Review of Read&Write extension
Updated June 10, 2025
Review of Read&Write extension
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Read&Write
We use Read&Write to support students in our school district with reading/writing disabilities. Students start using Chromebooks for writing in 2nd grade up until they graduate (which might be age 21).
Pros
- provides helpful word prediction choices
- provides natural voice for text to speech
- gives a lot of different tool bar options to support students including dictionaries, note-taking options, vocabulary lists with pictures, definitions, place for notes
Cons
- when using Talk&Type, words are capitalized in the middle of sentences and students need to go back and correct which is very time consuming
- Orbit Note shouldn't be a whole separate website; should be part of the Read&Write extension. Very difficult to then share the different options to classroom teachers who already have enough to worry about.
- Talk & Type will randomly turn on when you are trying to close a Google doc and start recording.
- Students that struggle with reading and writing have a weight taken off their shoulders. They are more successful and efficient with reading comprehension and writing.
- Less frustrated with this support; able to understand material as well as get their ideas out, edit writing without all the hurdles they face when trying to read/write independently.
Works well in Chromebooks with Google docs. Still trying to figure out an easier way to incorporate using it with the Amplify digital platform that student have for their reading/writing curriculum. This includes worksheets that they have to complete within lessons.
I test students across the district with paper/pencil tasks vs keyboarding tasks. These are students that especially struggle with writing. When I introduce them to the Read&Write extension, most of them are very excited to be introduced to a tool that supports them when they have struggled so long to try to read/write independently.
Read&Write has many more toolbar options, but I know that CoWriter and S&R have been incorporated into Read&Write. Nice to have one extension instead of 2 separate ones.
Do you think Read&Write delivers good value for the price?
Not sure
Are you happy with Read&Write's feature set?
Yes
Did Read&Write live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of Read&Write go as expected?
No
Would you buy Read&Write again?
Yes
Read&Write Feature Ratings
Using Read&Write
500 - Elementary, middle school, and high school students that needs support with reading and writing.
20 - special education teachers support our student students
- Writing papers
- Completing homework
- no unexpected ways
- to help support writing in PDF files
Evaluating Read&Write and Competitors
Yes - Cowriter and Snap&Read. These are becoming a part of Read&Write
- Ease of Use
Students need support that is easy for them to navigate.
I would not change.
Read&Write Implementation
- Implemented in-house
- Getting tool bar working (not greyed out) on students chromebooks.
Read&Write Training
- No Training
Yes and yes
Configuring Read&Write
No - we have not done any customization to the interface
No - we have not done any custom code
Read&Write Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
None | Slow Resolution Escalation required Need to explain problems multiple times |
no. Our district doesn’t have additional funds.
Using Read&Write
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- Speech to Text
- Text to Speech
- Writing in pdfs
Read&Write Reliability
Integrating Read&Write
Have not done it.
Relationship with Everway (formerly Texthelp and n2y)
subscription for school district
Comments
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