TYPES OF VOICE INPUT
With voice recording, the student talks into a microphone and records their voice into an audio file which can then be played back. There is no text on the screen. Voice recording can be used on the computer and handheld devices. It is an extremely easy and efficient technology tool for the majority of students. Most students can quickly voice record far more detailed information than they can hand write or type. When using the appropriate tools, verbal students of absolutely ANY functional and academic level can use their voice to write.
For those students who are working on their speech in speech therapy, voice recording can be a valuable tool for improving speech articulation, control of breathing, increased complexity and volume of speech.
Speech recognition is a different process to voice recording. The student still speaks into a microphone, but the voice is automatically translated into text on the screen. This is more complex to master than voice recording. There are sometimes challenges with accuracy, and also students typically have to dictate punctuation too. There are different types of speech recognition programs which will be covered in more detail in the companion book for this site. Some are easier to use than others. Speech recognition is most appropriate for students who have functional reading skills, ability to learn and remember the command sets, and those who have the perseverance and personality characteristics required to consistently work on improving their skill in using the program.