Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Learning Technology Index

  

NaturalReader*

accommodation

What is it?

NaturalReader is a versatile text-to-speech software developed by NaturalSoft Limited. It converts written text into spoken words using natural-sounding voices. Available as both a desktop application and a mobile app, NaturalReader supports various text formats, including PDFs, Word documents, web pages, and eBooks. It also features OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, allowing it to read text from images and scanned documents. 

What is its purpose?

The purpose of NaturalReader is to enhance the reading experience by converting written text into spoken words using advanced text-to-speech technology. This allows users to listen to various types of texts, such as PDFs, online articles, and documents, in multiple languages and dialects. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, by providing both audio and visual text presentations and offering features like dyslexia-friendly fonts.

How do I use it?

To access and use NaturalReader, start by downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play Store for mobile devices, or from the NaturalReader website for desktop use. Once installed, sign up for a new account or log in if you already have one

Why would I use it?

NaturalReader provides its users with convenience, accessibility, and efficiency by allowing them to listen to texts while multitasking, making it ideal for busy professionals and students. The app is particularly beneficial for individuals with reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, as it provides both audio and visual text presentations and includes dyslexia-friendly fonts to enhance readability. Additionally, NaturalReader supports language learning by offering texts read aloud by native speakers in over 25 languages and dialects. The app's flexibility enables access to various text formats, including PDFs, online articles, cloud documents, and images with text. Advanced features like OCR text recognition and the ability to convert and download text as MP3 files further enhance the user experience. Customizable settings, such as reading speed and voice pitch, allow for a personalized listening experience, making NaturalReader a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve the way they consume written content.

Quick Facts
Category
Synchronous Sessions
Rating Level 
Web Search
Website
NaturalReader*
Last Modified
12 December 2024
Created
09 July 2024
License Available 
No
More Info

Security Concerns
Yes
Technical Support 
Vendor
Platform(s) 
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac

Ratings Information

CITL Rating

Select any category below for details about the criteria for each rating.

Functionality: ★★☆
Scale:
Not Applicable.N/A
Ease of Use:★★★
Works Well. The tool has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and personalize for both instructor and learner. Use is intuitive for both instructor and learner.
Tech Support/Help Availability (for Instructors):★★☆
Minor Concerns. Minor Concerns; No campus-wide technical support is available.
Tech Support/Help Availability (for Students):★★☆
Minor Concerns. Minor Concerns; No campus-wide technical support is available.
Hypermediality :
Not Applicable.N/A
Accessibility: ★★★
Accessibility Standards:★★★
Works Well. Works well.
User-focused participation:★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Required Equipment:★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Technical: ★★★
Integration/Embedding within a Learning Management System (LMS) :★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Operating Systems:★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Web Browser:★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Additional Technical Requirements:
Not Applicable.N/A.
Mobile Design: ★★★
Access:★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Functionality:★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Offline Access:★★☆
Minor Concerns. Minor Concern: Only available for the desktop version. For the mobile app versions on iOS and Android, offline access may be limited to certain functionalities, and some advanced features may require an active internet connection.
Usage and Account Set Up: ★★☆
Sign Up/Sign In:★☆☆
Serious Concerns. To use NaturalReader, users are required to create an external account or log in, especially if they want to access premium features or use the service across multiple devices. Personal information, such as email addresses, is collected during the sign-up process. This is necessary for account management and subscription services, which means that personal user information is collected and possibly shared as part of the service's operations.
Cost of Use:★★☆
Minor Concerns. Minor Concern. NaturalReader offers a limited free version that allows users to access basic text-to-speech features with free voices. However, many advanced features, such as access to premium voices, MP3 conversion, and OCR capabilities, require a subscription or one-time payment.
Archiving, Saving, and Exporting Data :★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Data Privacy and Ownership:★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Social Presence: ★★★
Collaboration :
Not Applicable. N/A.
User Accountability:
Not Applicable. N/A.
Diffusion:★★★
Works Well. Works well.
Teaching Presence: ★★☆
Facilitation:
Not Applicable. N/A.
Customization:★★☆
Minor Concerns. NaturalReader offers some level of customization, allowing users to adjust settings such as voice selection, reading speed, and pitch to better suit individual preferences and needs. These features can enhance the user experience and make the tool more adaptable to different contexts, including educational settings where specific accommodations might be necessary. However, the customization options are limited to these basic settings, and the tool does not offer extensive adaptability to suit broader classroom contexts or targeted learning outcomes.
Learning Analytics:
Not Applicable. N/A.
Cognitive Presence: ★★☆
Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s):★★☆
Minor Concerns. NaturalReader enables functional improvement in engagement with cognitive tasks by converting text to speech, which can aid in comprehension, retention, and accessibility, especially for individuals with reading difficulties such as dyslexia. By allowing users to listen to text rather than read it, NaturalReader provides an alternative method of engaging with content, which can improve focus and understanding.
Higher Order Thinking:
Not Applicable. N/A.
Feedback on Learning:
Not Applicable. N/A.

Security and Privacy

The service is not offered by Memorial University and has not been reviewed by Information Management and Protection.

Support Information

For support with NaturalReader, you can contact their support team via email at support@naturalreaders.com for personalized assistance. Additionally, the NaturalReader Help Center offers a comprehensive FAQ section, tutorials, and guides for common queries and troubleshooting.

History

NaturalReader, developed by NaturalSoft Limited, has evolved significantly since its inception. The company, based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, started over 15 years ago with a focus on creating accessible and user-friendly text-to-speech software. Initially, NaturalReader was a desktop software solution allowing users to convert various text formats into spoken words using natural-sounding voices. The software supported multiple document formats, including PDFs, Word documents, and eBooks, and featured OCR capabilities to convert printed text into digital format.

 

Contact

Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

230 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's, NL, CANADA, A1B 3X9

Postal Address: P.O. Box 4200, St. John's, NL, CANADA, A1C 5S7

Tel: (709) 864-8000