How TTS Helps Students Reading Below Grade Level:

• Improved Reading Comprehension: TTS can enhance reading comprehension by allowing students to see and hear the words simultaneously, reinforcing the connection between written and spoken language. Studies have shown that students using TTS may experience improved comprehension scores.

• Reduced Cognitive Load: Students who struggle with decoding (sounding out words) can use TTS to access grade-level texts without getting bogged down by the mechanics of reading. This allows them to focus on understanding the meaning of the text.

• Increased Independence: TTS can empower students to engage with a wider range of texts and learning materials independently, fostering a sense of accomplishment and reducing reliance on others for support.

• Enhanced Focus and Concentration: By tapping into auditory processing and reducing the strain of reading, TTS can help students, particularly those with attention challenges, maintain focus and concentration for longer periods.

• Improved Word Recognition and Vocabulary: Listening to text read aloud while visually tracking the words can help students improve word recognition and vocabulary skills.

• Support for Dyslexia: TTS is a powerful tool for students with dyslexia, helping to alleviate reading difficulties and improve fluency. By reducing the need to decode, students can concentrate on the meaning of the text. 

Effective Implementation of TTS:

• Start with Guided Practice: Introduce TTS with engaging activities, such as reading an online magazine of interest, and gradually transition to academic tasks.

• Gradual Release Method: Use a gradual release model where the student initially listens to the entire text, then attempts to read with TTS support, and finally reads independently, using TTS only as needed.

• Choose the Right Voice and Speed: Select a high-quality, natural-sounding voice that the student finds pleasant and easy to understand. Adjust the reading speed, as an optimal rate of 140-180 words per minute is recommended for better comprehension.

• Enable Synchronized Highlighting: Utilize the feature that highlights words or sentences as they are read aloud, reinforcing the visual-auditory connection.

• Break Down Text: Present smaller chunks of text at a time to prevent overwhelm and maintain focus.

• Pause and Discuss: Pause frequently during TTS reading to ask questions, make predictions, and encourage active engagement with the text.

• Combine with Other Strategies: Integrate TTS with other effective strategies for supporting struggling readers, such as explicit phonics instruction, multi-level texts, and multimedia resources.

• Track Progress: Monitor the student's progress and adjust the use of TTS support as needed. 

Google Voice Typing

Google Voice Typing allows students to type as they speak. Voice Typing is located Under ¨Tools¨ in Google Docs. Click the link below for information on how to set up Google Voice Typing.

Getting Started with Google Voice Typing 

Drawing Tools allows students to express themselves in ways other than using words. Drawing a picture or graphic representation of a concept allows students alternative ways to express what they have learned. 

Click on the link below to explore drawing tools:

Kleki

A light and quick application that lets your student experiment with brushes and color palettes. With a simple and easy-to-use interface, Kleki also lets you store your drawing locally and return some other time to complete it. You can also give Kleki a try on your iPhone or Android phone.