More Than Extensions: Using Chrome Tools as Meaningful Accommodations

 

Small Tools, Big Impact

Supporting diverse learners in the classroom doesn’t always require expensive software or going through layers of approval to access assistive technology. In fact, some of the most impactful accommodations are already available, built into your browser, free to install, and flexible enough to help a wide range of students.

In this post, I’ll highlight a few Chrome extensions and tools I’ve found to support students with different needs. Whether a student struggles with focus, reading comprehension, organization, or sensory overload, the right tool, combined with thoughtful implementation, can make a big difference. These aren’t just tech tricks; they’re meaningful supports that help students access learning more independently and confidently.

Helperbird: One Extension, Many Accommodations

If you’re looking for a single tool that offers multiple supports in one place, Helperbird is a fantastic starting point. This Chrome extension was designed with accessibility and personalization in mind, offering a wide range of features that support reading comprehension, focus, visual comfort, and multilingual learners.

With Helperbird, students can:

• Customize letter spacing, line height, font size, and type for improved readability. The extension also includes dyslexia-friendly fonts to support students with reading challenges.

• Use text-to-speech to listen to content from websites, Google Docs, or PDFs.

• Apply screen tinting and overlays to reduce eye strain, which is especially helpful for students prone to migraines, but also beneficial for all learners, given the amount of time we spend on screens today.

• Turn on Reading Mode, which removes ads and other visual clutter to reduce cognitive load and allow readers to focus on the reading content. 

• Translate text into multiple languages instantly, ideal for English learners navigating dense academic content.

• Use Immersive Reader integration, reading guides, and add paragraph borders to simplify text layout, highlight lines of focus, and reduce distractions.

What makes Helperbird especially useful is that students can toggle on only the features they need, creating a personalized experience that supports specific learning needs, without drawing unnecessary attention. And while these tools are incredibly effective for students with accommodations, they offer meaningful benefits for all learners, increasing independence and confidence for everyone.

Helperbird offers a generous free version with many of its core features. While the premium upgrade unlocks additional options, there is plenty of value in the free version alone, making it a practical and inclusive choice for most classrooms.

You can watch a quick overview of Helperbird's features here: Helperbird Chrome Extension Overview – YouTube

💡 Try it in the classroom:

• Start small: pick 1–2 features to introduce class-wide (such as screen tinting or text-to-speech).

• Model how to enable and use each tool, especially for younger students or those new to Chrome extensions.

• Avoid letting students turn on everything at once. There are a lot of features, and too many active at once can cause confusion.

• Invite students to reflect after a week: What did they try? What helped them focus or understand better?

• Emphasize that these tools are part of a broader toolkit available to support different learning preferences and needs, and open for all students to explore.
  
  

Mote: Voice Notes That Support Reading, Comprehension, and Classroom Connection

Mote is a Chrome extension that allows teachers and students to easily record and share voice notes within Google Docs, Slides, Forms, and other Google Workspace tools.

At first glance, Mote might seem like just a feedback tool, and it can absolutely be a great way to embed supportive, personalized comments directly into student work. However, Mote’s impact extends far beyond just audio feedback. It can also support reading comprehension, listening to directions, executive functioning, and building classroom connections through student voice.

With Mote, students can:

• Listen to recorded instructions or feedback in a familiar voice, helping reduce confusion and anxiety around written directions.

• Hear tone, inflection, and pacing, which can make complex tasks feel more approachable, especially for students with decoding, attention, or processing challenges.

• Record voice responses in Google Forms instead of typing, especially helpful for students who struggle with written expression or experience processing delays.

• Receive audio directions embedded in Docs or Slides, allowing them to replay as needed at their own pace.

• Access up to 20 recordings per month (1 minute each) using the free version.

• Listen to voice notes and translated content created by other users (free version).

⚠️ Note: If longer voice recordings are needed than the 1 minute free version, another extension called Beep is a basic alternative for simple recordings, but it doesn’t offer the same classroom integrations.

By making both instruction and reflection more personal, Mote helps students access information and express understanding in ways that fit their learning styles, all while creating stronger classroom connections through voice.

You can watch a quick overview of Mote's features here: Mote Chrome Extension Overview – YouTube 

If you have extra time, check out this awesome idea for creating audio directions paired with QR codes for classroom stations. 

💡 Try it in the classroom:

• Record audio instructions for assignments or station rotations. Pair each QR code with a visual list of materials so students can work more independently.

• Use voice notes in classroom spaces, like the library, STEM bins, or art supplies, to remind students of routines without repeating yourself.

• Embed voice recordings into digital assignments to clarify directions or provide encouragement.

