Tools for Reading Digital Text

 

Learning Objective
  • Learn how to use the tools within Points of View Reference Source to support student learning.   

 

Digital text contains tools to help readers engage with content in ways not possible with traditional print-based text. Text-to-speech and display controls on EBSCO's digital text allow students to personalize their reading experiences. In this lesson, learn more about assistive technology tools available on EBSCO's digital text.

Two Types of Digital Text

 Explora, Points of View Reference Source, and ISearch contain two types of digital text: online full text and PDF. Selected articles are available in both formats. Understanding the attributes of each type of digital text can help educators and students determine which type best supports classroom instruction and learning. 

Online Full Text: Online full text is available for all full-text articles provided by EBSCOhost. Students can personalize their reading experience using options available from the Listen menu. They can download audio versions of the articles for use offline. 

PDF: Portable Document Format (PDF) is an electronic image of text and graphics as they appear in print. Give students PDFs of the text so they can read along while listening in the Text-to-Speech feature. Selected EBSCOhost articles provide a PDF version of the text.

Using the Text-to-Speech Feature 

Text-to-Speech is available on online full text and PDF versions of an article. This feature narrates the article for the reader. Follow these steps to use the Text-to-Speech feature.

PDF

Show students how to locate the Headphone icon to open the Listen panel. Using the Listen panel, they can find a limited menu of options to customize the Text-to-Speech feature to meet their needs.

  • Volume
  • Playback speed
  • Download mp3

Students can download the audio file of the article as an mp3 file for use offline. 

Updated9 12PDFTextToSpeech

Online Full Text

Show students how to locate the Headphone icon to open the Listen panel. Using the Listen panel, they can find a menu of options to customize the Text-to-Speech feature to meet their needs.

  • Volume
  • Playback speed
  • Automatic scrolling
  • Download mp3
  • Text highlighting 
  • Word color
  • Sentence color 

Automatic Scrolling:  Use the Listen panel to turn on Automatic Scrolling. When on, the page will automatically scroll to follow the highlighted text. 

 Updated9 12OnlineFullTextAudio2

 

Visit Using the Text-to-Speech Feature in the New EBSCO Interfaces on EBSCO Connect to learn more about the assistive technology tools available on EBSCO's digital text. 

To learn more about the various assistive technology features and how to choose the best for individual student needs, read Assistive Technology for Reading from Reading Rockets

 
 
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