OCR-Mobile Tools

 

Optical Character Recognition (OCR scanning) tools have become mobile! These are scanning applications that can be used with our assistive technology tools. This allows teachers and students to create accessible print documents, worksheets and handouts that can be used with text-to-speech technologies. Going “paperless” + increased accessibility=more flexibility for students!

An advantage of mobile applications is that they are easier to use, and sync with cloud-based platforms that are in place. Another advantage is that students can become increasingly independent with the assistive technology that they require for support.

Here are two examples of effective mobile OCR tools at EMSB:

AdobeScan: This is our recommended tool for scanning to then use with WordQ/Read and Write for Google. It’s easy to use and accurate. Please refer to Adobe Scan- Step-by-Step Guide when using Adobe Scan to scan a paper document which can then be read with WordQ.

Office Lens Android or Office Lens iOS (integrates with Office 365 platform, Word Online and WordQ). Using the camera on the mobile device, this app does OCR scanning and also has an “immersive reader” feature, in which students can read the text directly in the app. The text can then be exported to WordOnline or OneNote, where it can be used with WordQ for reading and writing.

Teacher’s Tech video: How to use Lens

 

 

 

OCR scanning in Google Suite for Education:

 

Use Orbitnote! This app transfers paper documents or inaccessible PDFs into accessible e-text that can be read and used with Read&Write. The OCR scanning tools adds the document directly into the student’s Google Drive. Please see this video for a quick demo:

Photocopy machines: most of our EMSB photocopy machines are OCR enabled when scanning. Here is a step-by-step process on how to do this. The document can then be used with WordQ or Natural Reader.

See our full Scanning for Accessibility guide for step-by-step instructions on how to scan from every device.