Speech recognition technologies, in conjunction with word processors' abilities, can help reduce some of the difficulties that students may face with writing mechanics.
Studies with middle and high school students with learning disabilities have shown that input via speech is less challenging and that students frequently generate papers that are longer and better quality using speech recognition technologies ix.
By removing the physical barriers to writing and navigation of the computer, you can increase student access to technology and classroom activities.įor students with learning disabilities, speech recognition technology can encourage writing that is more thoughtful and deliberate viii. Repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndromeīenefits for students with disabilities may include improved access to the computer, increases in writing production, improvements in writing mechanics, increased independence, decreased anxiety around writing, and improvements in core reading and writing abilities.įor students with motor skill limitations, physical disabilities, blindness/low vision, or other difficulties accessing a standard keyboard and mouse, hands-free computing through the use of speech recognition technologies may be beneficial.Learning disabilities, including dyslexia and dysgraphia.Populations that may benefit from speech recognition technologies for learning include users with: Benefits of speech recognition for struggling writers Newer uses of the technology include military applications, navigation systems, automotive speech recognition ( Ford SYNC), 'smart' homes designed with voice command devices, and video games such as EndWar, which allows the player to give orders to their troops using only their voice. Medical and law professionals use voice recognition every day to dictate notes and transcribe important information. We have all used voice recognition technologies in our daily lives, many times without even thinking about it: automated phone menus and directories, voice activated dialing on our cell phones, and integrated voice commands on Smartphones are just a few examples vi. New developments in the technology have driven innovation in many familiar customer service industry applications. Other applications include speech recognition for foreign language learning, iv voice activated products for the blind, v and many familiar mainstream technologies. Speech-to-text has been used to help struggling writers boost their writing production ii and to provide alternate access to a computer for individuals with physical impairments iii. Speech recognition and speech-to-text programs have a number of applications for users with and without disabilities. Speech recognition technology in everyday life Quite frequently, as in this article, the terms speech recognition and voice recognition are used interchangeably. Voice recognition can refer to products that need to be trained to recognize a specific voice (such as Dragon Naturally Speaking), or those products used in applications like automated call centers that are capable of recognizing a limited vocabulary from any user. Though the terms can be confusing, they all refer to technologies that can translate spoken language into digitized text or turn spoken commands into actions (i.e., "open Microsoft Word"). When researching speech recognition tools for your child or your classroom, you may variously see technologies referred to as "speech-to-text," "voice recognition," or "speech recognition," sometimes all within the same product description. Both Microsoft and Apple have built speech recognition capabilities into their operating systems, so you can easily try out these features with your students to find out whether speech recognition might be right for them.
If you haven't used speech recognition with your students lately, it may be time to take another look. As the technology continues to improve, however, many of the issues are being addressed. This Info Brief discusses how current speech recognition technology facilitates student learning, as well as how the technology can develop to advance learning in the future.Īlthough speech recognition has a potential benefit for students with physical disabilities and severe learning disabilities, the technology has been inconsistently implemented in the classroom over the years. Speech recognition, also referred to as speech-to-text or voice recognition, is technology that recognizes speech, allowing voice to serve as the "main interface between the human and the computer" i.