Can a software tool that reads the written text to its listeners
improve student learning? The answer is a “yes,” and this is how a Text
to Speech tool for educators, works. Thanks to the gradual acceptance of
innovative forms of visual and auditory tools in education, Text to
Speech (or TTS) tools are far more common in the modern-day classroom.
The
emergence of free-to-use Text to Speech tools for educators in the
eLearning space is proving to be an effective assistive technology tool
that can help both educators and students.
How does text to speech technology work and how does it boost student learning? Here’s a look.
What is the purpose of Text to Speech technology?
Text
to Speech (or TTS) is a technology that in simple terms, converts text
into audio or spoken language. Initially developed as a tool for
visually impaired people, TTS is now evolving as a tool for a variety of
purposes, including:
- Businesses to promote their content to an extended audience including those with reading or learning disabilities, and to a foreign audience with non-native language proficiency.
- Provides access to digital content on a growing number of connected devices including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.
- Enable users to “listen to content” from different sources including eBooks, blogs, PDF documents, or any informational website.
- Enhances the knowledge of users with different “learning strengths” such as visual learning, auditory learning, or a combination of both.
- Elevates the user experience for online users while accessing brand content in various formats.
How does Text to Speech Tools Work?
While
the Text to Speech technology has been in development for many decades,
its recent advancement has been greatly enabled due to the emergence of
deep learning technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and
machine learning (ML). An example of this is the success of the
AI-enabled Google WaveNet technology that can generate human voice-like
audio in around 106 voices and 21 languages.
Similarly, the
development of speech syncretization technology in TTS is majorly
powered by machine learning algorithms. Modern-day TTS technology
comprises of a frontend and backend component, that combine to provide
seamless speech synthesis. While the frontend tool manages the
conversion of text to language-based phonetics and sentences, the
backend tool converts this data into audio or natural sounds.
Next,
let’s look at the use of Text to Speech tools in the education industry
and how assistive tools in Text to Speech can boost student learning.
How does Text to Speech Tools Benefit the Education Industry?
Assistive
tools for educators like Text to Speech have the potential to transform
student learning and understanding. Among its primary benefits, Text to
Speech tools for educators enable them to impart knowledge in a format
that is comfortable for their students, thus enabling them to master any
subject.
So, in what ways do Text to Speech tools benefit educators and students? Here are some of the benefits:
Overcome reading-related issues for students
This
is particularly relevant for dyslexic students or those with
reading-related issues. The students with limited reading abilities
often struggle to maintain concentration while browsing through large
volumes of text. With the availability of TTS tools, students can start
on a reading assignment on their own, and once fatigued, switch to a TTS
tool to continue with the reading.
An effective TTS tool like
Audiofont can convert content from various sources like websites, PDF
files, educational eBooks, and other courseware into audio files that
are easier to listen to and understand.
Improves academic performance
TTS technology tools enable educators to adopt a digital platform for testing and evaluating students. For students with poor academic scores, this technology assists them to hear examination questions clearly and responds with the right answers. Additionally, they can re-examine their written answers through audio and correct any errors, thus improving their overall academic performance.
Aids special education
Apart
from benefiting students with reading-related problems, Text to Speech
tools for special education has enabled special students to overcome
problems like lack of word recognition, low attention span, and
inadequate writing and comprehension abilities. TTS tools work as an
assistive technology for students with learning disabilities to overcome
their limitations and improve their overall understanding of the
subject rather than just the written words or sounds.
As a use
case, the Audiofont TTS tool enables students to slow down the speech
rate of the spoken text, thus enabling them to grasp the subject at a
comfortable pace.
Enables smart education
In
addition to facilitating students with learning disabilities, Text to
Speech tools also works for smart education in more than one way.
Depending on the TTS tool, students can choose to hear educational
content in different voices and the language of their choice. Assistive
TTS technology can boost the student’s confidence and independence and
encourage them to pursue their learning in a particular subject.
As
an example, students can independently access academic content on
various subjects (for example, “20th-century history”) from a variety of
online TTS-enabled devices.
Increased mobility
Text
to Speech tools for educators can be used to convert content and
download in multiple audio file formats. This audio content can be
shared across multiple social media platforms, thus making it convenient
for students to continuously learn by tuning in to their personal
devices while on the move.
TTS tools like Audiofont do not
restrict learning to the classroom environment. For instance, students
can copy their learning content on the Audiofont smartphone app and
listen to the converted audio file at their own convenience.
These
are just some of the major benefits of Text to Speech tools for
educators and students and how it can facilitate improved learning and
curriculum management.
However, how exactly can you include
assistive TTS tools in the modern classroom environment? Let’s discuss
that in the next section.
How to incorporate Assistive Text to Speech Tools in the Classroom?
As
discussed in the earlier sections, assistive TTS tools can work to the
benefit of students with reading difficulties or learning disabilities.
Thanks to rapid improvements in its underlying technologies, there are
many free and paid TTS tools like Natural Reader and Snap&Read that
can be easily downloaded and used by students on their personal devices.
Free
to download and use, the Audiofont tool can be added as a Google Chrome
browser extension and used by students in the eLearning domain or the
traditional classroom setting.
Additionally, modern-day computers
and tablets come bundled with their own TTS software tools and can be
used in any classroom environment.
Irrespective of the TTS tool
that is used in classrooms, it must fulfill the following requirements
in order to maximize academic learning in each student:
Provide a human-like voice in the audio file
Instead of sounding very robotic, your TTS tool must render a very human-like voice in the audio sound output. This works towards improving listening and comprehension skills in the student.
Supports multiple types of voices
Additionally,
your assistive TTS tool must support multiple voice formats any of
which can be selected according to the student’s preference. The right
voice in TTS tools can facilitate greater child participation in the
learning process and improve their attention span.
The Audiofont tool supports both “male” and “female” voices through a simple tool setting.
Allows speed settings in audio playback.
This
is another major requirement in any assistive TTS tool. While a “high”
speed setting can limit the student’s understanding, “low” speeds can
frustrate or “bore” most students. An optimal speed of around 140 to 180
words per minute is ideal for enhanced learning.
The Audiofont TTS tool allows you to set or change audio speed settings according to the student’s convenience or preference.
Support for Bi-modal reading
Remember
the Bedtime stories that Dads or Moms read out to their children while
making it so interesting thanks to the use of colorful pictures and
simple words. Bi-modal reading is very similar to bedtime stories as
they combine both visual images and auditory sounds to grab student
attention and improve comprehension skills.
Assistive TTS tools can support bi-modal reading by highlighting the words as it is being read out by the tool.
