1. Text to Speech Reading Systems The High Tech Center at Taft College Fall 2014 Workshop

2. Text to Speech (TTS) in Education Some Research has shown that TTS players have the potential to help struggling readers. 1 Some of the reported benefits are: - greater focus while reading - increased reading speed - higher motivation to read - easy to locate reading spot - awareness of sound-speech correspondence Every student differs, so there is not a “one-size-fits-all” TTS player Students may need some training in TTS technology to experience educational gains 1.See Balajthy, E. (2005). Text-to-speech software for helping struggling readers. Reading Online, 8(4), 1-9; Strangman, N., & Hall, T. E. (2002). Text Transformations. Wakefield, MA: NCAC. http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_textrans.html.; Hecker, L., Burns, L., & Elkind, J. (2002). Benefits of assistive reading software for students with attention disorders. Annals of Dyslexia, 52, 243-272 http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_textrans.html

3. Free Text to Speech Programs MAC - Natural Reader PC - Balabolka Firefox (Web Browser) - Speak it Chrome (Web Browser) - Chrome Speak

4. Natural Reader (Mac) www.naturalreaders.com currently on version 3 Allows reading of.txt and.rtf file formats in native player Miniboard (floating bar) offers on-the-fly reading for web and other formats

5. Balabolka (PC) (http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm)http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm currently on version 2.10 Allows importing AZW, AZW3, CHM, DjVu, DOC, EPUB, FB2, HTML, LIT, MOBI, ODT, PRC, PDF and RTF formats Website has link to HunSpell spellcheck program (free download) Very robust set of audio exporting tools Users can change the skins and adjust the colors and size of the text Users can create LRC files that can synchronize text and audio

6. Kurzweil 3000 (DSP & S) Scan and read software program that includes robust study skills tools Preserves the original layout of a document Offers a wide array of writing supports, such as word prediction and outline templates Students can use web toolbar to read text on the Internet Firefly is an iPad app that is connected to student accounts Great tool for learning another language and enhancing vocabulary in Basic Skills areas

7. For More Information… Refer students to the DSP & S department! Have students request an Intake appointment by calling x7799 (Vicky Waugh) Visit the High Tech Center website: http://www.taftcollege.edu/tcwp/accessibility/ Look out for more information in our monthly newsletter Access Technology Update Contact Joseph Polizzotto at jpolizzotto@taftcollege.edu (661-763-7977)jpolizzotto@taftcollege.edu THANK YOU!