Traditionally, education has been restricted to the words on the pages of our textbooks. Although this approach may be suitable for some students, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for those who thrive with more diverse learning styles and preferences.
Rapid advancements in technology are steadily removing the shackles that have restricted teaching methodologies for decades. This has led to the rising popularity of engaging eBook apps for education and platforms that provide supplementary methods of learning.
Developments in text-to-speech technology allow students to reap the benefits of an auditory learning experience, namely pronunciations, accents, and dialects, that cannot be implemented through traditional textbooks.
In this blog, we will explore the read-aloud feature, looking at its benefits, implementation, and how it makes eBooks in education more engaging.
Table of Contents:
I. The Rising Popularity of eBook Apps for Education
- Improved Accessibility to Education
- Active Listening and Thinking
- Language Proficiency
- Customizable Audio Narrations
III. Making the Most of the Read-Aloud Feature
IV. Strategies for Implementing Read-Aloud in Education
- Utilizing Read-Aloud in Group Activities
- Implementing Read-Aloud Across Different Subjects
- Encouraging Active Listening
V. Conclusion
The Rising Popularity of eBook Apps for Education
eBook apps for education serve as mobile bookstores for students and educators, allowing them to access a wealth of resources at their fingertips. As storefronts for digital textbooks, eBooks, and reference resources, they allow students to conveniently continue their educational efforts from their smartphones, tablets, and laptops without having to carry heavy textbooks everywhere.
According to Statista research, the number of eBook readers is expected to reach 1.1 billion by 2027. This rising number is facilitated by the convenience offered by eBook apps, which allow users to browse and purchase eBooks from their nearest smart device. These apps are further facilitated by eBook creation platforms and tools, which allow authors and publishers to create and distribute eBooks to various online storefronts.
Digital textbook platforms such as KITABOO allow publishers to create, publish, distribute, and promote eBooks while implementing a variety of interactive features. Users can even create their own branded apps customized to suit the preferences of different classroom environments.
The Read-Aloud Feature
The premise of this feature seems simple enough. Text-to-speech technology is implemented to allow eBooks to be read back as audio. While relatively simple on the surface, this technology can have many profound impacts in a K12 classroom setting:
Improved Accessibility to Education
The widespread presence of the read-aloud feature makes education more accessible for students with visual impairments or learning disabilities. Students who struggle to learn through traditional teaching methods can greatly benefit from this feature, enabling them to thrive alongside their peers.
Active Listening and Thinking
In contrast to the comparatively passive action of reading, listening to speech is a much more engaging method of learning. Changes in intonation, pitch, and tone allow students to remain more involved in the learning process, whereas some might find themselves drifting off when reading the same material. As the software can now mimic human speech, it makes the learning process far more active, as opposed to a solo experience.
Language Proficiency
This feature allows K12 students to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their reading material by being exposed to proper pronunciations, intonations, and speech patterns that elude the passive act of reading. Students are able to become more involved in the learning process, improving their engagement and retention of the learning material.
Customizable Audio Narrations
eBook apps that support this feature provide customization options that allow students to adjust the characteristics of the speech synthesis, allowing them to adjust reader speed, select different voices, and refine the experience according to their personal preferences. Such customizations promote a sense of inclusivity towards educational materials and allow all students to improve and thrive in their respective educational fields.
Making the Most of the Read-Aloud Feature
Although the default text-to-speech settings are a great step forward for promoting accessibility and inclusivity, eBook apps can also provide several of the following features that allow students to make the most of speech synthesis:
Refining Reading Speed and Voices
Different students learn at different rates, and interactive eBook apps allow them to adjust the speed of speech according to the pace that is more comfortable for them. A range of selectable voices also helps students become more comfortable with their learning material, which can be particularly beneficial when learning about heavier or more complex topics.
Pausing and Reflecting
Similar to how we usually take pauses while reading to digest the information properly, pausing the speech feature and reflecting on the information can help students improve their knowledge retention. If students are momentarily distracted, a speech can be easily drowned out by thoughts, which is why it becomes necessary to periodically take some time to reflect on everything learned.
Opportunities for Self-Assessment
Building on the previously mentioned method of pausing and reflecting, students can periodically assess their own knowledge by reviewing the key points or facts mentioned. This allows students to maintain a sense of accountability over their education while simultaneously having the option to go back and revise if needed.
Digital textbook platforms such as KITABOO allow authors to implement multiple accessibility features across their educational eBooks promoting inclusivity.
Strategies for Implementing Read-Aloud in Education
Educators can implement the read-aloud feature into their classroom environments in a variety of ways through the following:
Utilizing Read-Aloud in Group Activities
Making use of this technology in group activities allows students to have a common source of focus instead of having to read at their own individual speeds. By having a single source of material, students can be kept on the same page and have meaningful and effective group activities and discussions
Implementing Read-Aloud Across Different Subjects
Speech synthesis can be implemented across a wide variety of educational subjects, whether in the sciences or the arts. Depending on the subject, students may benefit from first-hand accounts of complex pronunciations and terminologies.
Encouraging Active Listening
Speech synthesis can be implemented to encourage active listening among students through the organization of follow-ups and revision activities after lessons. Students can summarize key points, facts, and figures mentioned in the material and have a solid point of reference to go back to for further review.
Conclusion
The read-aloud feature is a game-changing technology when developing eBook apps for education. It helps K12 educators broaden their educational prospects and allows students with different learning preferences and needs to thrive in a crucial aspect of life previously limited by the shortcomings of traditional print media.
Digital textbook platforms like KITABOO offer educators and publishers a seamless and easy-to-use platform to create, publish, distribute, and market interactive eBooks.
Multimedia elements, accessibility features such as text-to-speech tools, and interactive activities such as quizzes allow educators to make the most of their curriculum and enrich the learning experience.
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