Naturalreader
Features
Natural Reader is a text-to-speech software that converts written text into spoken words. It supports various document formats, including PDFs and Word documents, and offers multiple voices and languages. Natural Reader includes features like OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for reading scanned documents and integration with other applications, making it accessible for individuals with reading difficulties or for enhancing auditory learning experiences in education and beyond.
Use
NaturalReader is a downloadable text-to-speech tool for any student who struggles with reading, has a cognitive disability, or simply would benefit from having text read aloud. Once downloaded, the tool can be used anywhere by simply selecting -- or copying/pasting -- text.
Description of the use in class
Natural Reader takes written text from MS Word, emails, Internet Explorer, scanned books, or even images from a camera phone and turns it into spoken text. This is an incredible tool for special needs students, there is even a dyslexic font you can turn off and on. Just highlight the section you want to read aloud, and your choice of voice will read it aloud. The voice choice and speed are adjustable. Turning written text into MP3 or WAV files is another option. Typing/pasting in the text box allows any text to be read aloud.
age
Natural readers can be used from all age groups, including the target group of 6-9 years.
Learning outcomes
As students highlight text and hear it read aloud, they're likely to be excited about getting information that may have been more difficult to access before. That's a big deal. NaturalReader can be very empowering - any student who could benefit from reading assistance is likely to find it both useful and engaging. Kids will feel empowered as they hear the reader in action. They'll gain access to material that was previously out of their reach.
Reviews / Recommendations
All research for Natural readers are positive. In the classroom, teachers usually use it with students (who study English as a Foreign Language), and with students who have special educational needs. They listen to short paragraphs, texts, poems, etc., created by them or by others. It's also good for them to use at home or on-the-go.
Example of the tool as a good practice
This program allows students with decoding difficulties to focus on comprehension on all texts. Natural Reader offers repeated readings to improve fluency, comprehension, and confidence. It can add an extra learning dimension to any textbook or written notes. Students needing learning support, students studying ESL, dyslexic students, or ADHD learners have shown marked improvement with the usage of this tool. Teachers can add extra reinforcement with directions by recording and being available for playing multiple times, and at the same time to include the link on class website for students (and parents) to enable access at home.
Inclusion
NaturalReader could be used by a very diverse audience. NaturalReader could be used as a speech synthesizer for persons with cerebral palsy or other communication disorders. It could be used as a text-to-speech device for visually impaired individuals. The auditory output combined with visual cueing would be useful to help children and adults with attention deficit disorder attend better to text. The auditory output could also assist users with reading disabilities to decode text. The reviewer found the software especially useful for editing writing. NaturalReader would improve classroom interactions by allowing disabled individuals equitable access to written text. It would also allow children with speech difficulties, who are equipped with portable computers, to communicate with their peers with real time, face-to-face computer mediated communication.