Clearly has always been one of my favorite Chrome extensions, especially for cleaning up a cluttered and distracting web page. It's a great tool for students who are easily distracted with the additional content that shows up on many websites. Unfortunately, as of January 22, 2016, Evernote’s Clearly Google Chrome extension will no longer be supported or available for download. If you already have the extension, you will still be able to use it until it is longer compatible with future Google updates. You can read more on their site.The good news is that there are a few alternatives to Clearly that will ease the transition. Below are few you can consider for yourself and your students.
1. Readability
Readability is most similar to the Clearly Google Chrome extension and makes for an easy switch. Once you are on any webpage you would like to read, simply click on the Readability icon on your Chrome toolbar and choose Read Now. It instantly declutters the page for easy reading. It also allows you to change the font size, the width of your reading column, and has night/day options for the background.
Chrome Web Store
2. MagicScroll Web Reader
The MagicScroll Web Reader extension will open your web page in an ebook type of interface. It gives you the option to switch pages by using a left and right arrow or you have an option to scroll up or down the page. As you move down the page the text is being revealed to you from the top to bottom. It keeps a user from getting lost due to scrolling down a screen or even skipping a line of text.
Chrome Web Store
3. Beeline Reader
Not only will Beeline Reader clean up a webpage for easy reading, but it offers a color gradient font to guide your eyes from one line to the beginning of the next. It's a good option for students who struggle with dyslexia. The only caveat is that this extension will not work on pdf files.
Chrome Web Store
4. EasyReader
Readability is most similar to the Clearly Google Chrome extension and makes for an easy switch. Once you are on any webpage you would like to read, simply click on the Readability icon on your Chrome toolbar and choose Read Now. It instantly declutters the page for easy reading. It also allows you to change the font size, the width of your reading column, and has night/day options for the background.
Chrome Web Store
2. MagicScroll Web Reader
The MagicScroll Web Reader extension will open your web page in an ebook type of interface. It gives you the option to switch pages by using a left and right arrow or you have an option to scroll up or down the page. As you move down the page the text is being revealed to you from the top to bottom. It keeps a user from getting lost due to scrolling down a screen or even skipping a line of text.
Chrome Web Store
3. Beeline Reader
Not only will Beeline Reader clean up a webpage for easy reading, but it offers a color gradient font to guide your eyes from one line to the beginning of the next. It's a good option for students who struggle with dyslexia. The only caveat is that this extension will not work on pdf files.Chrome Web Store
4. EasyReader
This extension is intended for extremely long webpages. It does clean up a webpage, but you must select a section to clean up first. You will also notice that pictures will be skewed in the new format. It also doesn't offer any font options, but it does remove distracting items from the page.
Chrome Web Store
Between these 4 extension you should be able to find a suitable replacement for the Clearly Google Chrome extension. Feel free to share with me some of your favorite extensions that make your online reading experience more pleasant.
