Mote is a new Google extension available in the Chromestore now. This extension is life changing for teachers working hard to keep up with remote learning during COVID-19 closures. Mote allows you to record voice comments within Google docs, sheets, slides and classroom. Once you have added the extension from the Chrome Store, anytime you click to comment on these platforms, you will see the option of pushing the purple MOTE button to record your voice. You can adjust your settings to include (and edit) a transcript of what you are saying, or just record the audio.
This Google extension will be very valuable to special education teachers and reading teachers looking to provide feedback that they know students will understand. Every student can likely appreciate hearing his/her teacher’s voice, after having been isolated for so long. Foreign language teachers will also appreciate this tool as they give feedback to students within documents.
Students working with parents at home will not necessarily have to download the extension to hear the recordings, yet they will be redirected to a site where the audio is stored and are still able to listen. Ideally, student would add the extension themselves and then be able to record their own comments/responses to teachers. This would be great for students who might struggle to type and spell. Students are given the opportunity to easily download the extension, in which case they can then push the purple MOTE “play” button, as in the example above, and hear or respond to the teacher feedback. For younger students, adding an extension from the Chromestore might be tricky without direct teacher support, especially if it’s their first time, but a simple recorded tutorial would help.
The MOTE Google extension is a MUST for teachers during this time. I’m excited for how well it will help me in my instruction moving forward.
A. Charland LIS 568 