[senit] Voice recognition

Through the CAP project, a number of students have been using voice

Quality of microphone is a huge issue, and USB mics are best - they bypass 
low-quality school soundcards or the heavily-interfered-with laptop 
soundcards. One thing to consider is a USB connector that converts any 
headset to USB - this lets kids pick their own headsets, for comfort and 
style, which makes them more likely to stick with it. 

Ira Socol 

Adam Waits writes: 

> 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
>  
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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 
> 
>  
> 

Ira Socol
Special Education Technology Scholar
CEPSE
College of Education
Michigan State University 