Microsoft has decided to make its AI-powered reading tutor, called ENBLE, free for all users.
Microsoft Launches AI-Powered App, Reading Coach, to Help Students Enhance Reading Comprehension
đ Microsoft Offers Free AI-powered Reading Coach for Learners
Microsoft has announced that it is making Reading Coach, its AI-powered tool that provides personalized reading practice, available for free to anyone with a Microsoft account. This exciting development will give learners access to a transformative reading experience that can enhance their academic success đ.
Why Reading Matters
As Microsoft notes in a blog post, reading is the foundation of a studentâs academic success. Fluent readers are four times more likely to graduate high school and land better jobs. Thus, improving reading skills is crucial for learners. With the latest AI technology, Microsoft aims to provide learners with personalized, engaging, and transformative reading experiences, setting them up for success further down the line.
Building on Success
Reading Coach is an extension of Reading Progress, a plug-in for Microsoft Teams for Education, designed to help teachers foster reading fluency in their students. Taking inspiration from the success of Reading Progress, Microsoft launched Reading Coach in 2022 as part of their commitment to assistive technology, which includes Immersive Reader, an industry-leading cross-platform service for language and reading comprehension.
How Reading Coach Works
Reading Coach empowers learners by allowing them to identify words they struggle with the most. The tool then provides personalized support for independent practice. Educators can customize the available tools, such as text-to-speech, syllable breaking, and picture dictionaries, based on individual preferences.
After using Reading Coach, educators can review learnersâ progress, including the words they practiced, the number of attempts made, and the tools used. Educators can even share this information with students, delivering valuable feedback and fostering a collaborative learning environment.
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Choose Your Own Story Adventure
Microsoft recently introduced a new feature within Reading Coach, allowing learners to immerse themselves in a âchoose your own storyâ adventure. Powered by Microsoftâs Azure OpenAI Service, this feature lets learners select a character, setting, and reading level. Based on these inputs and the learnerâs most challenging words, AI generates unique content. Reading Coach provides feedback on pronunciation, listens to the learner read the story, and awards badges that unlock new characters and scenes as learners progress.
Alternatively, learners can opt to explore curated passages available in ReadWorks, a library of resources for reading comprehension.
AI and Reading Comprehension
While Microsoftâs AI-powered solution has been met with enthusiasm, itâs essential to recognize that not all educators share the same level of trust in AI for measuring comprehension. Evaluating reading comprehension involves assessing a wide range of factors, including vocabulary strength, word pronunciation, and knowledge of the material. Some experts argue that no foolproof tool currently exists on the market to accurately measure comprehension.
However, itâs important to note that teachers generally believe AI tools like Reading Coach can be beneficial. According to a recent EdWeek Research Center survey, 44% of educators believed that adaptive tech does a better job of accurately assessing a studentâs reading level compared to non-adaptive software or traditional pen-and-paper methods.
The Future of Personalized Learning
Microsoft remains optimistic about the potential of AI-powered tools like Reading Coach to drive personalized learning at scale. By leveraging AI in a responsible and impactful manner, learners can be intrinsically motivated to advance their reading skills. With tools like Reading Coach, there is an opportunity to transform the way students learn, making education engaging, effective, and accessible for all.
đ References: – Microsoft blog post – Immersive Reader – ReadWorks
Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Coach
Q: Is Reading Coach available to everyone? A: Yes, Reading Coach is available to anyone with a Microsoft account, making it easily accessible to learners around the world.
Q: Will Reading Coach integrate with other learning platforms? A: Yes, Microsoft plans to integrate Reading Coach with learning management systems in the near future, allowing for seamless integration into existing educational environments.
Q: Can learners create their own stories with Reading Coach? A: Yes, learners can create their own stories using the âchoose your own storyâ feature within Reading Coach. This feature offers a unique and engaging way to enhance reading skills.
Q: How does Reading Coach provide personalized support for learners? A: Reading Coach allows learners to identify words they struggle with the most. The tool then provides tools tailored to address those specific challenges, such as text-to-speech and picture dictionaries.
Q: Can educators track learnersâ progress with Reading Coach? A: Yes, educators can review learnersâ work in Reading Coach, including the words practiced, the number of attempts made, and the tools used. This information can be shared with students to provide valuable feedback.
As technology continues to advance, AI-powered tools like Reading Coach have the potential to revolutionize education. Microsoftâs commitment to providing personalized, engaging, and transformative reading experiences demonstrates how AI can enhance learning outcomes. While there are still challenges to overcome with measuring comprehension accurately, tools like Reading Coach offer valuable support and motivation for learners.
So, if youâre eager to improve your reading skills or assist someone in their learning journey, why not give Reading Coach a try? Itâs free, accessible, and designed to make reading a fun and rewarding adventure. Who knows, you might unlock new characters and scenes along the way! đđ
Now itâs your turn! Have you tried Microsoftâs Reading Coach? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. And if you found this article helpful, donât forget to share it with your friends on social media. Together, letâs spread the joy of reading and learning! đâš
