A Computer for Every Student!® And it Speaks!

Text-to-Speech & the Laser PC6

Would you like to teach writing using the latest innovative method of Text-to-Speech? If so, the Laser PC6 is the only portable word processor with speech capability. With the Text-to-Speech cartridge installed, the word processor can speak, either as the student types, or by playing back passages. The word predict and phonic spell checker also speak. Headphones are included.

Now there's conclusive research, spearheaded by Prof. Jean Casey of Cal State University at Long Beach, demonstrating that speech-enhanced word processors play a key role in aiding the development of written literacy. In her book, "Early Literacy, The Empowerment of Technology," she explains that using a talking word processor motivates children to write, by providing an interactive and dynamic form of expression when children hear their text immediately read back to them. Speech, coupled with the visual display, helps focus their attention on the language activity. Phonological awareness, which is considered essential in the process of learning to read, is acquired much faster using a talking word processor. The inclusion of a talking word processor empowers students by providing the necessary auditory component of their learning environment. The children can hear and see information about written language enabling even young learners to become active, creative writers. By allowing a high degree of personalization, a talking word processor reinforces messages customized for each child. It increases creativity and skill in written self-expression as children hear and critique their own written work.

Prof. Casey has also written, "Creating the Early Literacy Classroom, Activities for Using Technology to Empower Elementary Students." It details 88 activities using speech-enhanced word processing, ideal for use with the Laser PC6. Her web site is: jmcasey

The following real example shows how the PC6's phonic spell checker and Text-to-Speech can help children correct their writing. This was written by 5 year old Jessica.

The Vois Inside You

One day Jenny seid to her mom I want to do jimnastiks. Her mom seid OK why dont you try out for the Olimpiks? Jennys techer was tuf. It was the day of the Olimpiks. Jenny was scard when it came to her tern. Then she herd a vois it seid you can do it. Jenny ran to the beem. She did a back flip the vois cep saing you can do it. Then it came agen you can do it. She one the Olimpiks.

Corrected using the PC6's Phonic Spell Checker. (Other portable word processors cannot correct most of these words).

The Voice Inside You

One day Jenny said to her mom I want to do gymnastics. Her mom said OK why don't you try out for the Olympics? Jennys teacher was tough. It was the day of the Olympics. Jenny was scared when it came to her tern. Then she herd a voice it said you can do it. Jenny ran to the beam. She did a back flip the voice cep saying you can do it. Then it came again you can do it. She one the Olympics.

Further grammatical and spelling corrections using the PC6 Text-to-Speech.

The Voice Inside You

One day, Jenny said to her mom, I want to do gymnastics. Her mom said OK, why don't you try out for the Olympics? Jennys teacher was tough. It was the day of the Olympics. Jenny was scared when it came to her tern. Then she herd a voice. It said, you can do it. Jenny ran to the beam. She did a back flip. The voice kept saying, you can do it. Then it came again, you can do it. She one the Olympics!

(Notice that both "tern" and "one" remain. Since both are spelled correctly, and both sound like "turn" and "won," these would be corrected by the teacher.)