Comments on: Speak Up, a Computer Is Listening http://www.ldresources.org/2008/08/09/speak-up-a-computer-is-listening/ Resources for the learning disabilities community Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:30:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Alica http://www.ldresources.org/2008/08/09/speak-up-a-computer-is-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-294355 Alica Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:39:11 +0000 http://www.ldresources.org/?p=1562#comment-294355 Keysone ScreenSpeaker has made Dragon Pro more accessible for LD students. See article on this way to make Dragon Pro work at 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 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

]]> By: Richard http://www.ldresources.org/2008/08/09/speak-up-a-computer-is-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-292197 Richard Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:26:21 +0000 http://www.ldresources.org/?p=1562#comment-292197 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. 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.

]]> By: Anne Hill http://www.ldresources.org/2008/08/09/speak-up-a-computer-is-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-292192 Anne Hill Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:50:14 +0000 http://www.ldresources.org/?p=1562#comment-292192 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? 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?

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