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Give Text Leveling a Try with AI

Updated: 4/22/2024

Step into the future. Artificial intelligence (AI) is taking center stage in transforming complex information into easily digestible content – a concept known as “text leveling.”

Educators use text leveling to meet the needs of learners at different reading levels. Manual text leveling is time consuming. Now with AI, anyone can quickly summarize and simplify reading material to make information easier to read, comprehend, and recall.

Pros of text leveling:

  • Summarizing reading material into shorter paragraphs or key points makes the information digestible and helps maintain engagement
  • Rewording information using simpler vocabulary and less complex sentences allows for easier reading, comprehension, and recall

Con of text leveling:

Relevant information could be omitted or changed in a way that could impact the learning objective or the knowledge that you are seeking.

Text leveling can be used to boost your own comprehension and recall of information. Be cautious about distributing the modified text to others. Laws are in place to protect authors and content creators from copyright infringement. Consider the points in these articles: Measuring Fair Use: The Four Factors and A Teacher’s Guide to Copyright and Fair Use.

Now, let’s uncover the magic behind using AI for text leveling. Below are instructions for using Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini to simplify content.

Microsoft Copilot: Text Leveling

Step 1

  1. Copy a website address or copy a section of text from a website or electronic document.
  2. Go to https://copilot.microsoft.com/
  3. In the “Ask me anything” field, type “summarize (insert text or web address).”
  4. Wait for a response.
In the text field on the Microsoft Bing Copilot webpage, the prompt "summarize the key points" is typed followed by a web address from NASA on hurricanes.
Step 1: Use Microsoft Bing Copilot to summarize the key points from an internet article

Step 2

  1. Now in the “Ask me anything” field, type “write in plain language.”
  2. Wait for a response.
Screenshot of Microsoft Bing Copilot. A summary of the article titled "A Force of Nature: Hurricanes in a Changing Climate" on NASA's website is shown in a window. In a text field, the following words are typed "write in plain language."
Step 2: Use Microsoft Bing Copilot to simplify the language
Screenshot of a 7 sentence long paragraph. It is the result of requesting Microsoft Bing Copilot to summarize an internet article and simplify the language.
Summarized and simplified article from NASA’s website. The result is a 7 sentence long paragraph.

Read the summarized and simplified text. If the result does not suit your needs, start again and modify the prompts. For example, instead of using the term “plain language,” you could ask for the text to be rewritten at a certain grade level.

Google Gemini: Text Leveling

Note: Google Bard was renamed Google Gemini on Februrary 8, 2024.

Step 1

  1. Open a web browser and go to https://gemini.google.com/app.
  2. In the “Enter a prompt here” field, type “summarize (insert text or web address).”
  3. Wait for a response.
In the text field on the Google Bard webpage, the prompt "summarize the key points" is typed followed by a web address from NASA on hurricanes.
Step 1: Use Google Gemini to summarize the key points from an internet article

Step 2

  1. Then in the “Enter a prompt here” field, type “write in plain language.”
  2. Wait for a response.
Screenshot of Google Bard. Both the prompt "summarize the key points" and the summary of the article titled "A Force of Nature: Hurricanes in a Changing Climate" on NASA's website is shown at the top and middle of the screenshot. In a text field at the bottom, the following words are typed "write in plain language."
Step 2: Use Google Gemini to simplify the language
Screenshot of 6 bullet points. It is the result of requesting Google Bard to summarize an internet article and simplify the language.
Summarized and simplified article from NASA’s website. The result gives 6 bullet points.

Read the summarized and simplified text. If the result does not suit your needs, start again and modify the prompts. For example, instead of using the term “plain language,” you could ask for the text to be rewritten at a certain grade level.

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Resources

These resources are provided to create awareness about addition options for text-leveling. It is a curated list of websites, web browser extensions, and applications listed in alphabetical order.

Websites

Rewordify – For text simplification, try the Rewordify website. Insert text or paste a webpage address into a field at the top of the page. Within seconds, higher level vocabulary words will be replaced with simpler words or phrases to increase understanding of the text. Free.

Shorten & Translate by Text United – The Shorten web browser extension will analyze a web page and then present a summary of the information in a pop-up window. Use the slider to see a 25%, 50% or 75% summary. Free.

Text Compactor – For a summary of reading material, try the Text Compactor website. Paste text into a field, then use a slider to adjust the percentage of text to be viewed in the summary. Free.

SummarizingTool.net – Paste text into the text box. Use a slider to select the amount of condensing you prefer.

Paraphraser.io – Free website with Pro purchase options. Paste text into a text box on the left. Press a button to view either summarized or paraphrased text in a text box on the right.

Applications and web browser extensions

Brisk Teaching – Includes a tool for adjusting the reading level to fit students’ needs. Web browser extension. Free for teachers.

MagicSchool AI – The Text Leveler Tool in the MagicSchool AI makes instructional materials more accessible and suitable for students with varying reading levels and skills. AI platform. Free account and premium account for teachers.

Read&Write – A software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. The Rewordify feature simplifies the readability of onscreen text, without changing the meaning. Read&Write can be installed as a browser extension. Free 30 day trial.

Snap&Read – Snap&Read is software for reading and writing support. It includes a text leveling tool. Snap&Read is also offered as a browser extension. Free trial period.

Offline strategy for text-leveling

Purchase high interest, low readability books from publishing companies. View the hi-lo reading publisher list and a list of hi-lo books for adults.

Article on text leveling

Technology Feature Brief: Manual Text Leveling

Additional 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.

  1. Chunk text using a digital reading window
  2. Highlight key information with a digital highlighter
  3. Insert comments to restate and remember the main concepts
  4. Create an outline of the reading material
  5. Use graphic organizers to make connections 

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