Interacting with PDFs
One of the most frequently asked question we get is how can students interact with PDFs that are provided to them by the teacher. With the right tools, students can listen, highlight, write on them, annotate on them and even use dictate tools for speech to text.
Our district supports two tools:
- OrbitNote (browser extension)
- Microsoft Edge (built-in)
ORBITNOTE: 👉 OrbitNote is designed specifically to make PDFs accessible, interactive, and student-friendly.
With OrbitNote students can:
- 🔊 Listen to text (it reads aloud and highlights words)
- ✏️ Highlight and add notes
- 🖊️ Draw, write or type on the page
- 🎤 Leave voice comments
- 🌍 Translate and define words
- 🧾 Collect Vocab / Highlighted Lists
- 💻 Convert Non-accessible PDFs using OCR function
- 🖱️Right click any PDF and “Open with” > Edge
- 🔊 Read aloud (listen to the text)
- ✏️ Highlight important parts
- 🖊️ Draw, write or type on the page
- 📄 Fill out worksheets and save them
This is perfect when you are presenting and would like to demo an app in another window. You don’t have to minimize or close the current app to access the other.
Deleting Autocomplete Email Addresses
Have you ever noticed that Outlook sometimes automatically finds and completes email addresses for you? This is great if the email addresses are correct or relevant, but as we accumulate email addresses throughout the year, we often have “suggested” emails we no longer want. Sometimes we even accidentally click on those emails and either have an email sent to the incorrect address OR not sent at all.
Good news, these can easily be deleted. It is as easy as clicking the “X” next to the recipient’s name when the mouse is hovered over it. This will prevent the recipient’s name from showing up at the top of your list and you accidentally clicking it.
Windows Key + H – Dictate Anywhere
Do you like to use “Dictate” in the Microsoft Office products but it doesn’t work once you’re in other applications or on the internet.
💡 Did You Know…?
🔉 ⌨ Windows has a quick key combo that allows you to use speech-to-text in any text box available. This magic combo is Windows Key + H.
Want to learn more about this? Use the link below to navigate to the learn71.ca page.
Keyboard Combo to use Speech-to-Text in any Text Box> Windows Key + Letter H
If your work computer looks a little different lately, it has probably been updated to Windows 11. This brings a fresh look and a few helpful new features (but yes, the first thing I did was move the Task Bar at the bottom back to the left). Another new update-we have the opportunity to test Microsoft Copilot’s “Study & Learn” for students 13+, designed to support student understanding and practice in new ways. Here’s a quick overview to help you get comfortable with what’s new and what’s coming next… Oh, and if you are interested in bringing your class to see this year’s Code Quest Arcade at Lake Trail on May 13th let me know 😊
Here are some of the Windows 11 Changes:
📍 Start Menu is in the Center
Your Start button and apps may now be centered on the taskbar instead of the left.
👉 Want it back on the left like me?
Right-click the taskbar → click on Taskbar settings → then bar Behaviors →Taskbar alignment → Left
Easier Window Snapping
- Hover over the maximize button on any window
- Choose a layout (side‑by‑side, grid, etc.)
- Click where you want the window to snap
Great for working with email + documents at the same time!
File Explorer Has a New Look
Your files are all still there—just with updated visuals.
- New icons
- Simplified top menu
- Right-click menu is shorter
Click “Show more options” for the full version