Seeing AI 

Seeing AI is a free app by Microsoft that helps visually impaired individuals and supports literacy.

Getting Started

Install: Download Seeing AI from the App Store (iOS only).
Launch: Open the app and grant permissions for the camera, microphone, and storage.

Main Features

Short Text: Reads text in front of the camera.
Document: Scans and reads full pages of text aloud.
Product: Scans barcodes to identify items.
Person: Describes people’s features (gender, age, emotions).
Scene: Describes surroundings or objects.
Currency:  Recognizes paper money.
Colour: Names colours of objects.
Handwriting: Reads handwritten text.
Light: Detects light intensity.

Tips for Teaching Literacy

Reading

Short Text: Read labels and signs; practice word recognition.
Document: Read stories or worksheets aloud.
Handwriting: Read handwritten notes to understand writing styles.

Writing

Use the Handwriting Channel for feedback on students' writing.
Pair Scene Channel with creative writing prompts (e.g., describe a scene).
Confirm spelling with Short Text Channel.

Vocabulary

Product Channel: Identify items, learn names, and create sentences.
Colour/Scene Channels: Expand descriptive vocabulary.

 

Microsoft Word

How to Use Microsoft Words' Features to Learn Reading and Writing

Below is a step-by-step guide categorized into key tools to help students and teachers maximize Microsoft Word's features.

 Immersive Reader (for Reading and Accessibility)

Purpose:  The Immersive Reader in Microsoft Word assists students in reading more effectively by offering customizable options to enhance comprehension and fluency.

How to Use Immersive Reader

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Go to the View Tab in the ribbon.
3. Click Immersive Reader under the Views section.
   Features of Immersive Reader:

Read Aloud: Immersive Reader reads text aloud, highlighting each word as it is read. This helps improve pronunciation, fluency, and focus.
Useful for students with dyslexia or other reading challenges.

Text Customization: Adjust text size, font style, line spacing, and background color for better visibility and readability.
Useful for: Students with visual impairments or reading difficulties.

Syllable Division: Breaks words into syllables to improve phonetic skills and enhance understanding of word structure.
Useful for: Early readers or those improving language proficiency.

Line Focus:  Displays one or a few lines at a time, reducing visual clutter to help with focus.
Useful for: Students with attention challenges.

Translation: Translates text into different languages to help non-native speakers follow along.
Useful for: ESL (English as a Second Language) learners.
 

 Read Aloud (for Reading)

Purpose:  The Read Aloud feature makes it easier for students to listen to content while following along with the text.

How to Use Read Aloud

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word. 
2. Go to the Review Tab in the ribbon.
   Click Read Aloud in the Speech section. 
3. Use the playback controls to:
   Pause or stop reading.
   Adjust the reading speed.
    

  Focus Mode (for Reading)

Purpose:  Focus Mode eliminates distractions to create a clean reading environment.

How to Use Focus Mode:

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word. 
2. Go to the View Tab in the ribbon.
   Select Focus to hide toolbars and menus, leaving only the text on the screen.
    

 Navigation Pane (for Reading and Writing)

Purpose:  The Navigation Pane helps students and teachers quickly find specific sections in a long document.

How to Use Navigation Pane

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Go to the View Tab in the ribbon.
   Check the box labeled Navigation Pane.
3. The Navigation Pane appears on the left side of the screen - Jump to headings by clicking on them.
4. Search for keywords to locate specific text.
    

 Editor (for Writing)

Purpose:  The Editor checks spelling, grammar, and style to help students improve the quality of their writing.

How to Use the Editor 

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word. 
2. Go to the Home Tab in the ribbon. 
3. Click Editor in the "Proofing" section.
   Word will - highlight spelling and grammar mistakes.
4. Suggest improvements for clarity and tone. 
5. Accept or reject changes.
    

Dictation (for Writing)

Purpose: Dictation allows students to write hands-free by speaking into a microphone.

How to Use Dictation

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word. 
2. Go to the Home Tab in the ribbon.
   Click Dictate in the "Voice" section.
   Speak clearly into your microphone, and Word will transcribe your words.
    

Smart Lookup (for Writing and Research)

Purpose: The Smart Lookup feature directly provides definitions, synonyms, and related information within Word.

How to Use Smart Lookup:

1. Right-click on a word or phrase.
2. Select Smart Lookup from the menu.
3. View results in a task pane on the right side of the screen.
    

Templates (for Writing)

Purpose: Pre-designed templates help students structure essays, reports, and other documents.

How to Use Templates:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
   Go to File > New.
2. Browse templates (e.g., essays, resumes, reports). 
3. Click the template to open it as a new document.
    

Track Changes and Comments (for Writing and Collaboration)

Purpose:  These tools allow students and teachers to collaborate on editing and reviewing documents.

How to Use Track Changes:

1. Go to the Review Tab in the ribbon.
2. Click Track Changes.
3. Make edits, which will appear highlighted.
   Accept or reject changes through the Review Tab.
   How to Add Comments:

• Highlight text.
• Click New Comment in the Comments section under the Review Tab.
   

Word Count and Readability Statistics (for Writing)

Purpose: Helps students evaluate the length and complexity of their documents.

How to Use Word Count

1. Go to the Review Tab in the ribbon.
   Click Word Count in the "Proofing" section.
   A window will display:
   Word and character count.
   Readability statistics (e.g., Flesch-Kincaid grade level).
    

AutoCorrect (for Writing)

Purpose: Automatically corrects common typos and errors.

How to Customize AutoCorrect:

1. Go to File > Options.
2. In the Word Options window, select Proofing.
3. Click AutoCorrect Options to view and customize automatic corrections.
    

High Contrast Themes (for Accessibility)

Purpose: Improves visibility for students with visual impairments.

How to Enable High Contrast Themes:

1. Go to File > Options.
2. Click General.
3. Under Personalize Your Copy of Microsoft Office, select a Dark Gray or Black theme.