Texthelp's New OrbitNote Adds Accessibility Functions to PDF Files

Texthelp, a provider of literacy and accessibility technology, has launched a new web app called OrbitNote that adds accessibility features to PDFs, including the ability to type, highlight, and leave voice memos on documents, the company said in a news release.

“OrbitNote will allow users … to create an accessible, dynamic, and collaborative space that works for everyone,” Texthelp said.

With the growth of education technology and its myriad uses in classrooms, accessibility solutions for digital learners have become a key focus for Texthelp, whose suite of products includes literacy support tool Read&Write, digital math tool EquatiO, WriQ, Fluency Tutor, ReachDeck, and SpeechStream. OrbitNote is also compatible with Read&Write and EquatIO, the company said. A 30-day free trial of OrbitNote is available.

OrbitNote works with Google Classroom and Schoology, the company said, and over the next several months, Texthelp will expand support for additional learning management systems such as Canvas and Brightspace, according to the news release.

Key features of OrbitNote include:

  • Makes PDFs more accessible and actionable: OrbitNote provides accessibility tools such as text-to-speech, highlighting, and vocabulary support across all class content. If a PDF is image-only or unreadable, OrbitNote has a built-in scanner that will find the text and read it aloud without having to leave the PDF.
  • Provides multiple ways to demonstrate knowledge and give feedback: OrbitNote allows students to express their understanding in multiple ways. Users can type or draw their thoughts on the page, or add shapes and images to their work. Users can also highlight the key points in a comprehension piece or when studying. In the classroom, both teachers and students can use their voices to share ideas and feedback.
  • Boosts productivity, connections, and collaboration: Teachers are able to leave a quick voice note for students, providing feedback and identifying areas for improvement mid-project, rather than waiting for students to turn in the final piece. Students can use a range of tools to ask teachers for help and garner support before problems arise. Any project can become a digital space for working together, allowing collaboration between teachers and students, as well as group projects.

“We have seen education change drastically in the past two years. Many subjects and tasks that relied on pen and paper are now becoming digitized,” said Texthelp CEO Martin McKay. “I am excited for OrbitNote as it will help educators and students continue to collaborate in this new digital space. The tool will also be very helpful in regards to accessibility and eliminate barriers that often arise while using PDF files.”

For more information on OrbitNote, visit www.texthelp.com/products/orbitnote/.

About the Author

Kristal Kuykendall is editor, 1105 Media Education Group. She can be reached at [email protected].


Featured

  •  laptop on a clean desk with digital padlock icon on the screen

    Data Privacy a Top Concern as Orgs Scale Up AI Agents

    As organizations race to integrate AI agents into their cloud operations and workflows, they face a crucial reality: while enthusiasm is high, major adoption barriers remain, according to a new Cloudera report. Chief among them is the challenge of safeguarding sensitive data.

  • chart with ascending bars and two silhouetted figures observing it, set against a light background with blue and purple tones

    Report: Enterprises Are Embracing Agentic AI

    According to a new report from SnapLogic, 50% of enterprises are already deploying AI agents, and another 32% plan to do so within the next 12 months..

  • stacks of glowing digital documents with circuit patterns and data streams

    Mistral AI Intros Advanced AI-Powered OCR

    French AI startup Mistral AI has announced Mistral OCR, an advanced optical character recognition (OCR) API designed to convert printed and scanned documents into digital files with "unprecedented accuracy."

  • student using a tablet with math symbols dissolving into a glowing AI

    Survey: Students Say AI Use Can Reduce Math Anxiety

    In a recent survey, 56% of high school students said that the use of artificial intelligence can go a long way toward reducing math anxiety.