A technique known as “assisted reading” has been demonstrated to help reading proficiency, in some cases producing permanent improvement

Background
Modern software running on today’s personal computers is helping overcome two impediments to learning. In this project you can choose which of the following you will research and make better known to others. The two type of support are mirror images of each other: one transforms text into speech, and one transforms speech into text. To complete this project you do ONE of the following, not both.
Problem: Reading and Retention
Research indicates that 10-15% of students have problems reading or retaining material read. A technique known as “assisted reading” has been demonstrated to help reading proficiency, in some cases producing permanent improvement. This simply involves hearing the text spoken as the same words are read and used to require a second person reading and speaking while the student reads. But now it’s possible to have software read text aloud in whatever voice the student finds most appealing.

Project: Research and document what the TextAloud software product is, available choices in the reading voice it generates, what its performance is, what type of computer is required to use it, and what the costs are. See if you can find a tutorial or vendor advertising that demonstrates its use. Begin with a visit to www.nextup.com. Gather your findings in a concise two-page paper which you can illustrate with small embedded images if you wish. Your paper should include an informal bibliography or links to your sources so others can follow them to extend your research.