TABLE OF CONTENTS


*Google Doc Version


Introduction

ReadSpeaker docReader is a tool in Moodle that can read Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets, and PDFs to you. DocReader is highly customizable to your preferences. 


ReadSpeaker Icon

Files that can be opened with docReader will have the ReadSpeaker icon next to them, along with the file type. Click the icon to open the file.


Icon is a piece of paper with a speaker on it


Playback Buttons

Click the “Listen” button to hear the text on the page that is currently visible in the docReader. The alt text of images will also be read aloud. The pause and stop buttons are located beside the listen button on the top toolbar.



Highlighting Text

Another way to listen to the text is to highlight the portion that you want to hear. Once highlighted, the “Listen” button appears.



Page Navigation 

Files with multiple pages can be navigated in four different ways:

  • The up and down arrows on the left side of the toolbar
  • The Page drop down bar on the left side of the toolbar
  • The sidebar located on the left side of the docReader
  • The forward and backward arrows that appear when the cursor hovers over the sides of the page



Text Mode

You can toggle between “Layout Mode” and “Text Mode,” based on your preference. These buttons are located on the top toolbar beside the “Listen” button. Text Mode removes any images from the file and allows you to focus on the text. In this example, the text color has been changed to blue and the page changed to black. Click the “Settings” button to change the Text Mode options.


 

Expand/Collapse Toolbar

The Expand/Collapse Toolbar button shows or hides the second row of the toolbar. The second row toolbar provides the following options: 

  • Settings
  • Page Mask
  • Reading Ruler
  • Highlighter & Show Highlights
  • Download mp3 of Page
  • Download Document
  • Print Document



Reading Voice

The reading voice menu is located on the right side of the docReader. There are multiple male and female reading voices to choose from, including English with an American accent, Australian accent, British accent, and Spanish accent.

 

Settings

The Settings button opens a new menu that allows you to adjust the General Settings, Highlighting Settings, and Text Mode Settings. General Settings include the reading speed and automatic page flip. Text Mode Settings include text colors, font size, and font spacing. 


Page Mask

Page Mask helps you focus on a specific line, or lines, of text by darkening the background. Only the text that you need to focus on stays bright. Use the plus and minus signs on the page mask to increase or decrease the size of it. 



Reading Ruler

The Reading Ruler helps you focus on reading the text in a straight line. This is the digital version of keeping your place if you get distracted easily. Use the plus and minus signs on the reading ruler to increase or decrease the size of it.



Highlighter

The highlighter feature has four different colors and four different border styles. You have the option of downloading the highlighted text as a separate document.


 

Magnification

Files can be magnified up to 200% using the magnifying glass icons at the bottom of the docReader.