It’s great to make readers aware of their options for TTS. I like your idea of adding an audio component to your reading. Readers can also just read out loud, although I do (weakly) find that it seems different to read aloud, vs. listening to a recording of yourself, vs. listening to a recording of someone else reading the text.
Without wanting to be critical of your good and useful post, I doubt that TTS versions will help much with the time-and-attention bottleneck for learning new information.
The reason I think TTS will not help appreciably with comprehending new information at a faster rate, at least among this audience, is that most adults can’t passively absorb new, complex information. The “sponge” metaphore for learning is misleading.
Information intake requires constant, fine-grained adjustments. If you didn’t understand the last sentence, you need to go back and re-read it. If you’ve forgotten how the current argument ties into the overall piece, you need to scroll back even further. If figures and diagrams are mentioned, you need to be able to see them. If an unfamiliar word is used, or a reference calls your attention, you need to be able to follow that link. You need time to work through your own thoughts as they arise during the reading. And of course, you need to apply the information to solve problems, not just read it.
This is just a sample of the many micro-tasks that go into learning. Virtually all of them become impossible when you are doing other tasks, or absorbing the text in audiobook form.
I suspect there are certain learning tasks that could be done well via audiobook. Examples include speed reading and reading for entertainment, as well as practicing flashcards.
I find this is true in different amounts for different kinds of content. I’d never listen to a math book but would almost always prefer an audio history book if it exists.
It’s great to make readers aware of their options for TTS. I like your idea of adding an audio component to your reading. Readers can also just read out loud, although I do (weakly) find that it seems different to read aloud, vs. listening to a recording of yourself, vs. listening to a recording of someone else reading the text.
I also agree with your implied claim that the limiting factor on comprehension is having the time to process it.
Without wanting to be critical of your good and useful post, I doubt that TTS versions will help much with the time-and-attention bottleneck for learning new information.
The reason I think TTS will not help appreciably with comprehending new information at a faster rate, at least among this audience, is that most adults can’t passively absorb new, complex information. The “sponge” metaphore for learning is misleading.
Information intake requires constant, fine-grained adjustments. If you didn’t understand the last sentence, you need to go back and re-read it. If you’ve forgotten how the current argument ties into the overall piece, you need to scroll back even further. If figures and diagrams are mentioned, you need to be able to see them. If an unfamiliar word is used, or a reference calls your attention, you need to be able to follow that link. You need time to work through your own thoughts as they arise during the reading. And of course, you need to apply the information to solve problems, not just read it.
This is just a sample of the many micro-tasks that go into learning. Virtually all of them become impossible when you are doing other tasks, or absorbing the text in audiobook form.
I suspect there are certain learning tasks that could be done well via audiobook. Examples include speed reading and reading for entertainment, as well as practicing flashcards.
I find this is true in different amounts for different kinds of content. I’d never listen to a math book but would almost always prefer an audio history book if it exists.