With an overwhelming amount of content in our lives, mastering reading comprehension is more crucial than ever. One tool that can enhance your understanding and retention is the digital highlighter. Digital highlighters allow you to easily select key information, making it simpler to digest complex texts. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a lifelong learner, harnessing the capabilities of digital highlighting can transform your reading experience, helping you identify essential concepts and improve overall comprehension.
Review the benefits of digital highlighters and try the quick start instructions below.
The benefits of digital highlighters:
- Identifying key concepts and physically marking text can reinforce learning
- Key concepts in the text are easily identified for reviewing later
- The act of highlighting can make reading interactive which increases focus and engagement
Reading a passage and marking the key information helps with understanding the material. Plus, the highlighted information can be revisited later when you want to remember the key concepts.
Fortunately, document applications such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs have built-in digital highlighters. Furthermore, annotation tool extensions can be added to the Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome web browsers to allow digital highlighting of web pages (see the resources at the end of the article).
Check out these helpful tips on using highlighting effectively from the Learning Center at the University of North Carolina.
And remember keep offline solutions like a highlighter pen or removable highlighter tape in your environment for reading paper materials.
Now, try digital highlighting by opening Word Online and Google Docs using your free Microsoft account and free Google account.
Microsoft: Digital highlighter in Word Online
Use the digital highlighter tool in Word Online to identify key information in a document.
- Select the Home tab.
- Highlight text with the cursor.
- Press the Highlight icon (marker icon)
- Choose another highlight color, if desired, by clicking the arrow next to the Highlight icon to open a drop down with a selection of colors.
Microsoft Support article: Highlight your text
Google: Digital highlighter in Google Docs
Mark main concepts in a Google Docs document by using a digital highlighter.
- Select text with your mouse cursor.
- Click the highlight color tool (marker icon) in the menu.
- Choose a highlight color.
Again, rereading and marking the text helps with understanding and assists in studying and remembering the content.
More reading comprehension tools
Explore 5 more reading comprehension strategies and technology tools that help with focus, identifying key concepts and, most importantly, understanding and remembering the information.
- Chunk text using a digital reading window
- Insert comments to restate and remember the main concepts
- Create an outline of the reading material
- Use graphic organizers to make connections
- Try a summary tool or text simplification tool
Annotation browser extensions with digital highlighters
This list is provided simply to create awareness about additional options.
Tip: You can install Chrome extensions in the Google Chrome web browser and the Microsoft Edge web browser.
Google Help instructions: Install and manage extensions
Microsoft Support instructions: Add, turn off, or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge
Diigo – An annotation tool for web pages. Once you create an account, Diigo allows you to add highlights and notes on web pages, then save the marked-up page to your library. The free version limits the amount of saved pages and does not include premium features.
Getliner – Another annotation tool for web pages. Create an account and start highlighting web pages and inserting comments for note taking. The free version limits you to 7 highlights and 3 notes per web page.
Kami – Annotation application. Install as a Chrome extension. The free version includes digital highlighting and text commenting. The paid version includes text-to-speech, digital dictionary, voice comments and more.
Scrible – An additional option for an annotation tool for web pages. Create a free account to start. Open a web page, click the Scrible extension, and use the toolbar at the bottom of the page. Use a digital highlighter to highlight text. Save the file to the library in your account. The free version has a limit of library storage space and does not include premium features.
Start your journey to greater efficiency
Are you ready to transform the way you learn, work, or manage tasks at home? My mission is to help you implement mainstream assistive technology to enhance your daily life. I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Let’s work together to identify your unique needs and preferences, and create a plan that helps you reach your goals with confidence.
Contact me today to explore how digital support tools can make a real difference in your life. Your journey to greater efficiency and empowerment can begin now.
< To Reading Toolkit page