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Text to Speech

Enhance The Learning Process With Text-to-Speech

Now more than ever, parents and educators are looking for ways to enhance the learning process. In these trying times, the landscape of schooling has changed. What was once cut-and-dry is now a bit more complicated. Even in normal times, no method of teaching can reach every student. That means trying new methods to enhance learning and drive student engagement. One such way to achieve an enhanced learning process is through text-to-speech technology. 

Text-to-speech technology is an assistive automation technology that can convert any type of text into easy-to-understand audio. Sections of the ext can easily be highlighted or broken down as they are being read. Now more than ever, text-to-speech technology is finding its way into education, proving a beacon of hope to those students who struggle with learning disabilities and literacy. 

Who Does Text-To-Speech Technology Work For?

While any student can benefit from text-to-speech, those that benefit most tend to struggle with dyslexia or learning disabilities such as ADHD. How does it help? Essentially, text-to-speech allows children to see and visualize how words are spelled as they hear them being read out loud. Some software programs can even help students to write using predictive features and phonetic spell check tools. With programs such as Notevibes, students can hear words in both male and female voices, as well as with different dialects. All of these are important in developing language skills. 

While students with learning disabilities greatly benefit from the enhanced learning capacity of text-to-speech, students without disabilities can benefit as well. Studies have shown that students who commute or those who have limited time to read assigned materials can greatly benefit from inputting materials into text-to-speech software. Not only can it help to foster a love of language and storytelling, but it allows these students to partake in course materials they may have otherwise skipped or missed out on.

Helping Students With Autism 

Students who are on the autism spectrum have also been shown to gather benefits from text-to-speech. Research suggests that text-to-speech applications are a useful learning tool for those with autism and emotional disabilities. How does it help?

Text-to-speech can be used on any smartphone, laptop, or tablet device. Most can work on text files as well as entire web pages. This means parents or teachers educating children with autism and disabilities can utilize these tools to help with language, pronunciation, and reading comprehension. Some students are even able to use text-to-speech during normal class hours.

How is Text-to-Speech Effective?

Text-to-speech might not seem like a valuable educational tool, yet research shows that this technology gives students the ability to focus on content rather than the often frustrating act of reading. This results in a better understanding of the material in play. When students can focus on the content, they are more likely to retain information. When information is retained, confidence and motivation increase ten-fold. 

Text-to-speech also grants struggling students a bit of independence during the learning process. Since these students often require so much extra help, most of them don’t get to feel that way very often. Text-to-speech apps like Notevibes also make it easier for both parents and teachers to monitor student progress. Great strides can be made in improving word recognition and in helping students to identify their own mistakes. 

The Takeaway

While text-to-speech can not replace teachers or speech therapy, it is a tool that can enhance the learning process and effectively aid in word recognition/reading comprehension. Text-to-speech is accessible, affordable, and easy to access on a variety of platforms. That makes it a great option for students of all backgrounds. If you have a student or child struggling with a learning disability, give text-to-speech a go!

Demi Jenkins

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