Screen Reader: Text-to-Speech

Screen reader (Speech synthesizer): Any of many software/hardware applications that convert computer generated text to artificial speech that is spoken through speech synthesizers or the computers speakers.  A screen reader program assists someone in “reading” text with the addition of being able to hear the text (book, paper, document, or article).  Screen readers are a form of assistive technology software that converts text into audible words using phonic rules.  This “reading” of the paper provides information to the reader in multiple intelligence forms of text, sound, and movement (as the text being read is highlighted), likely improving the reading speed, comprehension and retention of the material.

A common test of the capabilities of a screen reader is to have it read the sentences:
“I will read the book later.  I have read that book.”

Activities:

• Organize a play with voices
• Create new words to play with phonological rules
• Identify the voice closest to human speech
• Test the accuracy of synthetic speech
• Revise writing through listening
• Learning to read numbers
• Assist in the reading of articles, short stories
• Use to build/test reading speed
• Assist in pronunciation
• Read books from web-based libraries

Screen readers

ReadPlease -- free

HELP Read -- free

Text-help

DecTalk

Intellitools/Intellitalk

CAST e-Reader

For more information, links, and resouces visit http://www.unf.edu/~tcavanau/research/aet/screen.htm