This article explains how students can use the ExplainThis feature to break down and clarify complex words, phrases, or formulas in lessons and assignments.
Note: This feature is not available on quizzes or tests.
How to use ExplainThis
On any lesson or assignment, highlight the word, phrase, or sentence you'd like to understand better. Your cursor will turn into a highlighter icon on any page where the feature is available.
Once you've highlighted the text, choose one of three options: ExplainThis, Translate, or Read Aloud.
ExplainThis
Selecting ExplainThis breaks the highlighted text down into simpler terms and concepts.
You can also select "Chat with Spark about this" to open a chat window with Spark for further help.
Translate
Selecting Translate opens a dropdown menu of language options. Choose a language to see the translated version of the highlighted text.
Selecting "Chat with Spark about this" after translating opens a chat with Spark in the selected language (for example, Spanish).
Selecting the volume icon reads the highlighted text aloud in the selected language.
Read Aloud
Selecting Read Aloud reads the highlighted text aloud in English.
Note: Any conversation with Spark is automatically logged and accessible to teachers and administrators through the Homework Helper tab in Performance. See Using Spark, Subject.com's 24/7 Homework Helper for more information.