Helperbird: A Safe Alternative to the Defunct Immersive Reader Chrome Extension

 

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital tools, the recent discontinuation of the Immersive Reader Chrome Extension marks a significant change, particularly for the education sector. Immersive Reader, known for enhancing the accessibility of digital content, has been a vital tool for teachers and students alike. Its features, such as read aloud, text spacing, and translation, have made it easier for learners with different needs to access information. However, with this tool no longer operational on Google Chrome, many users are left seeking alternatives.

The good news is that Microsoft's Immersive Reader continues to be available on Microsoft products, including the Edge browser. This offers a semblance of continuity for those who are able to switch platforms. But for the vast majority who are entrenched in the world of Google Chrome, this change poses a challenge.

Enter Helperbird, a Chrome Extension that emerges as a solid alternative. Helperbird not only allows users to access many of the beloved features of Microsoft's Immersive Reader but also brings its own suite of tools to the table. Its functionality is straightforward and user-friendly: simply select the text you want to read, right-click, and hover over the Helperbird option. A menu appears, offering various tools, including the option to open the content in Immersive Reader. This seamless integration ensures that the transition from the now-defunct Chrome Extension is as smooth as possible.

However, it's important to note that full access to Helperbird's features requires signing up for an account. This might be a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits it offers. For a visual guide on how to use Helperbird to access Immersive Reader, see the screenshot provided below. This visual aid can be particularly helpful for getting acquainted with the new process and exploring the available options.

For individuals concerned about data collection and usage, the privacy section on Helperbird's page in the Chrome Web Store provides clear and reassuring information. It explicitly states that Helperbird commits to never selling, storing, or misusing any user data. Additionally, the privacy policy aligns with key regulations such as COPPA and FERPA, ensuring compliance with important standards for the protection of children's online privacy and student education records. This transparency and commitment to privacy and security should offer peace of mind to users prioritizing data safety. Click here to view the developer's privacy policy.

Simple Google Tools to Give English Learners Access to Curriculum

English learners often feel left out and teachers struggle to find ways to simply give them access to content. Have you ever felt a little uncomfortable trying to help give English learners access to content? If so, Google has a variety of easy to use tools that help teachers accommodate the learners and empower the learners to access the content. In this session, we will explore Google Docs/Slides Add-ons, Google Chrome extensions and systems to not only give access, but help aid with their development with the English language.

This session will demonstrate simple ways to use Google to give ELLs access to content in their home language and side-by-side with English. A common practice when attempting to give English learners access to content, teachers create separate versions of content or assignments in the home language. This can make English learners feel alienated, and at the same time, it does not help them grow with the English language. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for separate versions in the home language, but in this session, we will take a look at simple tools and systems to provide side-by-side translation in the same resource or activity. This can begin to help English learners feel included, accommodated and develop with the English language.

In this session, attendees will:

• Take a look at tools built into Google Docs to aid with translation

• Investigate Chrome extensions to help English learners access curriculum and engage

• Demonstrate Add-ons in Google Docs and Slides for translation and engagement

• Develop a system for side by side translation, not just versions in different languages

• Practice using Google Translate conversation mode to enhance your ability to give in-person, real-time feedback

If you would like to bring me to your school for PD, workshops, a keynote, training or a follow-up on this or previous blogposts, click here to schedule an appointment to chat.

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Update to Chrome Reading List: Quite a Handy Little Feature

Recently, Google Chrome was updated to include a Reading List button next to your Chrome profile picture, to the right of your extensions. You may have seen this and wondered if you accidentally added an new extension. What this button does is to open your Chrome Reading List as a side panel on the right. Click the button shown below to check it out.

If you are reading a website, and you want to save it for later, but not set it as a bookmark, the Reading List will be your best friend. With the Reading List open, click the button labeled Add current tab. This will save the URL (link) to your Reading List.

In addition, you have another way to see and access your bookmarks. If you'd like to see your bookmarks vertically, rather than horizontally across the top, the Reading List will display them on the right side panel.

This new feature can be useful for students as well. If students are doing research, they can add their search results to the Reading List for easy access. When they are finished, and no longer need the links, they can quickly delete them from the list. 

