A digital reading window is an innovative tool designed to enhance your online reading experience by isolating one line or multiple lines of text. This focused area helps you concentrate on the material without distractions, making it easier to keep your place while reading and engage in the content. Whether you’re tackling lengthy articles or studying complex documents, a digital reading window can significantly improve your comprehension and retention. In this article, you’ll see the benefits of using this tool and how to use it to transform the way you read online.
The benefits of using a digital reading window:
- Helps keep your place in the text
- Improves concentration
- Boosts reading accuracy by removing distractions
- Increases engagement in the reading material
An advantage of using a digital reading window is that you are in control of the reading speed. You press an arrow to advance to the next line or go back to the previous line. This is different than using a text-to-speech tool that advances at the rate of the voice speed setting.
Microsoft: Line Focus in Immersive Reader in Word Online
Stay focused while reading online by using the Line Focus tool found in Immersive Reader which is built into multiple Microsoft products. Use your free Microsoft account to try it out.
- Open a document in Word Online.
- Select the View tab.
- Click Immersive Reader.
- Press the Reading Preferences (book icon).
- Enable Line Focus.
- Choose to show 1 line of text, or 3 lines, or 5 lines.
- Press the up or down arrow to advance to the next line or go back to the previous line.
Microsoft Support article: Use Line focus in Immersive Reader for Office for the web and OneNote
Tip: Immersive Reader is available in the following free Microsoft applications: Word Online, OneNote Online, Outlook Online, Microsoft Teams, Edge web browser, and the Microsoft Lens app. Read the article Where is Immersive Reader?
Google: Line focus tool extension in the web browser
Google Docs does not have a built-in line focus tool. Nevertheless, you have the option of installing a third party extension to your web browser. See the next section.
Free Reading Window Extensions
To chunk text on a web page, use a reading window extension. Extensions are available for both the Chrome web browser and the Edge web browser. Each of the web browsers can be installed on either Mac or Windows computers.
Google Help instructions: Install and manage extensions
Microsoft Support instructions: Add, turn off, or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge
MagicScroll Web Reader – Includes an underline tool, like a reading ruler, to help keep your place in the text.
Reading Ruler – Simple reading ruler that highlights a single line of text as you read online. Use the up and down arrows on your keyboard to navigate through the page. Reading Ruler is a free web browser extension.
Visor – A web browser extension that uses color overlays and a point of focus feature. Visor can be used to chunk text. Use your mouse cursor or mouse scroll wheel to navigate through the page. Free.
Other ways to keep your place while reading
- Text-to-speech with highlighting
- When reading paper materials, use a bookmark, ruler, or reading guide.
Resources
These resources are provided to create awareness about additional options, both free and subscription based.
Another free browser extensions to help keep your place while reading
BeeLine Reader – Browser extension and software plug-in that adds a color gradient to online text which helps your eyes follow the text from one line to the next. The BeeLine Reader Chrome Extension is free.
Subscription browser extensions with a line focus feature
Helperbird – A toolbar with digital support tools for reading. The Dyslexia Ruler helps readers know exactly where they are reading by providing a digital ruler/colored line to follow. Free trial period.
Kurzweil 3000 – Software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. It includes a reading ruler. Free trail period.
Read&Write – A software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. The Screen Masking tool creates a strip or ruler to provide focus to one area of the screen while darkening the rest. Free 30 day trial.
Snap&Read – Another software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. The Reading Line Guides bring focus to text by masking the reading area. Free trial period.
Note: Some educational institutions and workplaces have a subscription to these extensions as part of inclusion practices. Check to see if you already have access to these tools through your school or employer, if applicable.
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