Overview

Now that you’ve created personalized content for each student using GPT for Sheets (from Part 1), this guide shows you how to turn that content into powerful student-centered activities using three essential tools:

1. Autocrat – Automatically distribute personalized documents to students
2. Mote – Enable voice recording for speaking practice
3. Read & Write – Help students build personalized vocabulary lists

Tool 1: Autocrat – Automated Document Distribution

What is Autocrat?

Autocrat is a free mail merge tool that takes your spreadsheet data and automatically creates personalized Google Docs for each student. Think of it as a bridge between your differentiated content spreadsheet and individual student assignments.

Installation

1. Open your Google Sheet with the differentiated content
2. Go to Extensions → Add-ons → Get add-ons
3. Search for “Autocrat“
4. Click Install from Autocrat by CloudLab
5. Accept the permissions when prompted

Step 1: Create Your Document Template

Before using Autocrat, you need a template document:

1. Open a new Google Doc
2. Design your assignment layout
3. Add merge tags where you want personalized content:
   • Use double angle brackets: <<tag_name>>
   • Match your spreadsheet column headers exactly (case-sensitive)

Example Template:

Name: <<First Name>>
Date: _____________

Please read the following story and highlight this week's vocabulary words.

<<Story>>

Under the story, write your own short story about going to see <<Musician>> in concert with <<Actor>>.

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

Step 2: Set Up Autocrat

1. In your spreadsheet, go to Extensions → Autocrat → Open
2. Click New Job (red button)
3. Follow the setup wizard:

Step-by-Step Configuration:

Step 1 – Name Your Job

• Give it a descriptive name like “Custom Stories Vocab Search” or whatever you think is appropriate.
• Remember that later you can even customize the name of each document sent to each student with the << >> brackets

Step 2 – Choose Template

• Select “Choose template from Drive”
• Find and select your template document
• Click Next

Step 3 – Map Your Tags

• Autocrat will show your template tags
• Match each tag to the correct spreadsheet column:
  • <<First Name>> → First Name column
  • <<Story>> → Story column
  • <<Musician>> → Favorite Musician column
  • <<Actor>> → Favorite Actor column
• Click Next

Step 4 – Name Your Files

• Create a naming pattern like: <<First Name>> - Custom Story Week 1
• Choose file type: Google Doc or PDF
• Click Next

Step 5 – Choose Destination Folder

• Select or create a folder in your Google Drive
• This is where all documents will be saved
• Click Next

Step 6 – Set Merge Conditions (Optional)

• Skip this unless you want to merge only certain rows
• Click Next

Step 7 – Configure Sharing

• Choose whether to email documents to students
• Set up email if desired (requires email addresses in spreadsheet)
• Click Save

Step 3: Run Your Merge

1. Click the play button (▶️) to run the merge
2. Or click the eye icon to preview just the first row
3. Autocrat will create a document for each student
4. New columns will appear in your spreadsheet with links to the created documents

Pro Tips:

• Always preview before running the full merge
• Save your job settings for reuse with future assignments

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Tool 2: Mote – Voice Recording Integration

What is Mote?

Mote is a Chrome extension that allows students to record their voice directly into Google Docs. Perfect for pronunciation practice, speaking assessments, and oral presentations.

Installation

1. Visit the Mote Chrome Web Store page
2. Click Add to Chrome
3. Click Add Extension when prompted
4. Create a free account when the extension opens

Using Mote for Speaking Activities

For Teachers: Setting Up the Activity

1. Share the personalized Google Docs created by Autocrat with students
2. Include instructions for recording:
   • Instructions:
   • 1. Highlight the paragraph you want to read
   • 2. Click the Mote button (purple M)
   • 3. Select "Add hypermote"
   • 4. Record yourself reading clearly5. Click "Insert" when done

For Students: Recording Their Voice

1. Open their personalized document
2. Highlight the text they want to read (e.g., a paragraph from their custom story)
3. Click the Mote extension (purple M icon)
4. Select “Add hypermote”
5. Click the microphone button to start recording
6. Read the text clearly
7. Click stop when finished
8. Listen to preview (optional)
9. Click “Insert” to add the recording to the document

The text will now be underlined, indicating a voice recording is attached. After they send it to you, when you click on it, you can listen to the recording.

