The second tool I chose is called HelloSlides. I found this tool particularly interesting as it allows you to upload your Powerpoint onto the website in the form of a PDF and allows you to add audio features to your Powerpoint through the text to speech feature. It will not record your own voice, instead you will type in what you want the voice to say. It will then narrate the slides for you.
One of the great things about this tool that it offers numerous possiblities in that it can be used in a variety of subjects in schools. For English class, it may be particularly helpful as students can add their own thoughts and ideas to the powerpoint in the form of an audio, and have it narrate it to the class after each and every slide. This then offers a number of perspectives for the class to look at the topic through. This may also indirectly teach the students to be open minded to new topics, and most importantly, new ways of thinking. It will also show the students' effort and thought put into the project. It will showcase their creativity and ability to turn perhaps a boring topic into an interesting one. It may also save time, as the student presenting will not have to worry too much about leaving something out, and they can thus put more time in carefully getting their point across to the class, without rushing through things.
The audio feature that goes along with this tool will significantly benefit those students who are visually impaired. Instead of feeling left out because of their disability, they are now able to contribute to class discussions through listening to the presentation itself. It can sometimes be hard to find tools that will be able to benefit everyone, but it doesn't mean that we as teachers shouldn't try. This particular feature was one of the things I liked the most about this tool, as it allows for incluvisity. Those students who are visually impaired now have a chance to actively participate in class activites that may sometimes be limited. It's important to find opportunities and resources that allow for equal access and participation.
Again, this site doesn't have a terms of service (not one that I could easily find anyways) so the required age is unknown.
Listen