With regard to question 2, about speech recognition software:
> 2) Our student uses Dragon Dictate version 2 on his home desktop
computer,
> and his laptop. We are investigating whether there is any speech
> recognition software which could cope with lecture conditions, where the
> lecturer uses a lapel microphone. The amplifier output could go direct to
> the sound card on the computer. It seems a tall order, but is there
anyone
> out there with any experience?
IBM ViaVoice and Dragon NaturallySpeaking do allow continuous dictation, as
would be needed in the set-up you require. ViaVoice does allow continuous
dictation with multiple-user capability, although it is not as good as
NaturallySpeaking.
NaturallySpeaking Personal Edition is for one user only. A Deluxe version
is to be released soon, which will have a multiple user capability and will
also have DragonDictate 'built-in'.
Each lecturer would have to train the software and would be required to
wear a head-set microphone to achieve adequate recognition.
The main problem I see is the lack of punctuation that would be used, e.g.
full stops. Speech recognition software operates with on context matching
with previous words, e.g. will write "Mr. Wright will write a new letter
right now." correctly, and therefore might get things wrong if no
punctuation were used. For example, if the lecturer said "17 + 2 = 19" and
then "54 + 4 = 59" this may be converted to text as "17 plus 2 equals 1954
plus 4 equals 9".
These products do work quite fast and can keep up fairly well, no matter
how fast the user talks. However, each word would have to enunciated
clearly, i.e. no rolling of words together. Doing this results in errors
with small words, e.g. 'it, is, his'. Therefore, a good bit of practice
would be required for venturing into the lecturing environment.
I have attached a comparative matrix which highlights the main differences
between the market leaders in speech recognition products (in Word).
Regards
Dave Robertson
http://waves.base.org
Telephone : +44 (0)1506 495 239
Facsimile : +44 (0)1506 492 974
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> From: AMBROSE SHIRLEY C <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: (Fwd) Disforum
> Date: 29 October 1997 08:53
>
> **************************************************
> Please copy replies to [log in to unmask] because the School of
> Architecture is not networked.
> **************************************************
>
> This relates to a student in the school of architecture who is
> severely disabled by cerebral palsy. He is in a wheel chair, with
> poor motor functions. He can walk very short distances with support,
> but cannot write or draw by hand. He uses a desktop computer at home,
> a laptop when out and about, and a desktop in the Dartford computer
> lab. His speech is somewhat slurred, but his hearing and vision are
> normal. He drives a car. Please can anyone in Disforum, offer advice
> and/or suggestions concerning the following issues:
>
> 1) We would like contact with any other teachers or students in
> architecture or design who are involved in similar disability in the
> teaching environment.
>
> 2) Our student uses Dragon Dictate version 2 on his home desktop
computer,
> and his laptop. We are investigating whether there is any speech
> recognition software which could cope with lecture conditions, where the
> lecturer uses a lapel microphone. The amplifier output could go direct to
> the sound card on the computer. It seems a tall order, but is there
anyone
> out there with any experience?
>
> 3) The standard mouse drivers used in our computer lab cannot cope with
our
> student's shaky hand, although his home computer and laptop are OK.
Before
> we start investing in better software, is there anyone who can point us
in
> the right direction? My initial thought is to go back to the Microsoft
> release 9 drivers which allowed very good control of acceleration and
> speed, but there may be something better. It would be useful if there
were
> a facility to load a configuration setting from a disc file when the
> student starts a session.
>
> Many thanks for your help.
> Nick Pillans
> School of Architecture and Landscape
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Shirley Ambrose
> Library and Information Services, Avery Hill, Mansion Site
> University of Greenwich, London SE9 2PQ, UK
> Telephone: +44 0181 331 9440
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