Perform a quick Google search of “text to speech” and you’ll find dozens of results flooding the page. While it is always good to have a myriad of options, it can make choosing the right text to speech service for students a trying task. After all, not every service will boast the same features, nor might they be right for a certain type of learner. Below, we’ve broken down a few key questions to ask when attempting to choose the right text to speech service for yourself, your child, or a student.
Questions To Ask When Choosing The Right Text To Speech Service
Is the student visually impaired?
One of the biggest things to consider when choosing a text to speech service is whether or not the student in mind is visually impaired. Visually impaired students require very accurate text-to-speech services that can be read in a variety of tones and voices. It is especially important during testing and literacy methods. Applications such as Notevibes.com and Natural Reader are a great place to start with a visually impaired student.
Does the student have a reading based disability?
Once again, when choosing the right text-to-speech service it is important to keep student limitations in mind. A reading-based learning disability affects a student’s ability to read with fluency, decode, and to understand text that is decoded. Determining the scope and nature of these challenges can help to determine what type of text-to-speech platform is best. If reading is a struggle, you may want to stick with a text-to-speech platform geared towards literacy and education, avoiding those that are designed for more professional environments.
Is the student an English learner?
One big thing any teacher or parent should consider is whether or not the student is an English learner or an English-as-second-language learner. Some text-to-speech platforms have great language capacity which can help students struggling to learn a new language. Others do not have great language capacity and that should be taken into account when choosing the right service for your student.
Does the student have an easier time reading on their own or being read to?
Some students retain information best when reading silently on their own. Other students cannot comprehend content when reading alone and need to be read-to or utilize text-to-speech. If a student has an easier time being read to, you’ll want to find a text-to-speech platform that can handle e-publications for books. This can allow you to find downloadable content of the classroom materials and put that into use. Students who do the best reading on their own will likely not need text-to-speech services at all.
The Takeaway
Asking yourself a few key questions before buying or utilizing a text-to-speech platform can help you to find the service that will work best for the student or child in mind. Since not every platform utilizes the same features, there is no one-size-fits-all option. Know your budget, your student’s needs, and any limitations that exist. With all of those things in mind, you’ll find the service that helps your child to excel and reach their full potential!
