Verbose Software - Literacy Web Tool

ED 625 Module 6 Literacy Web Tool Modeling

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     I researched several different web-based literacy development tools, including mind mapping, text to speech, speech to text, multimedia CD storybooks, text and pictures (rebus), audiobooks, e-books, and electronic resources (online versions of dictionaries, thesauri, and encyclopedias, etc.). The one that I would use first with my English Language Learners and students with learning disabilities is text to speech. This is very similar to the concept of an audiobook in that a digital voice (patterned after a real human) is reading the text aloud while the student reads (silently or aloud). What makes the text to speech tool superior to an audiobook is that the speech changes color as the digital voice is reading. For example, if all of the text is black, then the active word that the student is currently reading would be highlighted in a contrasting color such as yellow or red. This helps the students keep pace with the book. I found this highlighting feature more prevalent with the paid text to speech programs than with the free ones. Almost all of the speech to text sites offer a download option in a format such as mp3 so that students can save the file and use it at their leisure. This would allow students to save the file and listen to it repeatedly at home, if necessary, until they gained the full meaning of the text.

     To show my students how text to speech works, I would assign them an article from a site such as Newsela, “Art and science intersect at the School of the Art institute.” (Brotman, 2015) Then I would direct the English Language Learners, the struggling readers, and the students with a reading disability to a text to speech site. The students would copy the text from the article and paste it into the box on the text to speech site. The site would then read the article to the students. Using headphones, the students could read along with the digital reader and this would increase their comprehension of the material as well as their decoding and pronunciation skills. The great thing about using an article from Newsela is that if the students who read on a lower level have a problem with the story, they can always get the same article at a level that is more appropriate for their success. After the students were done reading the article, they would have to answer questions about the text that they read using the text to speech reader.

     The pros of using a text to speech tool are that the sites offer the option to read the text aloud, immediately as well as the option to download the audio version of the text and save it to mp3 format. The mp3 format is portable so that students can listen on their tablet or cell phone while they are on the go. Another positive about the software is that it is very easy to set up and activate. Within minutes of downloading the software, students will have it up and running. Students have the ability to alter the speed, pitch and volume of the text reading and in some cases, they can choose an avatar to read that is male or female, based on their preference. Students can download new voices as they fit to keep the reading interesting. Using different voices to read the same material also helps the students to decipher slight variances in speech patterns and solidify pronunciations while developing their own speech style. Finally, students can use the text to speech software with Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and other text-based programs.

     The cons of using a text to speech tool are that without scaffolding, the students could begin to use the software as a crutch. The cost is also a con. The Verbose program is approximately $40; however, the teacher would need several copies - one copy for each student. There is another program called Dragon Naturally Speaking which costs over $100. Unless there is a sponsor or an anonymous donor, the cost of these types of programs might hinder some teachers or students from purchasing them. I have also read that the Verbose program does not uninstall and it is constantly running in the background. This could lead to slowing down of the current system and pure frustration once the students are done with the program and want to move on to something else.  

     Other than those minor issues, I think the text to speech software is a great tool to use for students who struggle with reading.

References

Brotman, B. (2015, April 8). Art and science intersect at the School of the Art Institute. Retrieved from Newsela: https://newsela.com/articles/scienceart-institute/id/8422/

H. Silver-Pacuilla, K., Ruedel, K., & Mistrett, S. (2004). A Review of Technology-Based Approaches or Reading Instruction: Tools for Researchers and Vendors. National Center for Technology Innovation, 1-49.

McLaughlin, M. (2015). Content Area Reading: Teaching and Learning for College and Career Readiness. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.