Investing the Impact of Text-to-Speech Software on the Reading Comprehension of Students with Reading Problems
By Roberts, Kelly D.; Kelly Drew Roberts, PhD.Publication Date: 2007
Study investigated whether text-to-speech software (Kurzweil 3000) is an effective tool for improving unaided reading comprehension, reading rate, and reading skills in high school students with reading difficulties. Text-to-speech software provides access to written material that is otherwise inaccessible to individuals with poor reading skills. Participants were 47 ninth- to eleventh-grade students who were identified for special education or 504 services (all disability categories) and reading between the 1.0 and 6.0 grade levels. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with 6 primary subjects and analyzed. Results indicated that the subjects found the use of the software beneficial. The researcher will continue to collect outcomes data for each subject for another 1.5 years following the initial study. This data is will be used to determine if the use of text-to-speech software leads to overall improved educational performance in secondary school and improved transition to valued post-school outcomes such as access to postsecondary education and employment.
Published by: Kelly Drew Roberts, PhD. (Website:http://wwwdev.hawaii.edu/surge/index.php?nav=cv&&cv=full_cv&UhuuId=11102809&format=blue)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O17083
