![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.bishops.org.za\/bsu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2016\/06\/c-pen-photo-dyslexia-dot-com.png\")
<\/a>C-Pen at work. Source: www.dyslexia.com<\/p><\/div>\n
The Reader Pen\u00a0is a portable scanning tool (about the size of a highlighter) used to convert text to speech. By scanning typed text line-by-line,\u00a0 the pen narrates the\u00a0information\u00a0back to the student through\u00a0personal earphones. This text can also be saved to a computer, thereby creating summary notes. By directing the pen towards a single word, the student is able to access the dictionary definition from the Collins Dictionary software.<\/p>\n
According to Cynthia, the tool is a great asset\u00a0for negotiating the\u00a0volume of reading required\u00a0in and outside of the classroom. The tool becomes\u00a0particularly handy\u00a0when\u00a0completing homework, creating personal summary texts, and studying for tests. The learner can become an independent reader, both in terms of\u00a0\u00a0school-required reading, as well as reading for pleasure.<\/p>\n
In the case of students who have qualified for a Reader following a psycho-educational assessment,\u00a0the Reader Pen may offer an alternative.\u00a0Instead of employing a person to physically read question papers aloud to a learner in a separate venue, the pen and earphones set could\u00a0afford the user the opportunity to write in the same venue as his peers.\u00a0It is important to note, however, that\u00a0this option is still\u00a0under review\u00a0by the Western Cape Education Department, and may not be accepted as a valid concession for Matric exams.<\/p>\n
The Codpast YouTube channel is dedicated to reviewing text-to-speech tools. A review video can be screened here<\/a>.<\/p>\n