Tool 3: Read & Write – Building Personalized Vocabulary

What is Read & Write?

Read & Write is a comprehensive literacy support tool. We’ll focus on its vocabulary list builder feature, which helps students create personalized study materials.

Installation

1. Visit the Read & Write Chrome Web Store page
2. Click Add to Chrome
3. Click Add Extension
4. The toolbar will appear when you open a Google Doc

Creating Personalized Vocabulary Lists

Step 1: Prepare the Document

1. Students open their personalized story (created by Autocrat)
2. Click the Read & Write icon to open the toolbar
3. Make sure the toolbar is pinned (click the pin icon on the left)

Step 2: Highlight Vocabulary

1. Students read through their personalized story
2. Use the Highlighter tools (different colors available):
   • Yellow for verbs
   • Green for nouns
   • Blue for adjectives
   • Pink for new/unknown words
3. Highlight words they want to study

Step 3: Build the Vocabulary List

1. Click the Vocabulary List icon in the Read & Write toolbar
2. Select which highlight colors to include
3. Choose sorting options (by color, alphabetical, or document order)
4. Click Create

What the Vocabulary List Includes:

• Word – The highlighted term
• Dictionary Definition – Automatic definition
• Picture – Visual representation (from Widgit Symbols)
• Notes – Space for students to add their own notes

Step 4: Study and Customize

Students can:

• Add their own definitions in simpler language
• Write example sentences using the words
• Add translations in their native language
• Include memory tricks or associations

Additional Read & Write Features:

• Picture Dictionary: Visual definitions for better understanding
• Text-to-Speech: Hear words pronounced correctly
• Translator: Get translations in multiple languages
• Simplify: Make complex text easier to understand

Creating Study Materials:

The vocabulary list becomes a personalized study guide that students can:

• Print out for offline study
• Share with study partners
• Use for quiz preparation
• Add to throughout the semester

Putting It All Together: Complete Workflow

Teacher Preparation:

1. Create differentiated content using GPT for Sheets (Part 1)
2. Design template in Google Docs with merge tags
3. Run Autocrat to generate personalized documents
4. Share documents with students via Google Classroom or email

Student Activities:

1. Receive personalized document with content about their interests
2. Read and highlight vocabulary using Read & Write
3. Create vocabulary list for study
4. Record themselves reading using Mote
5. Complete writing assignment in the same document

Assessment Options:

• Listen to Mote recordings for pronunciation assessment
• Review vocabulary lists to track learning
• Check written responses for comprehension
• Use the same tools for peer review activities

Troubleshooting

Autocrat Issues:

• “Loading” forever: Refresh the page and try again
• Tags not working: Check for exact spelling and case matching
• Missing merge: Ensure all required columns have data

Mote Issues:

• Can’t record: Check microphone permissions in Chrome
• No Mote button: Refresh the document after installation
• Recording cuts off: Free version has time limits

Read & Write Issues:

• Toolbar missing: Click Extensions icon and pin Read & Write
• Features grayed out: Some features require premium version
• Vocabulary list empty: Make sure to highlight words first

Cost Considerations

Free Options:

• Autocrat: Completely free
• Mote: Free tier includes 20 recordings/month
• Read & Write: 30-day free trial, then limited free features

Paid Upgrades:

• Mote Premium: Unlimited recordings, transcription features
• Read & Write Premium: Full feature access including unlimited vocabulary lists

Best Practices

1. Start Simple: Try one tool at a time before combining
2. Create Templates: Save document templates for different unit types
3. Student Training: Spend one class period teaching the tools
4. Provide Examples: Show sample completed assignments
5. Build Gradually: Start with basic features, add complexity over time

Resources

• Autocrat Documentation: CloudLab Autocrat
• Mote Tutorials: mote.com/help
• Read & Write Training: Texthelp Academy
• Original Tutorial Series: brentgwarner.com/differentiate

Next Steps

With these three tools, you’ve transformed static differentiated content into interactive, multimodal learning experiences. Students aren’t just reading – they’re speaking, building vocabulary, and creating their own content.

The beauty of this system is that once set up, it runs almost automatically, giving you more time to focus on what matters most: teaching and supporting your students’ individual growth.

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For more innovative teaching strategies and the complete differentiation series, visit brentgwarner.com/updates