Read&Write - Download Instructions
Read&Write is a text-to-speech program that provides visual and auditory feedback of text. It offers support to all students especially struggling readers and writers, those with literacy difficulties or visual impairments and English language learners. Here are a few advantages of Read&Write:
- Hear web pages, electronic books, and documents read aloud to improve reading comprehension
- Understand unfamiliar words with text and picture dictionaries
- Develop writing skills with word-prediction
- Support independent student research with valuable study skills tools
For training and how-to videos
Quick Reference Guide
Computer Labs on Campus
The desktop version of Read&Write is available for use in all computer labs on the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus. After logging into the computer with your Star ID and password, you will see the Read&Write icon.
Downloading Read&Write
Read&Write can be used on several platforms: desktop (Windows or Mac), Google Chrome, Android and iPad. Instructions for each are below.
We suggest downloading both the desktop and Google Chrome versions so you can work both online and offline.
Windows/Mac Desktop:
- Go to the Texthelp Website and click either Windows (US) or Mac.
- Once the Read&Write installer file is downloaded, open it and install as normal.
- Once installed, when Read&Write opens it will show as a small white icon at the top of your screen. Click the little purple puzzle piece.
- A browser tab will open and you will be prompted to sign in. Choose the option to log in with Microsoft and use your normal Star ID SSO details (example: ab1234cd@go.minnstate.edu).
- Once logged in, the full Read&Write bar should appear at the top of your screen, meaning you're ready to go!
To install, download the following extension from the Google Chrome App Store on your computer.
Read&Write for Google Chrome app
The following extensions add more features to the Chrome version of Read&Write:
- OrbitNote extension - used for opening and working with PDF's
- Screenshot Reader extension - only needed if working with inaccessible documents
- e-Pub Reader - only needed if reading an e-Pub book/article
If you use the desktop version of Read&Write, you may be prompted to install a Support for Read&Write Chrome extension. This will allow you to use the normal desktop Read&Write toolbar in Google Chrome. You can install all three (Desktop, Chrome, and Chrome Support) for multiple options for reading all kinds of content!
