Zooming in Word

Minimise the ribbon

For distraction free working: •Remove the rulers•Minimise the ribbon•Customise the quick access toolbar•Use F11 to toggle full screen mode

On a Mac, you can switch text to speech on by going to:

System Preferences (the black apple top left) >system>speech>text to speech>speak selected text when the key is pressed> set key>OK.

Then you can highlight any text in a document or on the web and press your chosen shortcut. The default voice is Alex, but there are quite a few different voices to choose from.

Use these commands to add a speech icon to your toolbar: File>options >quick access toolbar> commands not in ribbon> speak>add>ok.

Once activated, you get a speech bubble icon at the top of the screen and you can click to have your highlighted text read back to you.

Here’s a how-to video:

Text-to-speech

On a MacOn a MacOffice 2010Office 2010

Text to speech can make a real difference for those with visual impairments, dyslexia and any other reading difficulties, making it easier to read digital resources as well as to edit their own writing.

Chrome Speak can read aloud any selected piece of text within the browser. Once you have installed the extension you simply highlight the text and right click to ‘read the selected text’ and then right click again to stop. Chrome uses the default voice available with the system, but you can add more to your operating system and select them from the Options under Chrome Speak. You can use the sliders to fine-tune the voice quality and control the rate, pitch and volume of the speech.

An add-on which gives Firefox the power of speech. Select text, right click and your text is read aloud. You can even download what you just heard as an mp3 file. Right click on 'download mp3' link, select 'save link as', select a location on your computer and it downloads the mp3 audio file. Use it to help with simple word pronunciations, to listen and read along, or to save and listen away from the computer.

Text-to-speech on the web

Firefox Firefox Chrome Chrome

A voice note allows you to record your voice on a document to help students with comprehension or reading difficulties. Students could be taught to use this feature to answer questions orally.

Add sound

In Word 2007: Add the ‘add voice’ button to the quick access toolbar.

In Word 2007: Add the ‘add voice’ button to the quick access toolbar.

Selecting text options:

The techniques below are more efficient than dragging to highlight selections in order to change the font, size, or style.

Highlight the entire document: Press the Control key + A. OR Triple click in the left margin when the cursor is pointing to the right. Highlight a word: Double click in the word.Highlight a sentence: Hold the control key and click in the sentence. Highlight a paragraph: Triple click in the paragraph. Highlight a specific section: Click in front of the first word to be highlighted. Then hold down the Shift key and click at the end of the desired section.Highlight a line: Click once in the margin to the left of the line.

Selecting Text

Setting style in Word

Set an easy to read style as the Default on the Home tab

Set an easy to read style as the Default on the Home tab

Auto Text

AutoTextAutoText can store complete paragraphs or information that is typed often, reducing the number of keystrokes needed.

Go to:Insert>Quick Parts>AutoText

Keyboard shortcuts for speed, motor disabilities or visual impairments

Keyboard shortcuts for speed, motor disabilities or visual impairments

Shortcuts

Red underline - Misspelled word Green underline Grammar error‐ Blue underline Contextual Spelling error (word used in the wrong context.)‐

Spelling and grammar

Review ribbonReview ribbon

Spellchecker

Spell Check Methods:

Right click on the underlined word and choose the correct word from the sub menu. OR Keyboard Shortcut for spell check Press the f7 key. ‐OR Click on the Proofing Errors icon the Status bar in the lower left corner.ORClick on the Review Tab. Then click on the Spelling and Grammar option.

Dictionary in Word

Choose from:dictionarythesaurusinternet searchtranslate

Thesaurus

Students may know a variety of adjectives but will often choose words they are comfortable spelling. Use the thesaurus to find synonyms and alternatives.

Right Click on a word, choose Synonym and click on the desired word.OR Keyboard Shortcut Shift + F7. ORHighlight a word Click on the Review Bar. Then click on the Thesaurus option.

Thesaurus: shift F7Thesaurus: shift F7

Track ChangesAllows students and teachers to interactively edit a document on the computer.

Track changes

Making documents easy to read

Use clear, easy to read fontsSans-serif fonts such as Verdana are easiest to read. Increase the font size for students with low vision or learning disabilities.Text ColourColoured text draws attention to text and separates ideas.Background ColourSome students may benefit from particular background and font colours:

1.Click on the Page Layout tab 2.Click on the down arrow by Page Color. 3.Choose the preferred page color.

A black background with yellow or white font provides contrast for students with low vision. Blue is reported as a popular choice for students with learning disabilities. Yellow and red may be helpful for students with attention disorders.

Adjust spacing

Adjusting the spacing can make documents easier to read:

Line Spacing: provides more white space between the lines.

Character Spacing: helps students to distinguish letters.

Word Spacing: helps students to distinguish words.

Margin Increase: decreases the amount of visual tracking needed.

•Clear uncluttered format with fewer items on a page

•More white space

•Room to write answers

•Enlarge margins to shorten tracking field

•Large and clear fonts

•Never type in all caps or italics

•Clear simple directions ‐ Bold directions

•Underline, bold or colors to highlight key words or tasks

•Use symbols such as arrows and stop signs to clarify directions

•Give examples and non examples set apart in a box‐

•Use borders

www.polk-fl.net/staff/resources/ese/WondersofWord2007 revised.pdf

Designing worksheets

Highlighter tools: use to emphasise important ideas, identify key words, and draw attention to new concepts.

Bullets and Numbering: use lists to order tasks or to identify important points.

Highlights and bulletsHighlightingBullets and numbering

HighlightingBullets and numbering

Use coloured arrows, stop signs, callouts and smiley faces for encouragement and reminders. Use flow charts to order tasks. You may type in most shapes if you right click on the shape and choose Add Text. Callouts allow you to just click in the shape and type.

Shapes

ShapesShapes

Smart Graphics can help organise ideas for revision or in preparation for writing.

•Select the Insert tab. •Click on the SmartArt icon. •Choose graphics.•Move the Smart Art by right clicking on the item•Type text in the graphics.•Choose colours.•Use text wrapping to place in document.

Smart Graphics in Word

Move an image in Word

Use Text Wrap to place images:1.Right click on the image.2.Choose Text Wrap from the sub menu.

Placing imagesPlacing images

File management

•Place all documents in ‘My Documents’•Create folders in ‘My Documents’•Use folders within folders•File as you go•Keep desktop tidy

•Place all documents in ‘My Documents’•Create folders in ‘My Documents’•Use folders within folders•File as you go•Keep desktop tidy

File management

•Use plain, short names for folders, lowercase, no spaces•Be consistent and specific with names•Naming should make the contents obvious•Use dates for folders and files•Separate ongoing and completed work•Use libraries

•Use plain, short names for folders, lowercase, no spaces•Be consistent and specific with names•Naming should make the contents obvious•Use dates for folders and files•Separate ongoing and completed work•Use libraries

File management

• Use ‘find files’ and ‘recent items’ in Start menu• View thumbnails or icons• Spring clean files regularly• Be selective about the files to keep• Back up files regularly• Don’t rely on a stick• Put a shortcut to documents on the desktop

• Use ‘find files’ and ‘recent items’ in Start menu• View thumbnails or icons• Spring clean files regularly• Be selective about the files to keep• Back up files regularly• Don’t rely on a stick• Put a shortcut to documents on the desktop

More tips here