NoRedInk provides three major types of scaffolds for students, whether English learners or other students who would benefit from reading support:
- Text-to-speech
- English definitions
- Translation supports
Read on to learn about how these language supports can lower language and comprehension barriers to promote confident, independent learning on NoRedInk!
💡 Want to learn more about using NoRedInk with English learners? Check out this overview of how NoRedInk supports English learners or this article on best practices for using NoRedInk with ELs.
Text-to-speech
With Text-to-Speech enabled, directions can be read aloud in most Practice topics, as well as prompts and passages in writing assignments. Definitions, translations, and student writing in Guided Essays and Guided Short Response can also be read aloud.
Students can select the play, pause, or stop buttons next to the text to listen to the audio. You can learn more about our text-to-speech feature in this article!
English definitions
Students can now look up the meaning of words they don't know in a NoRedInk assignment! Simply highlight or double-click a word to select it, and the definition will appear in a small pop-up. Definitions are available on words across most Practice topics, as well as all writing prompts and passages.
💡 Definitions are AI-powered, and outputs have been rigorously tested to ensure a high level of accuracy and clarity. Providing AI definitions allows us to take into account the context a word is used in and use student-friendly language. We do expect some mistakes to occur, and welcome feedback from you or your students.
This language support is automatically available for all NoRedInk users! Teachers can try out looking up words by previewing any assignment.
Translation supports
NoRedInk offers two forms of translation support for English learners: single-word translations and translated question directions. More detail about how they work is available in this article.
Single-word translations
English learners can translate individual words on most assignments. Students with this feature enabled can translate words just like they look up definitions: by selecting or double-clicking a word. The translation of a word shows up in the pop-up above its definition.
Teachers can enable this feature for individual students on the Manage Classes page. Once enabled, students will be prompted to select their home language.
Translated question directions
Practice question directions can be translated into a student's home language! These translations can help beginner English learners understand the instructions in Practice topics, Quizzes, Diagnostics, and Skill Benchmarks.
Teachers can enable direction translation on the Manage Classes page separately from single-word translations. Once enabled, students are prompted to select their language.
💡 In order to support as many languages as possible, we are relying on Google Translate to provide translations, and the machine translation can make mistakes. We welcome feedback on any incorrect translations.
Additional Resources
- Learn about NoRedInk Translation Support
- How NoRedInk supports English Learners
- Strategies for using NoRedInk with English Learners