Return-Path: <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id j073dwb07456; Thu, 6 Jan 2005 22:39:58 -0500 (EST) Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2005 22:39:58 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <200501070337.j073bdb07317@literacy.nifl.gov> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Barbara Sabaj" <bjteach@ameritech.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3388] RE: Technology and Language X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook, Build 11.0.5510 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 3654 Lines: 78 Voice Recognition software has been around for a while. Learn to Speak software used speech recognition to determine correct pronunciation. (It didn't work very well.) Triple Play Plus used voice recognition, but it sometimes came up with unusual results. I used it with students, but I really didn't want them to use the voice recognition, so to show them how difficult it was, I spoke English clearly and correctly into the microphone and it showed only a beginner's pronunciation. Rosetta Stone also uses speech recognition as part of its software; again it is not perfect. Windows XP will read type written text in MS Word, but the voice is very mechanical. Dragon Speak software (IBM may have bought them.) was good voice recognition, but it involved training the program to recognize your voice. The training can take over a month and if the person has a cold, it changes voice recognition. Barbara Sabaj bjteach@ameritech.net bsabaj@d214.org bsabaj@thecenterweb.org 847-392-9894 -----Original Message----- From: nifl-technology@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-technology@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Mariann Fedele Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 10:03 AM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3387] Technology and Language Hello list members and happy new year, Last night on PBS the documentary "Do you Speak American?" aired. It is an exploration of American English. Part of that Voice Recognition software has been around for a while. Learn to Speak software used speech recognition to determine correct pronunciation. (It didn't work very well.) Triple Play Plus used voice recognition, but it sometimes came up with unusual results. I used it with students, but I really didn't want them to use the voice recognition, so to show them how difficult it was, I spoke English clearly and correctly into the microphone and it showed only a beginner's pronunciation. Rosetta Stone also uses speech recognition as part of its software; again it is not perfect. Windows XP will read type written text in MS Word, but the voice is very mechanical. Dragon Speak software (IBM may have bought them.) was good voice recognition, but it involved training the program to recognize your voice. The training can take over a month and if the person has a cold, it changes voice recognition.feature was on the relationship between technology and language. In particular a focus was on Spoken Language Systems (SLS) technology that uses spoken language as the interface between user annd computer. The technologies in the documentary were cutting edge and education applications were not discussed. However, there are some voice recognition technologies being used in the adult literacy setting. IBM, for one, is piloting software called Reading Recognition that uses voice recognition technology. Students read text on the screen and the software can recognize what the students have read and offers support and correction (highlights words misread, pronounces them, and puts them back in a sentence for the student to re-read). Is anyone on the list familiar with or using voice recognition or other language based technologies with students? How are you using it and how do students respond? What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the software you use? For more infomation about the documentary and SLS technology go to: http://www.pbs.org/speak/ahead/technology/ Regards, Mariann Mariann Fedele Coordinator of Professional Development, Literacy Assistance Center Moderator, NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List 32 Broadway 10th Floor New York, New York 10004 212-803-3325 mariannf@lacnyc.org www.lacnyc.org
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