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Speech-to-text software has been in development for decades and is becoming more and more readily available, especially in classrooms. As the technology continues to become more sophisticated, and more useful, the ways it can be used to assist students has grown. Speech recognition software uses a devices’ microphone to convert spoken words to text (Microsoft, 2018). Speech-to-text software is available on multiple platforms, including messaging services, word document programs, and internet browsers. Programs like Microsoft and google suites both have available add-ons that allow for speech recognition software to compose works on them.
According to Grabianowski, speech recognition software works by taking the vibrations from someone speaking and turning it into a digital file that can be read by the computer. From there, the computer breaks down the files into tiny snippets to be able to relate it to saved sound files and known words, before making its best guess at what the user was attempting to say and converting it into text.
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(Grabianowski, 2006) The technology has improved and continues to do so, as voice recognition programs become more and more commonplace.
There are several groups of students that can benefit from using speech-to-text technology in the classroom. The first of which is students with limited mobility. Students with limited mobility may struggle with typing or having the stamina to complete an assignment to the best of their ability (Garrett, 2011). According to Garrett, speech recognition software helps to increase the length and fluency of papers written by students with physical limitations. Another group of students that can benefit from speech recognition software is students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
According to Frommert, speech recognition software can be used in the classroom for note taking purposes for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. By using the microphone capabilities of a phone or computer, the student would be able to record and transcribe the lesson, opening the student to be able to participate more in the class.
The third group of students that could benefit from speech recognition software in the classroom is students with learning deficiencies, or simply students who are behind in reading or writing. Writing can be a very difficult task for these students. According to Young & MacCormack, speech recognition software can allow students to skip past the difficult handwriting or typing parts of writing, to focus on the “higher-level composition skills” therefore allowing them to write stories that are of greater length, more complicated, and with fewer errors. (Young & MacCormack, 2014). Speech recognition software can open up more opportunities for students who struggle to complete written work, both by helping them to be able to complete work, by allowing them to focus on the important parts of the paper (what the paper is actually about) rather than the limitations they have from poor handwriting, slow typing, etc. Speech-to-text technology can help with students who have low ability because instead of getting stuck on the proper spelling of a word or trying to sound out something, they can focus on the content in their assignment. Speech-to-text technology can make assignments accessible to more students. With the push for inclusive classrooms, teachers are often looking for ways to make it so students can all complete the assignments given. Using speech recognition software means a student who could dictate their correct answer (but not necessarily write it themselves) can now complete the same assignment as a peer, without needing a one-on-one support.
While the benefits to speech recognition software are great, there are limitations to its use in the classroom. As with any technology, there are significant costs needed to acquire and maintain it. Materials including chromebooks, iPads, desktop computers with microphones/ headsets or laptops can cost a couple of hundred dollars at the least, and while many schools have them, being able to dedicate them to a student to use for its speech recognition software can be difficult. Another barrier to students using speech recognition software is the frustration new users can have while understanding the nuances (Young & MacCormack, 2014). Speech recognition software, while improving, is not perfect. Occasionally users will need to repeat themselves, speak slower, or the system will put in words that the user did not intend. While students are learning to use the system, they may get frustrated, or discouraged. Ensuring to give the student extra support, and encouragement during this time will benefit them.
A third barrier to using speech recognition software in the classroom, according to Young & MacCormack, is staff training. As with any curricular tool, if staff isn’t trained on something, it will not be an effective tool. If teachers and staff are effectively trained on a curricular tool (like speech recognition software), they can confidently use and support their student's use of the software. In conclusion, speech recognition software is a great tool for a multitude of students in the classroom, and while it has it’s limitations, can create a more level playing field for students, aid in their instruction, and help with physical limitations.
Assistive Technology Speech-To-Text in the Classroom. (2021, Dec 23). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/assistive-technology-speech-to-text-in-the-classroom-essay
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