WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS TUTORIAL? 

The purpose of this tutorial is to show how to locate the Immersive Reader feature in Canvas. The Microsoft Immersive Reader enhances the reading experience by improving accessibility, providing translation, and boosting reading comprehension.

Where is it available? 

Canvas Immersive Reader is available on the following standard Canvas screens:

• Canvas Pages

• Canvas Assignments (Instructions only)

• Canvas Syllabus

• Course Home Page

It is NOT available in the following tools:

• Canvas Discussions: It cannot read discussion threads or replies.

• Canvas Quizzes: It is not available for Classic or New Quizzes.

• External Tools (LTI): It cannot read content embedded from Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, or other third-party apps.

   

Step 1: Pages

• In Course Navigation, click the Pages link.

• By default, Pages displays the set front page for your course. 
• To view all pages in your course, click the View All Pages button. 

• To view a page, click the page title.

• Click on the Immersive Reader button located on the top right hand corner of the page..

Step 2: Assignments

• In Course Navigation, click the Assignments link.
  
  

• Select the desired assignment 

   

• 

• Click on the Immersive Reader button located on the top right hand corner of the page..

Step 3: Syllabus

• In Course Navigation, click the Syllabus link.

• 

• Click on the Immersive Reader button located on the top right hand corner of the page..

Step 4: View Immersive Reader

The Microsoft Immersive Reader displays a variety of tools and options to enhance your reading experience while on the Canvas page.

1. You can manage text, grammar, and reading preferences using the toolbar.
2. To hear the page text read aloud, click the Play button.
3. To adjust audio settings, click the Voice Settings button.
4. To close the reader and return to Canvas, click the Exit button.

Immersive Reader for Canvas includes these capabilities: 

• Visual Customization: Adjust font size, text spacing, and background themes (like dark mode) to reduce eye strain.

• Syllable Splitting: Break words into syllables to assist with decoding and pronunciation.

• Grammar Tools: Highlight parts of speech (nouns, verbs, etc.) with color-coding and text labels.

• Reading Fonts: Choose from three readability-optimized fonts: Calibri, Sitka, and Comic Sans.

• Audio Playback: Read text aloud with adjustable speeds and male/female voice options.

• Line Focus: View text in one, three, or five-line segments to increase concentration.

• Picture Dictionary: Click words to view a supporting image and hear the word read aloud.

• Global Translation: Instantly translate individual words or the entire page into over 100 languages.

Note: For more details about the Microsoft Immersive Reader functionality, visit the Microsoft Immersive Reader website.

This document was created for Irvine Unified School District by the Information Technology Department.

If you have any questions, submit a new ticket or email us at helpdesk@iusd.org. 

(Updated 3/04/26 KK)