Text to Speech

Text-to-Speech & Editing

On your blog give some thought to the idea of using text-to-speech as part of the editing process.

A blog posting should include: 1) personal observations/feelings/preferences  2) Take a position  3) support with references

I used to the TextHelp! Screen reader in order to evaluate this type of tool and how it can be used to improve or assist students with the writing process.   I found that this was an extremely helpful tool to use in making the writing process more accessible to students who may be auditory learners, ESOL students or students with disabilities.  

As I am writing this, I am using the text help screen reader it really helps me to think about and informally edit what I am thinking and typing as I am writing. 

When I was teaching writing to third graders, during my editing conferences  as the students began to read aloud what they wrote they realized that it did not make sense.   Without prompting, students would not read back their writing on their own.  So having them use this tool as they are writing would have greatly helped them to make sure that their writing made sense and was understandable.

This tool can also help students with sounding out and trying unfamiliar words or vocabulary and by hearing them read aloud, they can ensure that they are using the word correctly in the context it was meant.

Research shows that this software when combined with word prediction can have a positive effect on student's writing.  In a 2010 study by Silio & Barbetta, they found that text to speech alone did not have a significant effect on ESOL student's writing and word fluency, but when combined with word recognition, it could be a powerful tool for writing instruction.

Reference:

Silió, M., & Barbetta, P. (2010). The Effects of Word Prediction and Text-to-Speech Technologies on the Narrative Writing Skills of Hispanic Students with Specific Learning Disabilities. Journal Of Special Education Technology, 25(4), 17-32.