[senit] Voice recognition

I've been asked about speech recognition as a means for a student to

Through the CAP project, a number of students have been using voice
recognition both in the classroom and from use at home. It is definitely
easier to implement at home, but there are students who are or have been
successfully using it in some classroom situations. However, it is not
always appropriate. One of the most important factors is the attitude of
the student themselves and having some initial training and support that
sets up good habits. A good quality noise reduction microphone also
makes a huge difference- it would certainly allow a student to use VR in
a reasonably busy classroom without picking up any background noise.  It
does take a lot of work by the student to embed the techniques required
for impressive results with voice recognition. They also need to learn
that when using VR "the rest position of the mouth is shut" as a
colleague said to me last week!

In terms of version 9, I have just started using it. You can dive right
in with the enrolment, and just complete audio and volume setting
checks. However, having tried both, the results are patchier without
completing the enrolment. Generally though, it does seem a little more
accurate than version 8. You will need at least 1CB RAM though and a
pretty good processor.

Adam Waits
Lead Assessor, Children and Young Adults

AbilityNet East
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Papworth Everard
Cambridgeshire, CB3 8UY

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-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of David Colven
Sent: 13 September 2006 12:45
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: Re: [senit] Voice recognition

In our experience Naturally Speaking words fine for many pupils, but as 
Dave says not in a classroom situation.  Also I would agree that the 
attitude of the student is one of the most important parameters.   They 
have to have a level of persistence and be willing to meet the
technology 
half way.

It was thought of as a panacea (all those TV adverts) but I think people

are more realistic now.  The eye gaze systems seem to be the latest
'cure 
all' for many people, sadly like VR its a lot more difficult than it
sounds..

Some very small commercial interest Mick Donegan did a study of VR - 
Factors for Success when used in schools when it works and when it
doesn't 
. This was  a few years ago,  but the conclusions and ideas are still
valid 
and It's still in print and available from the ACE Centre (web site see
below)

Has anyone tried version 9 yet?  They say that it is much improved in
terms 
of accuracy and training.

At 08:35 13/09/06, you wrote:
>I've been asked about speech recognition as a means for a student to
>'write up their work at home'.
>..............................
>Any suggestions please folks, eother of research to read or first hand
>experience?

.
David Colven, Technical Advisor

The ACE Centre Advisory Trust
92 Windmill Road
Headington
Oxford      OX3 7DR

Web site at www.ace-centre.org.uk something new every week Tel +44
(0)1865 
759813 Fax +44 (0)1865 759810