Blog Post #4 

Image Description: The Natural Reader logo in blue print. 


Natural Reader is an AI-powered text-to-speech app that can be a fantastic assistive technology resource for vision-impaired, dyslexic, and ADHD students. Natural Reader can convert many text files including PDFs, emails, webpages, and even images and screenshots. Text is read aloud by the student's choice of over 50 languages and more than 200 AI voices (you can even clone your own AI voice). There is also an educational application, Natural Reader EDU, offered at a discounted rate for schools. Below is a video from Natural Reader describing their EDU program:



Many features make Natural Reader a good choice for text-to-speech applications. The first is cross-compatibility with multiple platforms. Natural Reader is available using an online reader, a Google Chrome extension, or a mobile app. The mobile app is critical in modern times and lets students listen to documents, books, or lesson plans wherever they want. This process is made easier by allowing users to download documents directly into MP3s which can be listened to when there is no internet connection available. 
 
Another amazing feature of the mobile app is the OCR scanner. Students take a picture of text using their phone and it will be read back in seconds. This is a great way for students to access materials not available digitally. 

Natural Reader is also multilingual, its AI voices can convert text in over 50 languages. This is a great way for teachers to be able to connect with ESL students. Living in California I have made several friends who were born in the US, however, they did not speak any English before elementary school, only Spanish or Chinese. While these students are catching up in English, they can have materials translated into their native language. 

One of the best uses for this technology for teachers or librarians is the shared library folder. Teachers can download lesson plans, books, or other materials into the shared library folder. Librarians can download library rules and expectations or directions for library programs. Once these items are downloaded into the shared library folder, students can access the materials and be prepared for class or library programs. 

Helpful Links 

Natural Reader EDU: The homepage for Natural Reader EDU. Here you can see the applications, test different voices and languages, and see the versions offered. 

Chrome Extension: This link leads to a free personal version of Natural Reader that you can add to your Chrome browser. This will read webpages, emails, PDFs, and more. 

References

Ai Voices - Naturalreader Home. (n.d.). https://www.naturalreaders.com/index.html











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