How to Use SSA's Text-to-Speech Accessibility Feature
At Science Scholars Academy, we believe that learning should adapt to your lifestyle, not the other way around. We also recognize that every student processes information differently. That is why we have integrated powerful Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology directly into the SSA mobile app.
Whether you have a long commute, struggle with reading dense scientific texts, or simply prefer to learn through audio, our Text-to-Speech feature is designed to make studying easier and more accessible. Here is how to use it.
1. Activating the Audio Narrator
You don’t need to download any third-party screen readers to listen to your lessons; the functionality is built right into the app.
- Open any text-based lesson, article, or study guide within the SSA app.
- Look for the Audio / Speaker icon located at the top or bottom corner of the lesson screen.
- Tap the icon. The app will take a brief second to process the text, and then a clear, natural-sounding voice will begin reading the lesson content aloud to you.
- You can pause or stop the narration at any time by tapping the icon again.
2. Customizing Your Listening Experience
We know that everyone listens at a different pace. Some students like a slow, methodical reading of complex physics concepts, while others prefer to speed-read through familiar biology terms.
- Adjusting the Speed: Depending on your device’s native accessibility settings, you can adjust the pitch and speed of the narrator. If the voice is speaking too slowly, you can speed it up to 1.5x or 2.0x.
- Language Support: Our TTS engine taps into your device’s native language capabilities, ensuring that scientific terminology is pronounced as clearly and accurately as possible.
3. Best Ways to Use Text-to-Speech for Studying
If you aren’t already using audio to supplement your studies, here are a few ways to incorporate it into your routine:
- Multitasking on the Go: Plug in your headphones and listen to your study materials while riding the bus, walking across campus, or doing chores around the house. It turns downtime into productive study time.
- Improving Reading Comprehension: If you are a visual learner but often find your eyes glossing over dense, heavy textbooks, try a hybrid approach. Activate the TTS feature and read along with the text on the screen while the narrator speaks. Engaging both your eyes and your ears simultaneously has been scientifically proven to improve focus and retention.
- Repetition for Exam Prep: Repetition is key to memorizing difficult concepts. In the days leading up to a major exam, use the audio feature to repeatedly listen to definitions, summaries, and key concepts while you go about your day.
Give your eyes a break! Plug in your headphones and try the text-to-speech feature on your next lesson.
Still having trouble?
If you have tried all the steps above and the app is still not functioning correctly, we are here to help! Please reach out to our technical support team at support@studywithssa.com with a brief description of the issue and the type of device you are using, and we will get you back to studying as quickly as possible.