Hi Karen
I am sorry to hear that you have such a frustrating time with Dragon. I too
am an Assessor and a Dragon user (since version 7) and I think the latest
version (9.5) is brilliant!
Perhaps you could try using it with 'Dictation Box' - that gives me the best
recognition. I also use a plantronics USB headset rather than the one that
Nuance supplies with the software. It works really well and often recognises
technical phrases, expressions and acronyms that surprise me.
Sally Brindley
Iona Assessment Centre
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Karen Farmer
Sent: 04 September 2008 08:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Transcription
To reply to Tim Symons
Actually, as an assessor AND a Dragon user, I'd say that Dragon (up to and
including 9, since I haven't tried 10 yet) isn't spectacularly good at
anything... it "falls over and dies", as you so quaintly describe it, at
just about any hurdle, which is why I tend to recommend it as little as
possible - since I don't want to be sued for causing terminal frustration in
the student (joking, but there are days when this feels like it could be
true).
VRS is a lovely concept, and when ALL the problems are resolved no doubt it
will be wonderful, but there are so many factors (user fatigue/endless
microphone (re)positioning etc) that reduce accuracy that it's rarely fully
effective, let alone a magic wand.
Yes, I certainly do meet students who think that Dragon will take the entire
lecture straight off a digital recording, however if they thought that when
they came in, they won't be thinking it when they go out...
Used creatively though - with the user listening to the recording and then
dictating THAT into Dragon, it is possible (though time consuming) to
transcribe the entire lecture using Dragon - but why would you want to?
Ensuring that the student has effective note taking skills would make a lot
more sense, the technology should be a supplement to that - not a
replacement for it, otherwise the student will end up with notes the size of
telephone directories and revision will be a nightmare.
And please, with regard to your final comment - let's not get to finger
pointing, eh? It's so unhelpful.
K
Karen Farmer
DSA Needs Assessor
Professional & Academic Development (PAD)
University of Bedfordshire
Park Square, Luton
LU1 3HZ
Tel: 01582 74 3422
Internal ext: 3422
Fax: 01582 489349
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