Text-Reading Software
Pat Campbell
Action Read, a community literacy centre in Guelph, Ontario, launched
a study to
explore whether text-reading software could help literacy learners. This
type of software
uses a computer synthesized voice to read aloud any onscreen text selected
by the
learners. The study evaluated six different types of text-reading software
using the
following criteria:
- features
- popularity with students
- ease of independent use
- technical flaws
- cost
The six software packages that were evaluated are listed
and briefl y described below:
Kurzweil 3000
Can read aloud electronic fi les, using synthetic speech. $395.00
Write:OutLoud
A speaking word processor with simple formatting tools. $158.00
Co:Writer
4000
Predicts a typist’s next word, and provides spoken feedback. $520.00
Read & Write
A text-reader with additional features and a friendly interface $349.00
ReadPlease
A simple, straightforward, inexpensive text-reader $ 80.00
Zoom Text Level
2
Features high contrast options and magnifi cation. $719.00
The evaluators
highly recommended ReadPlease, because of its low cost and ease of use.
The software package Write:OutLoud 3.0 was not recommended because of
its limited
features and many flaws.
The results of this study indicate that text-reading
technology can be integrated into class
rooms and one-to-one instruction. One of the major benefi ts of this
software is that
students can read text that would normally be at their "frustration"
level. The
text-reading software also includes learning tools that encourage independent
learning
and increases motivation.
To obtain the full-text document for this study,
visit the Directory of Canadian Adult Literacy Research in English at http://www.nald.ca/crd/. The document
provides
detailed descriptions and ordering information for the six software
packages.
Reference: Action Read (2002). Literacy and adaptive technology
project. A one-year
field test of text-reading software with adult literacy learners.
Guelph, ON: Author.
Visunet Canada
VISUNET is a partnership, which links the resources of
the Canadian National Institute for
the Blind Library with your Public Library. It serves anyone who is unable
to use print
because of a visual or physical handicap, or a learning disability as
defi ned by the
Canadian Copyright Act. Other services which are available through Visunet
Canada are:
VisuCAT: The CNIB’s online library catalogue
VisuTEXT: Books, encyclopedias, and other information resources on the
internet.
VisuNEWS: Telephone and Internet access to
a variety of daily newspapers.
For more information about Visunet Canada:
http://www.cnib.ca/library/visunet/index.htm
ZoomText Xtra Level 2
Magnification up to 16 times and speech: $595
Download a free demo:
http://www.aroga.com/lowvision_downloads.asp |