Talk to Read Research

Studies indicate that Talk to Read can create opportunities to accelerate literacy learning in classroom settings. Below are a few highlights regarding dictation technologies, sight vocabulary, and student engagement. 

Findings indicate that while dictation technologies can be inaccurate as much as 40% of the time, 100% of the inaccuracies were identified by study participants. In fact, teachers explained how they used inaccuracies to create opportunities for phonemic awareness and phonics instruction within the context of each learner’s own words.

Participants developed over 97% reading accuracy for their dictated words. This rate meets the criteria for proficient. 

On average, 50% of participants’ dictated words were high-frequency words which they are likely to encounter when reading unfamiliar texts thus preparing them to read unfamiliar texts. 

Conversely, 50% of participants’ dictated words were absent from third through ninth grade high-frequency words lists indicating that participants developed 97% accuracy for words beyond ninth grade and/or their struggles are unrelated to their abilities to read sight words. 

Participants, even those who struggled to read, consistently expressed eagerness to participate. Teachers shared that their students had increased engagement and self-efficacy as readers and writers. 

Baker, E. A. (2017). Apps, iPads, and Literacy: Examining the Feasibility of Speech Recognition in a First-Grade Classroom. Reading Research Quarterly, 52(3).  https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.170     

Baker, E. A., & Bradley, C. (2021). Closing the gap between oral lexicons and sight vocabulary: The potential of speech recognition technologies. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468798419851851

Goodwin, A. & Baker, E. A. (2019). Implications for using speech recognition to support literacy. Bridging Research to Practice: Live with the Author [video interview]. Newark, DE: International Literacy Association. https://youtu.be/sm5boe2g3Xg

Lile, D. & Baker, E. A. (2018). University of Missouri Professor of Literacy Studies. Columbia Morning with David Lile [radio interview]. Columbia, MO: KFRU News Talk. https://audioboom.com/posts/6676923-dr-betsy-baker-university-of-missouri-professor-of-literacy-studies