Dream Reader
Mobile text-to-speech app
Features:
- Mobile text-to-speech app. Reads webpages, documents, PDFs, and eBooks.
- Tools include bookmarking, text highlighting and annotation, full text search, and dictionary
Compatibility: iOS, Android app
Cost: $20.99 (iOS); $13.99 (Android)
Other Reading Tools
Immersive Reader
Reading comprehension & learning tool
Features:
- Tools that read text out loud, break it into syllables, and increase spacing between lines and letters.
- Improves comprehension, encourages independent reading, and is simple to use.
Compatibility: OneNote, Word, Outlook, Microsoft Edge, Teams, and Office Lens.
Cost: Free.
Safari Reader
Read without distractions
Features:
- Formats a webpage to show just the relevant text and images.
- Hides ads, navigation menus, and other distracting items.
- Lets you adjust the font, font size, and background color.
Compatibility: Mac, iPhone, iPad.
Cost: Free.
Dolphin Easy Reader
Accessible reading app
Features:
- Accessible reading app for people with print disabilities including dyslexia, low vision and blindness
- Instant and direct access to 15 international accessible book and newspaper libraries, including CELA library and Bookshare
Compatibility: iOS and Android app
Cost: Free
Postlight Reader
Remove ads & distractions online
Features:
- Simplify the web reading experience by removing ads and distractions to focus on the text
Compatibility: Chrome extension
Cost: Free
Microsoft Office Lens
Digitize handouts & whiteboard notes
Features:
- Digitize printed handouts and whiteboard notes into editable documents and save to OneDrive or OneNote
- Use with Immersive Reader to have text read to you
Compatibility: iOS and Android app
Cost: Free
Claro ScanPen
Scanner & reader app
Features:
- Take a photo of your printed document, select text with your finger and have it read back to you
Compatibility: iOS, Android app
Cost: $13.99
Dark Reader
Dark mode for every website
Features:
- Creates dark themes for websites on the fly.
- Inverts bright colors, making them high contrast and easy to read.
- Helps you adjust brightness, contrast, sepia filter, dark mode, and font settings.
Compatibility: Google Chrome extension
Cost: Free.
Alpha Text
Make text readable
Features:
- Quickly adjust font size, font style, and line spacing on websites.
- Customize the text and background colour to your liking.
- Remove distracting media (images, videos, backgrounds).
- Save favourite style sets to apply with a single click.
Compatibility: Google Chrome extension
Cost: Free.