7 Reading with Technology
How can I read with technology tools and applications (Apps)?
As technology expands and evolves, so do the ways students can use it to assist them with reading. Technology can help with understanding texts, act as a study-buddy, or help organize reading notes.
Warning: Using technology to assist with reading should be used with caution and only as in an assistive form. Students should not rely on technology or AI apps exclusively to understand texts or to apply texts to assignments. It is always advised to check with your instructor and class policies before using these tools and apps.
Text-to-Speech Tools: AI-powered text-to-speech (TTS) tools can help students convert written text into spoken words. This can be beneficial for auditory learners or those who prefer listening to reading. Additionally, TTS tools often come with features like adjustable reading speeds and highlighting, which can enhance comprehension. Canvas actually has a text-to-speech tool built in!
Generative AI (such as ChatGPT):
Reading Companions: Students can use ChatGPT as a reading buddy to help them understand and stay interested in what they’re reading. It gives quick explanations and definitions for tough terms and ideas, making things easier to grasp. ChatGPT can also sum up sections or chapters, so students can review and remember the main points. It asks questions that make students think more deeply about the text, turning reading into a two-way conversation. Plus, ChatGPT suggests related readings and resources to expand your knowledge. By giving personalized feedback based on their questions and progress, ChatGPT makes the reading experience more tailored to the student needs, making it a handy tool for both schoolwork and personal reading.
Language Translation and Support: You can use ChatGPT for language translation and support by inputting text in a non-English language and receiving instant translations into English or vice versa. This feature can help you understand foreign texts more easily. Additionally, ChatGPT can clarify complex terms or phrases by providing explanations and synonyms in the desired language, aiding comprehension. It also serves as a learning tool by offering language correction suggestions and examples of proper usage. Overall, ChatGPT can enhance language skills through interactive dialogue and real-time assistance, making it helpful for students looking to improve their language proficiency while reading and communicating in different languages.
Adaptive Learning: Students can personalize the reading experience based on individual student needs and preferences. Generative AI may adjust the difficulty level of texts, offer targeted exercises to address specific reading skills, and track progress over time to provide tailored recommendations. ChatGPT can recommend supplementary readings based on individual interests and academic needs, facilitating further exploration of topics. Plus, students can engage ChatGPT in interactive dialogue to generate practice questions or discussion prompts, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. By using ChatGPT consistently, students can track their progress and receive tailored feedback, effectively enhancing their reading comprehension and academic performance overall.
Note-taking: ChatGPT can serve as a highly effective note-taking tool for college students to streamline their reading process. As students engage with texts, ChatGPT can help summarize paragraphs or entire sections into concise notes, capturing essential information and main ideas. This feature not only saves time but also ensures that key points are recorded accurately. Students can also ask ChatGPT to clarify complex concepts or terms on the spot, allowing students to incorporate clear explanations directly into their notes. In addition, students can use ChatGPT to generate outlines or organize their thoughts cohesively, facilitating structured note-taking. By leveraging ChatGPT for note-taking, students can focus more on understanding and synthesizing information rather than transcribing, thereby optimizing their study efforts and enhancing retention of material.