Class Set of 25 eReaders - What's Recommended? - Page 2

HarryT · 02-18-2011, 04:21 AM

You're probably not going to want to use the TTS capability of any current reader to read a story aloud to children. Have you heard the TTS of the Kindle?

ProfCrash · 02-18-2011, 09:32 AM

The TTS is fine. It is no worse then the computer ones I have heard. If you are someone who is visually impaired or has problems reading, the TTS is probably a great thing even if it sounds robotic. At least you can listen to books that are not available as audio books without having to wait for someone to read the book to tape for you.

HarryT · 02-18-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

The TTS is fine. It is no worse then the computer ones I have heard. If you are someone who is visually impaired or has problems reading, the TTS is probably a great thing even if it sounds robotic. At least you can listen to books that are not available as audio books without having to wait for someone to read the book to tape for you.

We must agree to differ, I'm afraid. The Kindle's TTS cannot even begin to be compared to human-read audiobooks; personally I find it almost incomprehensible.

ProfCrash · 02-18-2011, 09:39 AM

I agree, the audio books are better.

If a book is not available as an audio book it is better to listen on TTS then not be able to read it at all.

It takes a very long time for most books to be read to tape or CD when a book is requested. Most organizations and schools use volunteers to provide the books for visually impaired students. It is not a quick process. So if you are a student and you need to read a book for class that is not already recorded and available you can wait for the book to be read and delivered to you or you can use TTS.

HarryT · 02-18-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I agree, the audio books are better.

If a book is not available as an audio book it is better to listen on TTS then not be able to read it at all.

It takes a very long time for most books to be read to tape or CD when a book is requested. Most organizations and schools use volunteers to provide the books for visually impaired students. It is not a quick process. So if you are a student and you need to read a book for class that is not already recorded and available you can wait for the book to be read and delivered to you or you can use TTS.

Certainly, I agree with you. I don't believe the OP is buying readers for blind children, though; I got the impression that she was wanted to get a reader that could "read aloud" to children in a normal school. I believe personally that this would prove to be a disappointing experience, but I may of course be wrong. I would advise the OP to listen to the Kindle's TTS before buying on that basis.

ProfCrash · 02-18-2011, 10:10 AM

It works well for kids with dyslexia and other reading problems. It allows a child to read along with the voice. Again, the voice isn't great but there are people who are finding a great deal of success combining the TTS with reading.

I have learning disabilities so I follow some of those forums and have seen the posts here, at Kindle Boards, and Amazon. My Yo9unger brother would have loved a Kindle when he was a kid because the combination of a larger font (fewer words on the screen) and the TTS would have made reading so much easier for him. He was not able to read on his own until second or third grade because his dyslexia was so severe. He ended up an English Lit major in college. This was before books on tape and decent enough computers to handle these things. He loved being read to and would have loved audio books and TTS.

I don't use TTS but I can see why it is valuable to folks and would be valuable in a classroom. It is not something that helps people who cannot see the screen but people with a wide variety of reading issues. Which makes it a great fit for a classroom.

I would imagine that the free books available for a Kindle would work the same way as a library card. There are free books that can be downloaded and read very easily.

wvcherrybomb · 02-18-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amybobamy

BUT I'm very intent on teaching the students to download books for free from the library -- alas, this leaves Kindle out of the question.

Yes, that does eliminate the Kindle.

Let us all know what you decide on and how it works out. Others have been here for advice on classroom readers. Your experience will help guide others.

amybobamy · 02-18-2011, 02:47 PM

I have been rethinking the situation, and greatly, GREATLY appreciate the input.

The students in question are "English language learners," meaning they are very new to speaking/reading/writing/listening to English, AND/OR gthey lack zeitsfleish (about half have bottoms that are chair-repellent).

Other teachers have raised concern about potential problems with wifi connectivity, in that we do NOT want students connecting to the internet to download, text, surf, etc. during instruction, because it is impossible to monitor. So we are now thinking, ereaders without wifi capability would be best, and I should be able to transfer readable docs to their ereaders on my own.

I prefer TTS capability, if only because many of these students will have absolutely NO idea whatsoever what many of the words should sound like. While it is true that the articulation is often rather poor, it is infinitely better for the students to hear the language in an awkward, tinny, computerized voice than not at all (which is likelier).

So, folks -- What are your recommendations?

Billi · 02-18-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amybobamy

I prefer TTS capability, if only because many of these students will have absolutely NO idea whatsoever what many of the words should sound like. While it is true that the articulation is often rather poor, it is infinitely better for the students to hear the language in an awkward, tinny, computerized voice than not at all (which is likelier).

So, folks -- What are your recommendations?

The TTS capability of the Pocketbook devices is good, perhaps the best you can get. It sounds quite natural (and will give your students some fun as brackets and hyphens are read as words, too). Maybe you can contact Dulin's Book (post 12 in this thread) for further advice or a sample file.

