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Text to Speech

Overview

  • Text-to-Speech (TTS) is a type of software that reads written text out loud, so people don't have to read it themselves.

  • TTS works by highlighting the text you want to hear, and then the program reads it out loud. Some programs also show the words as they’re being read and may offer extra features like a built-in dictionary or breaking words into syllables.

  • TTS helps people who have trouble reading, like those with reading disabilities or decoding issues, by allowing them to listen to the text and follow along with their eyes.


Research Summary

  • Schmitt (2011) found that listening to text with TTS didn’t improve reading      comprehension compared to reading silently.

  • Meyer (2014) observed that using TTS didn’t make a big difference in reading      speed, understanding, or fluency.

  • Park et al. (2017) showed that ninth-grade students with reading disabilities improved their reading skills and vocabulary after using TTS for 10 weeks.

  • White (2014) found that students with dyslexia who used TTS in small groups improved their motivation, reading fluency, and comprehension over six weeks.

  • Huang and Liao (2015) discovered that students learning English as a second language were able to remember more words when using TTS, which helped increase their vocabulary.

Quick Facts:


Advantages

  • Helps students with reading disabilities.

  • Useful for people with vision impairments.

  • Can assist with proofreading and editing written work.


Disadvantages

  • May be difficult to use in noisy environments


Considerations

  • A high-quality TTS voice makes it easier to understand (Cunningham, 2011). 

  • TTS works best when the voice reads at 140 to 180 words per minute (Cunningham, 2003, 2011).

  • Programs should highlight the words being read for better understanding (Montali & Lewandowski, 1996).

Product
Price
OS Compatibility
Internet Reliance

Exact prices change frequently, which is why only approximate ranges are listed. 

$ - Under $5

$$ - Between $6 and $50

$$$ - Between $51 and $250

$$$$ - Over $250

References


Csapó, Á., Wersényi, G., Nagy, H., & Stockman, T. (2015). A survey of assistive technologies and applications for blind users on mobile platforms: a review and foundation for research. Journal on Multimodal User Interfaces, 9(4), 275-286.


Draffan, E. A., Evans, D. G., & Blenkhorn, P. (2007). Use of assistive technology by students with dyslexia in post-secondary education. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 2(2), 105-116.


Forgrave, K. E. (2002). Assistive technology: Empowering students with learning disabilities. The Clearing House, 75(3), 122-126.


Huang, Y. C., Lioa, L. C. A Study of Text-to-Speech (TTS) in Children’s English Learning. Teaching English with Technology. 1, 14-30.


Meyer, N. K., & Bouck, E. C. (2014). The impact of text-to-speech on expository reading for adolescents with LD. Journal of Special Education Technology. 29(1), 21-33.


Meyer, N. K., & Bouck, E. C. (2014). The impact of text-to-speech on expository reading for adolescents with LD. Journal of Special Education Technology, 29(1), 21-33.


Park, H. J., Takahashi, K., Roberts, K.D., Delise, R., Delise, Danielle. (2017). Effects of text-to-speech software use on the reading proficiency of high school struggling readers. Assistive Technology. 29(3), 146-152.


Schmitt, A. J., Hale, A. D., McCallum, E., & Mauck, B. (2011). Accommodating remedial readers in the general education setting: Is listening‐while‐reading sufficient to improve factual and inferential comprehension? Psychology in the Schools, 48(1), 37-45. 


Written by Harrison McNaughtan and Rudra Patel, Last Revision March 2019

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