Text+to+Speech


 * Text-to-Speech**
 * Why consider Text-to-speech (TTS)? Two reasons -**
 * 1. It is essential for struggling readers; when text is digital it is now accessible and**
 * 2. it supports the writing process, especially when editing and revising work**

Note: Our databases are adding text-to-speech features for their articles. Check out [|Joyce's blog post]. Ask your librarian if the school offers any of the Gale products with text-to-speech features.
 * [|SpeakIt!]-free for the Google Chrome browser. Supports multiple languages. Still in alpha.
 * [|ClipSpeak] - a free, open source program for Windows that does not require installation (so can be run from a USB key!) Once running, just use CTRL-C to have the text read to you. Use the right CTRL key to stop. Use the right Shift+CTRL key combination to toggle on and off. Can also export the selected text as an MP3 file.
 * [|WordTalk] - a free text-to-speech program for the PC that works within WORD and Outlook and highlights each word that is read. Includes a talking spell checker and a talking thesaurus. WordTalk was upgraded in January 2009 and now includes the ability to save, and you can convert your text file to a wav or MP3 file. Makes this free download even more valuable. (Seems to be trickier with Office 2010 and Vista or Windows 7)
 * [|Natural Reader] - another free text-to-speech software program which converts any written text to speech (Word, pdf, websites, emails)
 * [|Fox Vox]- a free Firefox extension, highlight the text, right click and choose Speak Selected Text
 * [|Click,Speak] - a free Firefox extension that reads the Internet and highlights phrases and sentences as it reads
 * [|SpeakingFox] - a free Firefox extension for the Mac which converts text in Firefox to audio
 * [|DSpeech]- scroll down for a very cool free text-to-speech AND speech-to-text tool. PC only
 * [|Balabolka]- Free text-to-speech download, can also download a portable version that runs off a USB thumb drive.can save as wav or MP3 file.
 * [|PowerTalk] - free text-to-speech for PowerPoint presentations
 * [|Read The Words]- Register first, upload file or choose text or website to read, a recording is generated which you can listen to online or download to an mp3 player, upload to a blog, etc. Very Cool tool worth letting your students explore.
 * [|Spoken Text] - online text-to-speech MP3 converter
 * [|YakIToMe!] - Listen to important documents, PowerPoint presentations, emails, RSS feeds, blogs and novels. YAKiToMe! is multi-lingual (English, Spanish, French ...) and brings you the world's best text-to-speech (TTS) synthesis technologies. Easily converts to podcasts.
 * [|ReadPlease]- there is a free version and a pay version.
 * [|iSpeech] - converts web pages to audio.
 * [|Simultaneous Stanza Reader] - SSReader is a free large font reader for Macintosh OS X that speaks text files aloud and displays the text stanza-after-stanza, simultaneously. The program works well with free books from [|Project Gutenberg]. Watch a [|quick introductory Video here]
 * [|Text to Speech] (offers a variety of languages)
 * Odiogo- free text to speech for your blog (turn your blog into a podcast)
 * Voki - a free program that allows educators and students to create and share online avatars using text-to-speech technology. Voki works from any browser and anyone can place a voki in a blog, website, or send in an email. Voki is being relaunched now (late 2010) and is offering more tools for educators.

If your student has an iPodTouch or iPhone show them
 * Dragon Dictation for iPhone or iPod Touch> - Allows you to speak emails, sms's, and notes into your iphone. Also available for laptops and computers.

**Free Speech-to-Text**
 * It is built into Office 2003 for Windows and VISTA. Explore it.
 * [|DSpeech]- free text-to-speech AND speech-to-text! PC only