Speech to Text and Text to Speech

[F, Calla & Luca]

This little blurb from Google reminded me of how far technology has come vis a` vis dictation programs. It's great how inventive minds can help others. I'm going to try to use this to help test it. This one reads text to you.

Introducing Accessible Hangouts for Google+

When I first bought a dictation program, probably almost 20 years ago, it was awful and cost a lot. Now for about $100 you can get Dragon Dictation and I use it for all my reports. Minimal correction is needed. I don't use it for DK, it's too cumbersome.

[Adina P]

A few yrs ago I used it for almost everything I did online including DK...it was cool and cumbersome (doing online things).

[F, Calla & Luca]

So I find but it's great for dictating reports into Word.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

"Assistive" devices and applications offer great help to the learning disabled population.  Students would still have to do the prep work, but something like Dragon Dictation can help greatly for those who labor to get their words onto paper.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

So many of our technological advances are truly wonderful for the general populace.  I especially see how helpful this could be for learning handicapped people who, in the past, have been limited by their ability to put their thoughts on paper.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

My students who have learning disabilities use this type of software all the time for assignments and tests etc.  They use Dragon with great success - most of them it's for reading rather than dictation, but some use it for that as well.  What I've noticed is the social stigma around students with learning disabilities seems to have mostly vanished, which is really nice.

That being said, students often don't take advantage of the accommodations they're being offered. Whether it's social pressure or their own need to go it "on their own"... or they're just forgetting to fill out the appropriate forms on time.. who knows?

[Jennifer and Jack]

So I can text message my words. I just hit speak and it will type out what I say ( or what it thinks I say) and send it.. So cool.. I love it.. except when it says something way off and makes me look sillier then I already am known to be.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Well, you do have to proofread : ) Also, unless it's something really long, typing is easier for on line entries I find.