|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter is learning to use ViaVoice, a speech recognition software in the special education classroom at El Roble. He enjoys doing assignments on the computer and is motivated to learn via technology. Peter's handwriting is often a jumble of unrecognizable scratches. He took a typing class before coming to Claremont, but seemed unable to master the keyboard. Speech recognition technology may prove to help him produce readable papers independently.
by Joyce Landrey
|
|
|
Because
Peter speaks very rapidly, his RSP teacher, Joyce Landrey,
doubted whether the software would be effective. His speech
is often difficult to understand, partly due to a medication
he must take, but mostly because he has so many ideas that
tumble from his inquiring mind. Peter discovered a demo
program to make the Mac recognize his voice and open files
when he spoke. Entirely on his own, he discovered the
scripting and macro features of the Mac and combined it with
speech recognition. He spoke slowly and clearly to the Mac
computer and it obeyed! However, the speech recognition demo
program was limited and Peter wanted the real thing. Dragon
Naturally-Speaking and Via Voice are voice recognition
software for Windows. When Peter came to El Roble, we could
not find a program for the Mac. Then Via Voice for the Mac
finally appeared in December 1999. In January, Joyce Landrey
brought the software for Peter to try. He loved the
microphone and was very motivated to read the stories which
teach the computer to recognize his unique speech patterns.
Peter still has to make corrections, because the software
does not recognize everything. He seems to accept that and
tells us, "The computer learns more every time I use
it."