Assistive technology (AT) can make a difference for students who need special assistance. For those with reading or sight disabilities, having AT that reads text aloud to them is a game-changer.
Apple’s iPad has long been an AT favorite due to its ability to load different apps that can assist students with everything from math to reading. In fact, some of those apps can read text aloud to students as they surf and research the internet.
If your students need apps that will read text aloud, consider installing one or more of the applications below.
As with all apps, it is smart to preview and test out the app before giving it to students. This ensures that the app is appropriate for them while giving you an opportunity to troubleshoot any potential problems or issues that may arise when students use it.
In the iPad’s settings is an option to turn on the native screen reader for the device. When students are browsing or researching, if they highlight the text they want to be read aloud, the iPad will read what is on the screen. There is nothing to install to get this capability, as it’s already integrated into the iPad’s operating system.
To access this feature go to: Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Speak Selection
For elementary students, PebbleGo is an option that may make more sense. While there is a cost associated with it, it can be used district-wide and offers a safer, more intuitive read-aloud feature. The articles are read by live voice actors versus the robotic computer voice of the iPad’s screen reader. These real voices are easier to understand for younger students, which helps improve their comprehension.
Natural Reader is a free text to speech online program that will read any text that students paste or type into the reading box. While more of an extension than an app, it can still be added to your students’ iPad home screens for easy access. Users need to copy and paste the text, so if that is challenging for your students, it might not be the best option for them.
Read&Write AppAlso a Chrome extension, the Read&Write app is one that students may be familiar with from using the computer. This app is a keyboard replacement that works in any app and features: text to speech, prediction, dictionary / talking dictionary, picture dictionary, check it, Talk&Type (available for iOS 10 and above), Speak as I type, OpenDyslexic font support, language translation in Safari (French or Spanish, Locale dependent), French-language localization.
Like Read&Write, the Snap&Read app was initially developed as a Chrome extension. It stands out as a text-to-speech app in that it offers optical character recognition (OCR), advanced translation and text leveling tools, and full PDF reading capabilities. That means it can read photos, eBooks, and so much more.
Whether your students need advanced iPad tools to help them with reading text or just basic functionality, the apps above will help them hear and comprehend the text on their screens. If possible, let your students choose the app that they feel most comfortable using and let that be their text-to-speech app of choice.
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