If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

 

Help English Learners with Translator Chrome Extension for FASTER Translation

Vocabulary is very important for all learners, English learners in particular. Translating vocabulary, instructions, etc. isn't difficult thanks to the magic of free online translators such as Google Translate. The issue with translation it can be cumbersome. I could create separate versions of Quizlet study sets, Quizizz quizzes, instructions, etc. in another language, but that is time consuming. 

To help with their development with the English language, I like to have definitions, instructions, etc. translated into home languages side by side. I want them to see it both languages at the same time. To accomplish this, in the past, I kept Google Translate open in a separate tab. Tab switching isn't hard, but it's annoying. I have also used the Google Translate Chrome Extension which allowed me to select text, right click and select Google Translate, but it opens Google Translate in a new tab. 

To streamline my workflow, I looked for an alternate to the Google Translate Chrome Extension and I found the Translator Extension. Click here to add it to Chrome. With this, when highlight the text I want to translate, an icon appears. I click it and a pop-up appears where I can immediately see my text translated. I click the copy button and add to my document. This allows me to stay in the same tab the entire time.

 

The example below is how I use it when I translate Quizlet definitions into Spanish, side by side with English. 

I start by adding the English definition. Next, I select the text and click the Translator icon that appears next to my text.

A pop up appears showing my text translated into Spanish. There is a copy button in the top left of the pop up.

With my copied Spanish text, I paste next to the English text.

Not having to switch tabs makes translating much easier and less cumbersome. What are you looking to translate for English learners? If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

New Chrome Feature: Share Any Webpage as a QR Code

 

QR Codes are a fun, cool way of sharing information. You can share contact info, a wifi password (I have one framed for guests at my home to scan and access the wifi), digital check-ins or attendance, links to games and projects, and much more. Recently, Google Chrome added a feature that allows you to generate a QR Code from any webpage right from the Omnibox (address bar).

To enable the QR Code generator, paste chrome://flags/#sharing-qr-code-generator into the Omnibox and click enter/return. This will open a tab called Experiments. Click the button titled Default. In the dropdown menu, select Enabled. This change won't take effect until you relaunch Chrome. At the bottom right of the screen, you'll see a button titled Relaunch. Click the button, and when Chrome relaunches, you'll now have the option for the QR Code generator.

Now that you have enabled the QR Code generator, navigate to a webpage and click on the URL to "highlight" it. 

On the far right of the Omnibox, you will a series of small buttons. One of them, circled below, is the QR Code generator.

After clicking the QR Code generator button, a QR Code will appear. This can be scanned with a QR Code scanner app on any smartphone or tablet. In addition, you can click Download to save it and print a physical copy.

QR Codes could be a fun way, in distance learning, to incorporate a scavenger hunt where students use their phones in addition to computers during a Zoom/Google Meet lesson. Generate your code, share the screen and kids can scan it. If working with students face to face, kids can scan to check in or for attendance. It can be used for them to access prizes or other incentives. The possibilities are endless. How might you use the Chrome QR Code generator?

If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Record Immersive Reader as Scaffold for English Learners

If you haven't added the Immersive Reader Chrome extension, you're going to want to ASAP. This Chrome extension allows you to select text online, right click and have it read aloud in virtually any language. Parts of speech can be color coded in addition to other features. If it all possible, coordinate with whomever is in charge of your school's Google domain and have this extension pushed out to student accounts. It is a valuable tool for English learners accessing content.

If you have access to the Chrome Web Store, add it to Chrome. If no access, speak to whomever is in charge of the domain ask them to push it your account.

Go to virtually any web page and highlight/select some text.

Right click on the highlighted/selected text. In the menu, click Help me read this.

After clicking Help me read this, the current tab you're in will be taken over by Immersive reader. To return to page where you found the text, click the back arrow in the top left corner (not shown here). On this page, you'll see the text in big letters and a play button at the bottom. The play button will immediately read you selected text in English.

To translate, in the top right corner, click the icon that looks like an open book. This will open a menu with many options on the right side of the screen.

Below where it says Translate, click the dropdown menu and select your desired language. At the bottom of this menu, turn on the switch for Document. This will translate the entirety of your selected text.

