Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Text Reader Software
What is text reader software?
Text reader software “reads” the screen using computerized speech. Some text readers highlight the text word by word as it is read. Many software programs also offer a variety of study tools including electronic notes, highlighters, dictionaries and more.
How do you know who needs it?
As with all software tools, students benefit when the tool is matched to their educational needs. While not all tools are needed for all students, no student will benefit from software if it is not used in conjunction with real-life learning needs. The team is the only group that can answer the question of whether a student will benefit through examining the needs of the student and the tasks required.
You can read about one way that teachers in MCPS evaluated the effectiveness of text readers for a group of 4th graders.
How much do text readers cost?
Advanced packages cost between $300 and $1500 for a single license. MCPS has 5-10 licenses of Kurzweil 3000 by Kurzweil Educational Systems ($395-$1495) in every school. Other examples of high-end text readers are Read & Write Gold by TextHelp ($364-$645) and Wynn by Freedom Scientific ($375-$995). These full-featured text readers also have the capability of scanning paper documents for reading. The less expensive versions provide the reading and study tools only. CAST publishes a list of text readers available for purchase (841K doc).
I would like to use text reader software at home. Are there more affordable options?
Text readers with fewer features are available as well, some are even available as a free download from the Internet.
- ReadPlease.com – offers text to speech with a continuum of features for free-$70 depending on features.
- Natural Reader – offers text to speech with a continuum of features for free-$99 depending on features.
- TextAloud - offers text to speech and conversion of text into audio files for $30.
- List of free text-to-speech tools from the UDL Toolkit
How do I find electronic text?
There are many internet sites that provide informational text. Text from these sites can easily be imported into text reader software. Here is a list of good sites for teachers.
You can also subscribe to membership websites that provide the full text of current and popular books for download. These sites are only for use with students who have a reading disability as defined by the Chafee Amendment.
- Bookshare – offers thousands of titles for children and adults. Accuracy varies by book, but the books are rated for quality so you know if there might be errors before you download it. Pictures are not included in the downloads. Picture books are generally not available. Membership is free in the US. Learn more
- Accessible Book Collection – offers over 1000 books for all grade levels including easy readers and picture books. The books are proof-read for accuracy and include pictures. Subscriptions are $50/year for a school or for an individual. Learn More
How do I have the electronic text read aloud by the computer?
You need two things: something to read (electronic text) and something that will read it (a text reader). Once you have a file of electronic text, you open it in your text reader software which will read it aloud. You'll need to be aware of the file formats (61K pdf) that your text reader can open.
What text reader software is available on MCPS computers?
My school uses Read:OutLoud. Where can I find out more about it?
- More information is available at DonJohnston.com.
- Or, get started with this Read:OutLoud Quick Guide (534K pdf)
- You can also read a description of how the effectiveness of Read:OutLoud (pdf) was evaluated for a group of 4th and 5th graders.
I have a talking word processor for writing. Do I need to buy a different program for reading?
Not necessarily. Talking word processors can also be used to provide text-to-speech. If you already have a talking word processor, such as Clicker, Write:OutLoud or IntelliTalk (part of Classroom Suite) you can paste text into it and use the “read” function to have text read to a student.
Updated January 4, 2012 | Maintained by by Linda Wilson
