Microsoft announced that its AI-powered tool for learners, Reading Coach, is now available for free to anyone with a Microsoft account.
Reading Coach is now accessible in preview on the web while the Windows app is still developing.
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Microsoft Reading Coach for Personalized Reading Practice
In 2022, Microsoft launched the Reading Coach as part of Teams for Education and Immersive Reader. Since then, the company has been guiding language and reading comprehension.
According to research, fluent readers are four times more likely to finish high school and land better jobs. Moreover, studies have shown that personalized learning is the most efficient way to close learning gaps, especially in reading.
"Reading Coach was already providing learners with personalized reading practice, instant feedback about pronunciation and fluency, while also giving insights back to educators," Microsft wrote in a blog post.
How Reading Coach Works
Reading Coach is now implementing generative AI to efficiently guide learners. For instance, the tool will combine all the learner's initial input and the reading level over time.
Moreover, it can detect words that are commonly mispronounced and will create stories that will push the students to practice and get better at it through personalized stories.
Learners can pick and alter the plot of the stories as they read, making it more engaging and inclusive. They can also unlock more story settings, and characters, and earn badges as they gain progress.
Aside from making the tool free to Microsoft account holders, Reading Coach will soon be integrated into Learning Management Systems, like Canvas, in late Spring 2024.
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