Learning Management Systems

Blackboard Adds ReadSpeaker Text-to-Speech Tech

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 03/24/16

ReadSpeaker has partnered with Blackboard to make its text-to-speech technology more available to students around the world.

Featuring natural voices in a range of commonly used languages, ReadSpeaker is designed to improve accessibility and increase engagement.

"Text to speech is an important pillar of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), as one of the most straightforward ways for auditory learners to consume content," according to a news release. "Rather than reading through a long, challenging document, auditory learners can simply listen to content on-demand. In addition to benefiting those who prefer to learn by listening, text to speech improves accessibility for students with literacy challenges, second-language learners, students with visual impairments and students with certain learning disabilities."

"Blackboard is committed to improving accessibility for our learners," said Katie Blot, senior vice president of corporate strategy & industry relations at Blackboard, in a prepared statement. "This powerful partnership is one more way we are helping make learning more adaptable and accessible for educators and learners.  We look forward to continuing to work with ReadSpeaker to bring text to speech to courses around the world."