ITQ for accessible IT practice

Text-to-Speech

Text-to-speech

What is text-to-speech to you?

Overview

Core concepts.What are the benefits / drawbacks of using TTS software?How to select the right tool.Considerations when preparing learning materials.RNIB protocol.ITQ evidence for this unit.

Concepts

Screen reader v text-to-speech and importance of the difference.Audio font.Social trends - specialist technology crossing digital divide.Real time v downloadable.Hardware.Software.Web services.

Examples

Text-to-speechResource folder:

Dspeech.Balabolka.CliCk Speak or Fire Vox.

Others:TextHelp GoldWordTalk.YAKiToMe.Read the Words.Built in tools (Adobe Reader).

Screen readersResource folder:

NVDA.Thunder.

Others:SuperNova.Jaws.Window-Eyes.WebAnywhere.

Activity

ExploreDspeechBalabolkaRobboBrailleTextHelp Gold

Test some of your teaching resources with the different software

Look at one tool in detail, and complete 1 column of the Text To Speech Grid

Think about any considerations we could make when creating teaching materials

Considerations for teaching materials

Things to consider

Can user see screen or not?Use case - email? Document? Web page? PDF? PowerPoint?How important is the personalised voice?Long chunks versus short chunks.Portable or desktop.

References: JTD PDF ReadOutLoud; www.techdis.ac.uk/getfreesoftware.

Text-to-speech on handheld devices

Nokiawww.nuance.com/talks/.

iPhone / iPad - VoiceOver and Zoom:www.moletv.org.uk/watch.aspx?v=RHC42;www.moletv.org.uk/watch.aspx?v=Q4KKL;Speak it!

Windows mobile:CapturaTalk photograph text and read it back www.capturatalk.com/;Nemonika (free).

RNIB protocol

RNIB Synthetic Speech.NB: this is in a VI context rather than dyslexia, etc.

The four scenarios provided as examples are:

An audio book (generated through text-to-speech).

A product.A document containing

figures.An access technology

application.

Suggested ITQ evidence

Level 2:

Complete the L2 TTS Grid showing features and functions, etc.

Produce instructional guide for IT user on one technology; include troubleshooting advice for that TTS software.

Create sound files with accompanying document; present to learners / others.

Gather feedback from IT user and reflect on their comments.

Level 3:

Produce or use a resource to test the suitability of different TTS options

Create sound files using 3 different TTS tools

Complete L3 TTS grid comparing the outputs of the different tools.

Produce a flow-chart for helping a learner select best TTS solution for them.

Gather feedback from an IT user on one of the sound files and reflect on their comments.