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Raising Attainment with Microsoft Learning Tools

Details

A3 sized PDF poster - revision 1.0, published 2018

Description

Immersive Reader is part of Microsoft Learning Tools and is designed to improve reading support for learners with literacy difficulties, such as dyslexia.

Immersive Reader includes the following features:

  • 6 different background colour and font themes so learners can customise font size, style colour and background as well as line spacing between words.
  • Options to change text size from 14 to 96 point, with an easy to use slider bar.
  • Syllables - words are broken down to help with decoding, word recognition and pronunciation.
  • Parts of Speech - words are colour coded into nouns, verbs and adjectives to help with grammar.
  • Line Focus - helps to reduce clutter and aid concentration.
  • Picture Dictionary - Picture Communication Symbols so learners can see a visual representation of words and hear individual words spoken aloud.
  • Text-to-speech - documents can be spoken aloud using the built-in speech tool.

Although each of these tools can be used independently they work extremely well in combination with each other, e.g., font and theme styles combined with text-to-speech and line focus.

Not all the tools are available in every element of Office. The Immersive Reader in Learning Tools is available in Word Online and OneNote Online, as a free Add-In for Word and OneNote Desktop apps, and for the Word and OneNote iPad apps.

Visit the Learning Tools website for more information.

Short Study Online Courses

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Contents of this PDF poster (Accessible version)

Below is an accessible breakdown of the contents of the PDF poster, designed to be accessible with a screen reader, and also for people who find it hard to see or access the links in the poster.

Free tools for Microsoft Office to support learners who experience difficulties with reading. Available for OneNote and Word (Online, Desktop and iPad). Not all tools exist in every version. For more information visit the Learning Tools webpage.

To start Immersive Reader select the ‘View Tab’ and ‘Immersive Reader’. To make adjustments see below.

Text size, Spacing and Themes

Adjust the font size, font style and colour themes to customise and differentiate reading.

Choose a voice, adjust the voice speed and click or tap the Play button to hear text spoken aloud in a distraction free, immersive environment.

Combine the above with text-to-speech to aid comprehension and independent reading.

Syllables and Parts of Speech

Use Syllables to break words into smaller parts to help improve word recognition. Colour code words into nouns, verbs and adjectives to aid grammar.

Line Focus and Picture Dictionary

Improve readability, concentration and reading speed with Line Focus by reading one (or more) line of text at a time. Picture Dictionary aids reading and comprehension by seeing and hearing a word simultaneously.

Consider using Line Focus, Picture Dictionary, Themes and Speech in combination to provide a multi-sensory and inclusive reading experience.

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