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 Reflection on Assistive Technologies in Inclusive Classrooms

Inclusive education means that all students, no matter their abilities or disabilities, should have equal chances to learn and take part in class. Assistive technology (AT) helps make this possible by supporting students with special needs. In this reflection, I will talk about text - to-speech software tool often used in inclusive classrooms. I will share what I learned about them, how they help students, and how I plan to use them when I become a teacher.

Text-to-Speech (TTS) Software

Text-to-Speech (TTS) software changes written text into spoken words. It is very useful for students who have trouble reading, like those with dyslexia, poor eyesight, or other learning difficulties. As I learned more about TTS, I saw how it helps students understand their lessons better. When they hear the words while also seeing them, it helps them focus and understand more. This kind of learning help in seeing and hearing at the same time can be very powerful.

TTS makes learning more equal. Students who struggle with reading don’t fall behind because they can listen instead. It also helps them feel more confident and independent because they don’t always need help from others to read and learn. This builds their self-esteem and helps them take more control of their learning.

Even though TTS is helpful, it’s not perfect. Some students might still have trouble if they don’t understand certain words or ideas. TTS reads text clearly, but it doesn’t explain or check if the student understands. Also, some students may use it too much and not try to read on their own. Teachers need to use TTS as just one part of teaching. It should be combined with reading activities, vocabulary lessons, and teacher guidance.

Many studies support the use of TTS in classrooms. Edyburn (2013) says that tools like TTS help students reach goals they couldn’t reach on their own. Stodden, Galloway, and Stodden (2003) found that students who used TTS did better in reading and felt more engaged in class. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) also supports tools like TTS. UDL says we should teach in different ways so all students can learn. TTS helps by giving students an audio option to understand written text.

TTS is a good tool for today’s classrooms. It works on many devices like phones, tablets, and computers. There are many TTS programs like Kurzweil 3000, Read&Write, and built-in tools in devices. These tools are easy to use and can be used without others noticing, which helps students feel comfortable. But for TTS to work well, teachers need proper training, and schools need to provide good support.