Dulin's Books · 02-18-2011, 05:16 PM

ill have two or 3 options in a pm to you later today or tomorrow.

amybobamy · 02-18-2011, 05:33 PM

Thank you, Dulin's. I have no idea whatsoever how to find pms here. I'll check later to see if I can figure that one out! I need to put together my preliminary purchase order by Tuesday, so grateful for any and all help!

Dulin's Books · 02-18-2011, 06:15 PM

well, send me an email to dulinsbooks at gmail dot com and Ill reply to you with some info that way.

hughes · 02-19-2011, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Other teachers have raised concern about potential problems with wifi connectivity, in that we do NOT want students connecting to the internet to download, text, surf, etc. during instruction, because it is impossible to monitor. So we are now thinking, ereaders without wifi capability would be best, and I should be able to transfer readable docs to their ereaders on my own.

Would it be possible to control WiFi access at the network access point rather than at the device level?

amybobamy · 02-19-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughes

Would it be possible to control WiFi access at the network access point rather than at the device level?

This is an excellent question!

Our school is in an urban environment, and to our regret the students find a way to access connectivity even when it is not OURS. Txting is a huge proiblem in schools today, for a variety of reasons. We simply do not want to aid and abet the issue by handing the kids devices that make that distraction easier and more readily available.

amybobamy · 02-19-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

well, send me an email to dulinsbooks at gmail dot com and Ill reply to you with some info that way.

Found the PM function on MRF and have sent you a message. All assistance gratefully received!

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02-18-2011, 04:21 AM	#16
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You're probably not going to want to use the TTS capability of any current reader to read a story aloud to children. Have you heard the TTS of the Kindle?

02-18-2011, 09:32 AM	#17
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	The TTS is fine. It is no worse then the computer ones I have heard. If you are someone who is visually impaired or has problems reading, the TTS is probably a great thing even if it sounds robotic. At least you can listen to books that are not available as audio books without having to wait for someone to read the book to tape for you.

02-18-2011, 09:39 AM	#19
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	I agree, the audio books are better. If a book is not available as an audio book it is better to listen on TTS then not be able to read it at all. It takes a very long time for most books to be read to tape or CD when a book is requested. Most organizations and schools use volunteers to provide the books for visually impaired students. It is not a quick process. So if you are a student and you need to read a book for class that is not already recorded and available you can wait for the book to be read and delivered to you or you can use TTS.

02-18-2011, 10:10 AM	#21
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	It works well for kids with dyslexia and other reading problems. It allows a child to read along with the voice. Again, the voice isn't great but there are people who are finding a great deal of success combining the TTS with reading. I have learning disabilities so I follow some of those forums and have seen the posts here, at Kindle Boards, and Amazon. My Yo9unger brother would have loved a Kindle when he was a kid because the combination of a larger font (fewer words on the screen) and the TTS would have made reading so much easier for him. He was not able to read on his own until second or third grade because his dyslexia was so severe. He ended up an English Lit major in college. This was before books on tape and decent enough computers to handle these things. He loved being read to and would have loved audio books and TTS. I don't use TTS but I can see why it is valuable to folks and would be valuable in a classroom. It is not something that helps people who cannot see the screen but people with a wide variety of reading issues. Which makes it a great fit for a classroom. I would imagine that the free books available for a Kindle would work the same way as a library card. There are free books that can be downloaded and read very easily.

02-18-2011, 02:47 PM	#23
amybobamy Befuddled Neophyte Posts: 49 Karma: 3138 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Nook Color	I have been rethinking the situation, and greatly, GREATLY appreciate the input. The students in question are "English language learners," meaning they are very new to speaking/reading/writing/listening to English, AND/OR gthey lack zeitsfleish (about half have bottoms that are chair-repellent). Other teachers have raised concern about potential problems with wifi connectivity, in that we do NOT want students connecting to the internet to download, text, surf, etc. during instruction, because it is impossible to monitor. So we are now thinking, ereaders without wifi capability would be best, and I should be able to transfer readable docs to their ereaders on my own. I prefer TTS capability, if only because many of these students will have absolutely NO idea whatsoever what many of the words should sound like. While it is true that the articulation is often rather poor, it is infinitely better for the students to hear the language in an awkward, tinny, computerized voice than not at all (which is likelier). So, folks -- What are your recommendations?

02-18-2011, 05:16 PM	#25
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	ill have two or 3 options in a pm to you later today or tomorrow.

02-18-2011, 05:33 PM	#26
amybobamy Befuddled Neophyte Posts: 49 Karma: 3138 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Nook Color	Thank you, Dulin's. I have no idea whatsoever how to find pms here. I'll check later to see if I can figure that one out! I need to put together my preliminary purchase order by Tuesday, so grateful for any and all help!

02-18-2011, 06:15 PM	#27
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	well, send me an email to dulinsbooks at gmail dot com and Ill reply to you with some info that way.

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