Available for both Mac and PCs, this software can convert and save any text-filled document into an audio file. NaturalReader, self-proclaimed as the most powerful text-to-speech reader, can turn PDFs, web pages, e-books, and even printed material into spoken word. For reading on your desktop computer or laptop. If a student selects too much text at one time they may lose focus mid-stream which will negatively impact comprehension. When using a TTS program, only select a small amount of text at any one time. Presenting the words visually and auditorily helps the student focus on the reading task and encourages deeper comprehension. Bi-modal reading is when the computer highlights the presented word as it is presented out loud (Montali & Lewandowski, 1996). When selecting a text-to-speech program, you should select one that has a bi-modal reading setting. Many students will set the voice to very high speeds to get the readings done as quick as possible, however it has been shown that having the computer present the words at a rate between 140-180 words per minute is an optimal speed for students (Cunningham, 2003, Cunningham, 2011). To preview different TTS voices and help figure out which one is most prefered by your student, visit the Acapela Group website to listen to options.Īnother major consideration is the speed at which the computer presents the text. Having a high quality TTS voice that sounds similar to a human voice will improve reading comprehension the less robotic, the better (Cunningham, 2011). One such consideration would be to ensure that students find the right TTS voice. While the research is clearly mixed, there are some ways to ensure that TTS will work for your students. Positive results were found in another study in which TTS was found to be effective in allowing students to access the reading material and was also perceived favourably by the students who used it, especially students in grades 6-8. This team offered students training in TTS software in a small-group format for six weeks, and saw improvements in motivation to read, improved comprehension, and improved fluency (White, 2014). However, one study found that students who have been diagnosed with dyslexia did benefit from the use of TTS software. Furthermore, another team of researchers found that text-to-speech technologies did not impact adolescent students ability to comprehend the reading, however the students did report that they value the increased independence that the TTS software gave them (Meyer, 2014). While this technology allows students to access the classroom material, some researchers have found mixed results on how well students are able to comprehend the text being read to them (Dalton & Strangman, 2006). What the research says about text-to-speech.ĭespite the growing popularity, the research on text to speech is somewhat unclear. Here are 10 helpful text-to-speech software and applications that are great assistive technology tools to have at the start of the school year. Text-to-speech software is often a vital resource for students with dyslexia– to aid reading, promote comprehension, and enhance overall literacy skills. In addition to TTS software, a number of vendors offer products involving hardware, including the Quick Link Pen from WizCom Technologies, a pen-shaped device that can scan and read words the Road Runner from Ostrich Software, a handheld device that reads ASCII text and DecTalk TTS from Digital Equipment, an external hardware device that substitutes for a sound card and which includes an internal software device that works in conjunction with the PC’s own sound card.Īs school approaches, parents and students alike should be aware of the resources available to them as they prepare to tackle a new grade, new year, and new learning challenges. Lucent, Elan, and AT&T each have products called “Text-to-Speech.”.Best Text To Speech Converter Mac Best Text To Speech Converter Mac There are numerous TTS products available, including Read Please 2000, Proverbe Speech Unit, and Next Up Technology’s TextAloud. TTS is often used with voice recognition programs. Current TTS applications include voice-enabled e-mail and spoken prompts in voice response systems. TTS can enable the reading of computer display information for the visually challenged person, or may simply be used to augment the reading of a text message.
Text-to-speech (TTS) is a type of speech synthesis application that is used to create a spoken sound version of the text in a computer document, such as a help file or a Web page. Best Best Text To Speech Converter Mac What is a Text To Speech.īest Text To Speech Converter Mac is an interesting statement, and will talk more about it in this post.