Thanks Sally and all 

By the way - they're on to Version 10 now... Which I look forward to trying. Yes, the headset makes an enormous difference, and while I was really thrilled to be supplied with the Plantronics wireless version, after a couple of months of use I have to say that I prefer my old wired headset... And yes, I agree that the computer processing power is vital too. I'm not saying that the software doesn't work, it does - but only to a degree. I've been using VRS since 1999, and have tried all of the various incarnations, and the program is improving all the time - but there are still very definite limitations.  

Some days I start it up, it works astonishingly well and I wonder why I ever had a problem with it? Other days when I use it, it does unexpected things (like not leaving a space between the word I dictated last and the one I am just saying) and it frustrates me so much that I shut it down and don't look at it for the rest of the day, or until I feel desperate enough to need it next - only workable if you are 'lucky' enough to have a condition like mine that is intermittent and doesn't always interfere with typing, but as an assessor I have to consider the student who does not have this advantage and who is therefore forced to rely solely on the technology... Reliability and effectiveness are crucial, especially for someone who is already stressed about having to do a three thousand word essay.

As another instance, I started the program last week and it told me, after 3 months of use, that I hadn't got the Audio Wizard set up (i.e. some of the files had been 'lost' from my user profile) and so I would have to do that before the program could be used... These are just two examples, I'm sure other people out there could come up with plenty more... 

I suppose that what I was trying to convey (and obviously failing miserably) was that VRS is still not a magic fix - it takes time to get everything right. Sometimes quite a lot of time. Humans are much smarter (although I suppose we can all cite instances of where this does not seem to be the case) and far more adaptable, and technology is not always the best way to empower them - though I grant that it does offer some of us some advantages some of the time (try saying that fast!)

Anyway, I'll leave you all to enjoy this lovely wet Friday, and wish you a better weekend.

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