Developing a reading tutor: Design and evaluation of dedicated speech recognition and synthesis modules
 
Developing a reading tutor: Design and evaluation of dedicated speech recognition and synthesis modules ■
 
Jacques Duchateau, Jacques Duchateau, Jacques Duchateau, Yuk On Kong, Yuk On Kong, Yuk On Kong, Leen Cleuren, Leen Cleuren, Leen Cleuren, Lukas Latacz, Lukas Latacz, Lukas Latacz, Jan Roelens, Jan Roelens, Jan Roelens, Abdurrahman Samir, Abdurrahman Samir, Abdurrahman Samir, Kris Demuynck, Kris Demuynck, Kris Demuynck, Pol Ghesquière, Pol Ghesquière, Pol Ghesquière, Werner Verhelst, Werner Verhelst, Werner Verhelst, Hugo Van Hamme, Hugo Van Hamme, Hugo Van Hamme
 
Abstract ■

When a child learns to read, the learning process can be enhanced by significant reading practice with individual support from a tutor. But in reality, the availability of teachers or clinicians is limited, so the additional use of a fully automated reading tutor would be beneficial for the child. This paper discusses our efforts to develop an automated reading tutor for Dutch. First, the dedicated speech recognition and synthesis modules in the reading tutor are described. Then, three diagnostic and remedial reading tutor tools are evaluated in practice and improved based on these evaluations: (1) automatic assessment of a child's reading level, (2) oral feedback to a child at the phoneme, syllable or word level, and (3) tracking where a child is reading, for automated screen advancement or for direct feedback to the child. In general, the presented tools work in a satisfactory way, including for children with known reading disabilities.