• Allow students to submit voice reflections or answers in Google Forms instead of written responses.

• Explore additional lesson ideas in the Mote Learning Zone, a hub of creative uses and ready-to-go templates.

Pomodoro Timers: Focus Support That Builds Independence

For many students, the hardest part of learning isn't understanding the content; it’s staying focused and knowing where to start. This is especially true for students with ADHD or executive functioning challenges. A simple yet powerful strategy is combining a Pomodoro-style timer with a short to-do list, which helps break overwhelming tasks into manageable steps and build healthy work habits.

One tool that works well in the classroom is the Pomodoro Timer & To-Do List Chrome Extension – Boost Focus & Productivity.

With Pomodoro, students can:

• Use a built-in countdown timer to stay focused during short, timed work blocks.

• Add and check off a custom task list to visually track what they need to complete.

• Adjust work and break intervals using a settings menu to personalize their routine.

• Develop self-monitoring habits, like noticing when they lose focus and resetting with a short break.

• Build independence over time, using the extension as a structured alternative to traditional time-on-task reminders.

⚠️ Note: One limitation is that the extension must stay open on the screen, which can take up valuable space and may distract some students. For this reason, it may work best when students are using split screens (e.g., Docs on one side, timer on the other) or for short bursts of independent work with teacher support.

Beyond improving focus and task initiation, this strategy also helps students build essential time management and self-regulation skills they can carry into other academic and real-world settings. Pomodoro isn’t just a productivity tool, it also teaches students how to pace their mental energy and develop sustained focus over time.

💡 Try it in the classroom:

• Introduce the Pomodoro method during independent work time—“Work for 20 minutes, take a 5-minute movement or water break.”

• Have students create a short to-do list before each session: three steps for finishing their math activity, writing task, or research project.

• Use a class-wide timer to model the routine, then slowly release responsibility so students use their own on-screen timer and checklist.

• Encourage students to check off each item as they go, building momentum through small wins.

• Consider embedding Pomodoro-style structure into digital workspaces, such as Google Docs with built-in checkboxes, or a Slides layout with goal-setting space, or offering a non-digital version of the to-do list for students who need to step away from screens or who find the floating timer distracting.

Small Tools, Lasting Impact

Technology doesn’t have to be expensive, overwhelming, or tied to formal processes to make a difference in students’ lives. Tools like Helperbird, Mote, and a Pomodoro-style timer offer flexible, low-barrier ways to support diverse learning needs and help all students build independence, confidence, and access.

These tools aren’t just accommodations; they’re classroom strategies that benefit everyone. Whether it’s adjusting screen settings to reduce visual strain, listening to instructions instead of rereading them, or breaking a big task into three small steps, each tool helps meet students where they are.

That said, some extensions, especially for student accounts, may need to be approved or pushed out by your district’s tech team. While this extra step can be frustrating, exploring the tool first as a teacher can help you decide whether it’s worth advocating for. Many educators have successfully introduced new tools by showing their impact firsthand. It’s also worth noting that running too many extensions at once can sometimes slow down webpages or affect performance, so it’s a good idea to test tools in your classroom setup before rolling them out classwide.

As educators, we often look for ways to give students what they need without creating unnecessary hurdles. These tools do just that, and once students understand how to use them, they become part of a personal learning toolkit they can take with them from one classroom to the next.

What about you?

• Which tool do you think might support your students best?

• How could you see it being used in your classroom?

• Are there other tech tools you already use to support focus, access, or organization?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear how you’re using tech to support diverse learners!

References:

Helperbird. (2023, July 16). Helperbird – Accessibility, productivity & web features software – overview [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwT8SAJfU3E

Mladina Puljak, A. (2025, February 12). The Pomodoro Technique: A game-changer for students and teachers. Erasmus Courses Blog. https://erasmus.courses/blog/the-pomodoro-technique-a-game-changer-for-students-and-teachers/

Mote. (2021, April 29). QR codes for Slides [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjQgMKEzVKA

Mote. (2022, July 19). Mote Chrome extension | Introduction and overview [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYZNklQK34

Mote. (n.d.). Mote Learning Zone. https://www.mote.com/learning-zone

Reyes, E. (2022, September 14). Google tools to support all learners. Control Alt Achieve. https://www.controlaltachieve.com/2022/09/google-tools-to-support-all-learners.html

Robinson, A. (2022, April 25). Supporting diverse learners using Chrome features and extensions for accessibility. EdTechTeacher. https://edtechteacher.org/supporting-diverse-learners-using-chrome-features-and-extensions-for-accessibility/