Discover the best assistive technology software for students with learning disabilities and watch them excel in read out exams.

The best tech tools to read out exams

Students of any age, whether in elementary or high school, with learning disabilities, such as visual impairment and dyslexia, might benefit from reading out exams to reach their academic goals. Over the years, assistive technology has developed many useful tools that make studying this way easier than ever before. Here you’ll find the best tech tools designed to read out exams.

Tech tools for reading out exams

Many tech tools and text to speech software programs have been developed to make the testing experience easier for students with learning disabilities. These programs were designed to help students at every academic level, from primary school through to college. Below are the best tech tools for reading aloud test questions:

Read&Write

The benefits of Read&Write are not limited to students with learning disabilities, as all students can benefit from the software tools. With the text to speech feature, students can listen to passages instead of reading them and improve their comprehension skills. The software includes a toolbar that students can use to highlight the information they find essential while browsing the web or using mobile apps. Their writing skills will also improve thanks to the word prediction tool and the vocabulary feature.

ReadSpeaker

ReadSpeaker is a text to speech assistive tool that allows students to listen to exams and lessons, improving their learning capabilities and helping them perform better in exams. This software includes various tools designed to aid students with learning disabilities in reaching the same educational level as those without unique needs. These features include text to speech, speech to text, word prediction, and more.

Exam Reader 2

Exam Reader 2 helps learners overcome reading difficulties and excel academically. The software has AI-supported text to speech technology, which makes the software more intuitive. With the acquisition of Exam Reader 2, students can get a portable C-pen designed to scan text. This device is an off-line assistive text reader that lets students scan printed text, giving them absolute freedom to learn at their own pace.

Microsoft OneNote

With Microsoft OneNote, students will improve their capabilities to search, organize, and process information. These tech tools allow students to take notes and collect information from various resources. OneNote has a web version named Shared Notebooks to help create connectivity between the students. It also has a Class Notebook add-on, which is an excellent tool for teachers. They can make access arrangements to keep track of students’ thought processes and overall improvement.

BeeLine Reader

BeeLine Reader is a software specially designed to provide different views of texts while reading. Students will quickly get used to the way the app displays what they are reading. Otherwise, it can be modified by the teacher. The next step for the teacher is to provide their students with texts and questions about those reading passages. The aim of these activities is to increase students’ reading comprehension skills.

Jaws

Jaws is a text to speech software designed for children between grades 3-12. As per its design, younger students start with basic features that allow them to listen to short stories already on the screen. Better still, it’s been designed to read aloud at a slow speed for beginner users. As they become more familiar with the software, students will be able to explore other features and read aloud all sorts of documents. Once students get used to the app, they’ll be able to access information from the internet totally independently.

Snap&Read

Snap&Read is available as an app or Google Chrome extension. It has many interesting features, especially for students with visual disabilities. The main tools are reading aloud, translation of texts, and the option to create overlays. The latter can be used to simplify complex information, making it easier for students to understand.

Voice Dream Reader

Voice Dream Reader is a text to speech app compatible with all kinds of documents, including Google Slides, PDFs, and more. Teachers can share documents through Dropbox or Google Drive for their students to access the material immediately. When students use the app, they can have all their lessons read aloud. With this text to speech app, students will acquire reading comprehension skills while enhancing their productivity.

A level playing field for every student with Speechify

Speechify is a text to speech app designed to help students with learning disabilities in higher education. TTS allows people of all ages to read text aloud to increase their reading comprehension skills or simply to maximize their productivity. With this TTS app, students will be able to change the reading speed to take reading tests at their own pace. Speechify was specifically designed with dyslexic students in mind but can benefit any student, especially those who have unique needs like low vision, vision impairments, or other reading difficulties. Additionally, Speechify is multi-device compatible and available for Android, iOS, Google Chrome, and Safari. To get additional information on how text to speech works and view tutorial videos, visit Speechify today or sign up for a free trial.

FAQ

What are the steps in the process of reading out exams?

The steps are as follows:

• Skimming consists of going over the text quickly to get a general idea of what it’s about.
• Scanning is going over the text and looking for specific information, such as names and dates.
• Reading for detail implies reading the text slowly, looking for specific information.

What is the purpose of having students read out exam questions?

Reading out exams improves students’ information processing and vocabulary.

What are the benefits of reading out exams?

Among the main benefits of reading out exams is the increased comprehension. Studies also show that teachers who read aloud not only for exam purposes encourage students to read.

Are there human readers for exams?

There are human readers for exams. However, exam grades in English languages don’t typically permit them.

Should I use digital exam readers or human readers?

Studies show that most students prefer digital exam readers to human readers. However, both have many benefits. For additional information, click on the link