For Mac users this capability is included. You can also save selected spoken text as an audio file to listen to later. Instructions to operate text to speech software Instructions to operate speech to text software Alternatively, search the web for ‘speech-to-text’ or ‘speech recognition’ and the name of your device for instructions on how to operate the software. The links below explain how to access these programs on a computer. This software is freely available on most computers, smart phones, and tablet devices. Fairness does not mean everyone is treated the same, rather each student is provided with what they need to enable them to successfully learn. This is like saying that children who need glasses to read can’t wear their glasses in class because it is unfair to students who don’t have glasses. Some people say that allowing students with learning disabilities to use speech-to-text software is not fair to those who don’t have a learning disability. It should complement not replace learning to read and write.Ĭlick on the links to discover how these tools have helped a Year 5 student and a University student who both struggled with literacy because of dyslexia. The student needs to have plenty of practice correcting punctuation, incorrect transcriptions and spelling errors. It can be very effective for students when researching, as the software reads highlighted text on a website, or electronic textbook aiding comprehension, and can be used to dictate assignments or essays into writing.

For students who struggle to read, write, and comprehend text such assistive software can be liberating. Alternatively, text-to-speech software turns written words into audio. Speech-to-text software takes what the individual says and turns it into written words on a computer, smart phone or tablet device. This boy is now more engaged, and excited that he can easily turn his ideas into writing. Using the software on his laptop he is now able to write two or more pages, where previously he struggled to hand in half a page of poorly written work. I was talking with a teacher recently about the power of text-to-speech software, and the big changes she’s seen not only in the output of work of one of her Year 6 students, but also his improved attitude to writing.

Dyslexia speech to text software