Tech Thursday: How to set up your Android tablet for literacy

Overview

So you got that new Android tablet for Christmas. But how do you best set it up as a device to support someone with dyslexia in their literacy work? This post lists an example of apps I always put on a tablet or a phone of someone who needs help with their reading and writing. Most of these are free or very cheap.

This guide is for Android devices only (Note: Only some of these apps are also available on the Kindle Fire). You can find more information about the iPad and iPhone on the CALL Scotland website. You can download the MindMap of this post with links.

Google Account

The first thing you need to do is to set up a Google Account or enter details of your existing account (you may already have one, if you’re using Gmail). You can have more than one account associated with one device.

The Google Account will let you:

·  Install apps from the Play Store

·  Access Google services and apps such as Keep and Docs

·  Sync data between devices

·  Back up and restore your data

You also get Gmail service with your Google account but you don’t have to use it, if you already have other email.

Apps for Reading

/ @Voice Aloud Reader Have any text converted into speech – opens web pages, PDFs and ebooks.
/ Moon+ Reader Pro (Paid.) Best ebook reader for books from Load2Learn or unprotected ebooks (if you install PDF Plugin, it will read PDFs). (For purchased books, there is Kindle, Google Play Books.)
/ Color Dict is a free dictionary that works on its own or integrates with Moon+ Reader (you have to install data for the actual English Dictionary separately.)
/ Text Fairy Take a picture of text, convert it to text, read it out with text-to-speech.
/ Ivona Text-to-Speech HQ is an upgrade to the default voice (which is already very good. (You have to also install UK Voice data.)

Apps for Writing

/ Google Now Gives you a microphone button so that you can dictate your searches and notes when you’re online.
/ Google Docs You can use Voice Typing by simply tapping the microphone icon on the keyboard and dictate your documents. To manage your documents, install Google Drive which also has a basic scanner function.
/ Swiftkey Keyboard The default keyboard from Google is very good and has decent prediction and correction. But Swiftkey is even better because it can predict multiple words and can look at your documents to learn how you write.

Apps for Organisation

/ Google Now can learn more about you as you use it. It will pop up reminders to leave in time for your meeting, keep track of where you are and suggest things to do in your location. (May already be installed.)
/ Google Keep will serve as a note taking device or a basic to do list. You can put reminders on your notes to pop up at a certain time or certain location. You can also dictate your notes or take pictures as notes. (May already be installed.)
/ Google Now Launcher Will make it easier to access voice and document services from Google. Also often gives you consistent interface across different Android devices which are often modified by manufacturers.
/ Google Calendar Keep schedules with reminders (Most likely already installed on your tablet or phone.)

Apps for Maths

/ Google Now Simply dictate your calculations (‘five time forty-four divided by three’) when you’re online and it will speak back the results.
/ Speak n Talk Calculator Will speak back your formulas and let you dictate your maths questions.
/ MyScript Calculator will let you draw your math formulas on the screen and give you results. You should also check out Mathway or Photo Math which both let you take pictures of math problems and give you solutions.

Next time

Next time we will learn about the top tip for formatting texts for someone with dyslexia for maximum reading speed and comprehension.

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