Speak Up, a Computer Is Listening
Saturday, August 9th, 2008
David Pogue reviews Dragon Naturally Speaking version 10: Speak Up, a Computer Is Listening.
Watch his video demonstration: When Your Computer Listens to You.
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Does anyone have experience using Dragon with children (about 12 years old) who have trouble training it to recognize their voice? Two boys I know speak so rapidly they have trouble training it. Their mother also wonders how useful it will be if they have to pause frequently when they speak, they will lose the flow of their thoughts.
We are wondering if it would be better to focus the energy and time on training Dragon, or trying to learn keyboarding skills? Any thoughts? Also what do you think of using word prediction like CO:Writer as a tool to help with writing?
Anne: As I’ve said for years, if you can’t get over the training hurdle then speech to text programs, at this point, aren’t for you.
But, the other issue with programs like this is that by allowing you to end run the writing process you get your work done but you don’t learn how to write. I’m not convinced that even if one could train the software it’s the right tool for everyone.
If a child might be capable of learning keyboading, even crude keyboarding to help with slow and poor handwriting, I think that’s a better long term solution that would be a better stepping stone to independent writing (which is an end I think is important if it’s possible).
Co:Writer is a great tool for this in that it provides support but still supports the traditional writing process.
I’m also a great believer (still) in AlphaSmart keyboards for simple, portable writing in and outside of a classroom.
Keysone ScreenSpeaker has made Dragon Pro more accessible for LD students. See article on this way to make Dragon Pro work at http://www.techpsychologist.com
Seems like it would make it easier to learn to use the Dragon Pro as well as proof read and correct work (the student could do this themselves). I’m thinking about trying it.
the article is titles Voice Recognitions Software for the Learning Disabled by Jeanne Beckman, PhD