After this week’s experiences in the classroom and reviewing the goals I established last week, I have to conclude that the goals I set are on hold for a little while. But only until next semester! Before I can implement goals with Voicethread or Photostory, I must first learn as much as I can about speech recognition programs so that one student does not get left behind. So, in order to reach the original goals in my game plan, I have to set another goal and it has to take precedence.
Voice recognition is a possibility. I will start with the voice recognition program that is installed in the OS system of our school computers. This may not be sufficient, but we will try. The student I am working with does have speech issues. If the installed program on MS Word does not work around her speech issues, we may have to move to an outside program. I have asked her current Special Education teacher to begin her training on a computer in that room. We have yet to ask her speech therapist to help us. That will be the next step.
I need to research the speech recognition programs available on the open market. I am having trouble finding outside source reviews of different programs. Every thing so far has been commercial reviews stating how good each program is… Can anyone out there help me find an independent site? Does any one out there have personal experience with more than one voice recognition program that they would be willing to share?
Other options for this student are dictation to someone who will read her story for her, or use the text to voice program available through MSWord and the OS. The problem with text to voice is that she would have to dictate to someone as grammar and spelling issues would interfere with translation from text to voice, in much the same way that voice recognition training may not help her feel successful. I am trying to avoid the dictation process because I think the challenge of creating by herself will be more fulfilling than someone doing it for her. She does like to feel as independent as possible.
Resources:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards?NETS_T_Standards_Final
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Wise move on saying you need more information on the software for Photostory or Voicethread. Often times, I see teachers at my building not wanting to try new software or formats because they do not know enough about. It is better to know what you are doing with the program than to go in and find a problem you can't fix that you did not anticipate.
As far as the voice recognition software, this might help a little for the open market: http://www.consumersearch.com/voice-recognition-software
Virginia,
I agree with Travis in that it is truly wise to educate yourself more fully with new technologies before exposing them to students. I had tried to get my district to purchase some software for voice recognition last year for another teacher, but nothing ever came of that. If you find one you end up using with students and find it to be helpful, would you share this discovery with us as well? Great, reflective post!
-Stephen St. Georges
I will keep updating how the voice recognition works for this student. I am anxious to get started working with her. Her speech patterns are very slurred, so I don't know how well it will work. But if we train the software to match her voice, it could give her a whole new creative outlet!
It is a great idea to do research before implementing a program. Your concern for the student is very evident in you desire for her to be successful and not have to try many things that don't work first. Many times teachers are so eager to implement a program that they do not do sufficient research to see whether or not the program will truly fit the student's needs.
Hi Virginia,
You have mentioned that voice recognition exists in MSWord. Which version does it exist in, and how do I access it? I have MSWord 2003. Do you know if it is there? What other tools are needed to use the voice recognition feature?
Hey Ray,
Sorry I am so late getting back to you. Work has been full... I come home, take care of the horses, skip dinner, do homework, and go to bed. But, here is what you want to know.
Believe it or not, it is real simple. Go to programs>accessories>
In older programs, I think it is in accessability somewhere.
In Vista, it is programs>accessories>ease of access
Post a Comment