Synchronized visual-auditory text presentation

Grader A: hit

Studies before 2009 found that reading while listening improves reading skills: Shany and Biemiller (1995) found that listening while reading significantly improved comprehension and fluency of at-risk third and fourth graders, and other 1990s studies found similar results. Later work is mixed, but the claim only says that studies have shown improvement.

Test: Existence test: published studies showing improvement from synchronized visual and auditory text (met, 1995 onward).

• Does Reading-While-Listening Enhance Students' Reading Fluency? (Journal of Education and Practice) (2017): Reviews prior literature: Shany and Biemiller (1995) found listening while reading significantly improved reading; emerging literature consistently favourable for fluency.
• Read Aloud research summary (CAST CISL) (retrieved 2026-09): Later studies (2015-2018) found text-to-speech helped reading rate and comprehension; highlighting effects were mixed.

Grader B: hit

Research on assisted reading (text highlighted while read aloud) and on text-to-speech for dyslexic readers existed before 2009 and generally reported reading gains; products like Kurzweil 3000 were built on this.

Test: Research test: studies published by 2009 (not a share claim).

• Wikipedia: Kurzweil Educational Systems (accessed 2026-09-28): Kurzweil 3000 (company from 1996) reads scanned and digital text aloud for users with dyslexia and learning differences.