Dragon Naturally Speaking
EDTECH Editor-Hogan
We are exploring use of Dragon Naturally Speaking with a couple 4th through
8th grade students who have difficulty with the physical mechanics of
writing. Do any of you kind readers have experience with using this software
in a similar situation and advise based on that?
Thanks,
Andy Yale
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Andrew Yale
Technology Integration Staff Developer
Ithaca City School District
607-274-6841
ay...@icsd.k12.ny.us
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SIGNOFF EDTECH
EDTECH Editor-Hogan
Andy,
We've tried it with a number of K12 students here in Delaware. While the
software has improved tremendously, our experience has been that the
recognition rate is not as good with younger students. The lower the
recognition rate the higher the frustration level due to editing
considerations.
If you have MS Word 2003 (maybe even 2002) installed, you may already
have access to a version of the DNS software. Look under the Tools menu
for the Speech option (you may need the installation discs if not
originally installed). It will walk you through the "training" process.
This version will only work for one individual per computer, whereas DNS
version 9 (Preferred) will allow multiple users per computer. If you
have computers with Vista, speech recognition is built into the
operating system (look in the control panel).
Probably the most significant consideration is providing support to
students using the product. Not so much in terms of technical support,
but in terms of teaching support. Writing using speech-to-text software
requires different teaching supports. What we've seen happen all too
often is that a school will purchase the software for a student and
expect them to learn how to use it on their own. Having a computer and
parental support at home is also key to success (for homework).
There have been positive reports regarding a product called SpeakQ -
it's another speech-to-text program. I've never tried it, though.
Supposedly, Nuance (the company behind DNS) has released (or is in the
process of releasing) a version that will run on the Mac platform.
Dan Fendler
DATI-University of Delaware
www.dati.org
EDTECH Editor-Hogan
We have it on a few laptops for students but they were taught by someone
from the company and the software is mostly used at home. I do know you
have to "train" the computer to recognize your voice before using it.
Debbie Cernuto
Munsey Park Computer Specialist/Teacher
deborah...@manhasset.k12.ny.us
EDTECH Editor-Hogan
I have not used in a situation similar to what you describe. I have only
used it personally and have found it highly satisfactory.
Jim Lerman
Kean University
EDTECH Editor-Hogan
Dear Andrew,
We have been using Dragon Naturally Speaking for several years for
this purpose with excellent results, as well as for certain staff
with similar limitations. As we are a Mac school, we go through the
trouble of purchasing and installing Parallels and Windows on
student's laptops who are identified with having these
difficulties. In the past, no other software has come close to
Dragon's accuracy that we have tested, however, with the recent
release of MacSpeak Dictate we are evaluating this new software for
the Mac at this time. If it turns out to work as well as Dragon, we
will probably switch next year.
Dragon does take a while to 'learn' the users 'accent' but once
through this process it works extremely well.
HTH,
JA
Jason Arruzza
Director of ICT
The Friends' School Hobart
EDTECH Editor-Hogan
We have it on a few laptops for students but they were taught by someone
from the company and the software is mostly used at home. I do know you
have to "train" the computer to recognize your voice before using it.
Debbie Cernuto
Munsey Park Computer Specialist/Teacher
deborah...@manhasset.k12.ny.us
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EDTECH Editor-Hogan
I recently purchased the product for my own use and found it works quite
well - but there is a bit of a learning ramp.
The software requires that you read a series of paragraphs, and "adjusts"
its understanding of what you read out loud.
I am not sure that it will work well with strong regional accents or
speech impediments - I'm not sure how much accommodation the software can
make. I have a slight lisp, and that does cause issues when "dictating" to
the computer. Also the software has to be "trained" to understand each
individual user.
Once it's up and running, though, general writing tasks, like email, will
run almost as fast as you can talk. But if you try to speak too fast, the
software will n0ot be able to keep up with you. The training information
that comes with the product is decent and explains how to do more advanced
tasks, like correcting the spelling of any word you've dictated or
formatting paragraphs, building tables etc.
Is there a way the producer will let you try before you buy?
Burt Parcels, Ed.D.
_____________________________________________
Adjunct Faculty
Boston University School of Education
bpar...@comcast.net