Almost instantly, you'll see the language of the text translate. Click the play button to have it read in the new language.

If your English learners need further assistance or an extra scaffold, use your favorite screencasting tool to record the reading of the translated text. You can share the video with the student and have them follow along the English text while hearing it in their language.

The example below was created using Screencastify. 

How might you leverage this amazing tool?  If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

 

Too Many Chrome Tabs Open? Try Google Drive Workspaces

 

In the edtech world, we are notorious for having numerous Chrome tabs open in our browser. I have a friend who actually reached the limit of open tabs. It's a symptom of multitasking. One issue with multiple Chrome tabs open is that it can negatively affect the performance of your computer. You computer will not work as efficiently with too many tabs open. 

Often times, we have files from Google Drive open in many tabs. We leave them open because it's a pain in the butt to go back into Drive and find the files. One way to have easy access to often-used files, and to minimize the amount of open tabs, is to use Google Drive Workspaces. 

Have you ever noticed the "Priority" button just below "New"? (If you are working in a personal Gmail account, you will not see this. It's only available in GSuite for Education and Enterprise accounts.) When you open it, you'll see an option for Workspaces. Workspaces allows you to pin and group often-used files for easy access without having to always go fishing through Drive or leaving too many Chrome tabs open.

Take a look at the screenshots below to learn how to start using Google Drive Workspaces.

Step 1: Go to Google Drive and click on the Priority button on the left side panel.

Step 2: Click the Create button next to Workspaces and give it a title.

Step 3: Once you name it, click Add files to begin inserting files you want easy access to.

Step 4: Add to Workspace panel will appear on the right side. It will allow you to go through your Google Drive files to select the ones you want available in the Workspace. 

Step 5: Click on the file(s) you want in the Workspace and click Insert when ready to add. If you have other files not currently in view, located in a different folder, you will have to repeat steps 3-5.

Step 6: Once inserted to a Workspace, when you go to Priority, you'll see your Workspace(s). Click the one you want then, select the files you want to open. 

You may want to include files such as templates for lesson planning, activities, etc. When done manipulating these files, don't leave them open as a tab in Chrome, close down to save CPU power. Simply leave Google Drive open as its own tab and you'll have quick, easy access to these files. A good rule of thumb is to leave tabs open that aren't files in Drive. This will help you minimize the amount of Chrome tabs open at once. 

Below is an screenshot of an actual Workspace I use everyday. (Note: You have a limit of 25 files you can add to a Workspace.)

If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Hangouts at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. If you would like to unsubscribe from this blog, go to bit.ly/tcjinbox.

How To Use the Print Friendly & PDF Chrome Extension

 

There are some great articles online that can be down right littered with ads. The amount of ads can often be a deal breaker when deciding whether or not to use the article for assignments with students. Next time you find a great article littered with ads, use the Print Friendly & PDF Chrome Extension to generate an ad-free PDF file of the article that is much more palatable for students. 

The steps below show you how to get started installing the extension and how to use it.

Step 1: Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for Print Friendly PDF.

Step 2: Click Add to Chrome. (This screenshot shows Remove from Chrome since I have already added it. The Add to Chrome button is in the same spot if you haven't added it yet. If your district's domain does not allow you to add Chrome extensions, contact whoever is in charge of the domain and ask them to push the extension to teacher browsers or allow this one to be installed.)

Step 3: When the extension has been installed, it will appear in your Chrome browser. When you find the article you want, click the extension button. 

Step 4: After you click the extension button, a window will pop up and process the article like you see below. You will see most, if not all, ads removed. 

Step 5: As you scroll down, hover your mouse over areas you'd like to eliminate from the article and click the trash can. This is useful if there are ads that didn't get taken out or if there is text you believe is extra or irrelevant.

Step 6: When you are ready, click the PDF button at the top right of the window. Then click Download Your PDF to download the file to your computer.

When you download it to your computer, you should then upload it into Google Drive. From there, it can be assigned or attached in Google Classroom. The video below shows you each step in real time.

If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Hangouts at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. If you would like to unsubscribe from this blog, go to bit.ly/tcjinbox.