Michelle Thomas

Thank you, Jerri. I am just so used to checking IEP or 504, I wasn't sure if I could proceed. Your post was very helpful!

Hi Earline, I am an Assistive Technology Specialist and can share some information about how our students are accessing Bookshare in our school district. The most common way that we are using is via the Bookshare Web Browser on a Chromebook. The students then use the Read&Write for Google Chrome extension for the text-to-speech. (Text-to-Speech is included in the free version.) That way, the student can both see and hear the text as it is read aloud. At the beginning, I make it as easy as possible for both the teachers and students by adding the books, etc. and then try to encourage them to take more control of the account. I also like for the students to start with a book that they WANT to read instead of a book they HAVE to read. I hope this helps a bit! Michelle Thomas, Assistive Technology Specialist

I have a student that has a visual impairment which greatly affects his ability to access text. The school team is in the process of determining if he will qualify for an IEP or 504 Plan. Can I create his Bookshare account before the plan is determined? We do have a note from the Ophthalmologist indicating that he will have difficulty accessing text smaller than 20. Thank you! Michelle Thomas Assistive Technology Specialist Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Thornton, CO

Hi, I agree that the Read&Write extension offers much more control over reading when using the Web Reader. The free version offers the text-to-speech so you don't have to purchase the Premium Subscription to use it with Bookshare. I have not heard from any students or teachers in my district regarding the reading stopping in the middle of the page. Every once in a while, it gets a little quirky and seems to lose it's place, but with a page refresh, it is good to go again. Michelle Thomas, Assistive Technology Specialist, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Thornton, CO

Hi Jonah, I am an Assistive Technology Specialist in the public schools. We use a district Organizational Account to create our students' Bookshare membership. Through the district, the membership is free and does not require an email address. If the family would like for the student to have an Individual Membership so the student can select his/her own books, we can use the student's (school) email address. Michelle Thomas

Hi, It will depend on the tool... If the student opens the book with the Web Reader and uses the free Read&Write for Google Chrome text-to-speech tool, it has a pause button.

Hi Elyce, If the student is part of a different account, I believe that he/she will need to be deleted from that account before you can add the student to your account. Michelle Thomas Adams 12 Five Star Schools Thornton, CO

I just saw the Student Dashboard. When it shows a number of books "downloaded", what does that mean? Does it count books that have been opened with the Web Browser? Does it show a count for students with an Individual account? Thanks in advance! Michelle Thomas Assistive Technology Specialist Adams 12 Five Star Schools Thornton, CO

Hi Nick, I'm in! I have a feeling it was user error on my side...Thank you! Michelle

Hi, I am unable to log into the following demo account: individualdemo@bookshare.org memberdemo1 Is there another one that can be used to show attendees the tools? Thank you! Michelle Thomas, Assistive Technology Specialist Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Thornton, CO

Hello, I am creating a Reading List for a 2nd grader with a physical disability. I did an advanced search for 2nd grade books with images. (He doesn't need text read aloud but I feel that the images are very important.) However, the "Add to Reading List" does not work when I try to add the books from the search results. I am having to open the reading list, search for the book and then add it. Is there a solution? I am using the Chrome browser. Thanks in advance for your support! Michelle Thomas Assistive Technology Specialist Adams 12 Five Star Schools Thornton, CO

Hi Lee Ann, Just to add on to Nick's response... When a book is open in Voice Dream Reader and you press down on the text, you do get a menu with some annotation options such as Highlight and Note. Michelle Thomas, Assistive Technology Specialist Adams 12 Five Star Schools Thornton, CO

Hi Nick, It worked with some tips from the QIAT ListServ! Instead of using the Web Reader, I had to download the book in the EPUB format, then "Open with" Read&Write for Google Chrome. Then, the annotation tools are available and annotations remain on the book as long as it is opened with Read&Write! Thank you!!

Hi Nick, I tried it, and, yes, you can highlight and export the highlights in the Web Reader but the highlights are gone the next time the book is opened. She would like to go back in and have her highlights and notes available. I will post to the QIAT ListServe and see if there are any other ideas, also. Let me know if you have other ideas that I should try!

Hi, I have a student that is currently using the Web Reader on a Chromebook. She is a middle schooler and would like to be able to annotate ON the book. (highlight, etc.) She prefers to use a Chromebook. How can I make this possible for her? We are a Google District so she has access to Google Drive & she has a Read&Write for Google account. Thanks in advance!