Dear Metta,
Further to my earlier E-mail
There is no dobt that Voice Activated software can be of great benefit. My biggest concern is that people tend to try and use it as a a universal cure all!. Like all technology it has its place but often it's promise is usually well behind its ability to deliver, simply because it is useful in very specific areas and is not as flexible and transparent as many would have us believe. Far from being a cure all there are very strong signs that those children that are coming into higher education who have been long term users of such software in junior and secondary schools have not only failed to develop any workeable coping / study strategies but they remain relient on support workers and when they enter HE they quickly fall behind and often fail to demonstrate their true potential as they are often unwilling (or unable) to change and develop. This is becoming more noticeable as the numbers of previously identified and supported dyslexic students enter HE
Personally I tend to rate software higher if it is able exploit a strength of an individual rather than try and cover up an area of weakness, though this, at times has to be a major consideration. The trick is to identify the areas of strength in the assessment rather than just concentrate on the areas of weakness which can usually only be addressed by technology rather than strategy, but there again that is what an assessment should be all about.
There can be no alternative to establishing good working practice and independent study skills and as I said in my earlier e-mail, voice activated software can be an intrusive input medium that can limit the potential of other more flexible and constructive support mediums especially for the dyslexic student or those where processing is impaired ie stroke patients, those with mental health issues, ME, etc etc.. Where it comes into it's own is where an individual is physically disadvantaged but their processing skills and memory etc are not impaired and they have been able to develop working study skills and coping strategies. Unfortuantely , often where someone is physically impaired they also experience additonal difficulties which affect memory, processing speed, concentration etc and it is these that often require a more transparent form of input which allows supportive processing tools to be employed in addition to input tools. In these cases it may be worth looking at so
mething like the products offered by Liberator:-
http://www.liberator.co.uk/liberator/frshome.asp?user=&page=Interfacemenu
These include camera based software which works with an on-screen keyboard and word prediction software etc and switches raging from simple touch through to puffer types and dwell selection. This tpye of technology can be used for simple repalcement of a mouse right through to the complete alternative to any manual type input device. What I would say is that if this type of technology is to be used it is important to ensure that the users ergonomics are as supportive as possible to avoid tension and stress pains in the neck and shouldrs etc.
I have used this technology many times for all types of individuals with disabilites ranging from Parkinsons, Cerebral Palsy, Quadraplegia and amputees etc. The speed that can be built up by a profecient user is almost as good as a standard typist, I have heard of speeds of 84 words a minute being achieved by some users, don't know how accurate that is but if true it is a speed that most standard keyboard users would be happy with. Perhaps what is most important is that it gives a seemless interface between user and supportive / strategic technology that will help compensate for many of the other side effects of disability such as poor memory and side effects of medication such as slower processing speeds. etc.
Hope this helps
Regards
Terry Hart
Disability Assist Services
UOP
-----Original Message-----
From: L Gault, Planning and Administration Support
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Mon 08/12/2003 10:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Dragon Naturally Speaking
Dear all,
Can anyone give me any information on the Pros and Cons of using
'Dragon
Naturally Speaking'? Problem areas, software conflicts, Microphone
issues
etc.
Any advice gratefully received.
Many Thanks
Lisa
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Lisa Gault
IT Disability Coordinator
Planning and Administration Support
University of Bristol
Tyndall Avenue
Bristol
BS8 1TJ
Tel: 0117 331 6739. Internal: 16739
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