Speech recognition

Although automatic speech recognition (ASR) software has been available for a number of years, only recently has it reached a standard which is high enough to become a useful tool in education.

ASR can be particularly helpful to a range of different users. Specifically relating to education, it can prove invaluable for students who find it difficult to transfer their thoughts onto paper, for example, dyslexia sufferers. The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) (2010) suggests that ASR can be beneficial to dyslexia sufferers as some have found it to be liberating. This is due to the fact that the spoken word is transferred in written format, with words detected spelt correctly. However the BDA (2010) also reports that ASR is extremely sensitive to accents and speech impediments and therefore this may be time-consuming and frustrating to the user. In addition to this, some ASR software requires the person to proofread their work and this would be very difficult if not impossible for a dyslexic person.

ASR can also be used to assist deaf students as it allows them to see the spoken word in writing. This can be particularly helpful as often deaf people may find it difficult to associate the spoken and written word. This in turn can lead them to pronounce words incorrectly and cause misunderstanding between themselves and others. ASR such as captioned telephony for deaf people has allowed them to participate more freely in conversations. Goldsmith (2008) found that captioned telephony changed his life and career by enabling him to communicate more effectively. However Bruce (2008) argues that ASR in the form of captioned telephony for example is too expensive and therefore an ‘unintended form of discrimination that must be rectified’ (p 1).

One area that ASR can be of assistance, is with students who have Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI). Revis (2005) reports that the use of ASR can minimise or eliminate keyboard and mouse movements and consequently reduce unnecessary strain on muscles, tendons and nerves. ASR can also assist people with temporary RSIs, for example, my wife suffered badly with carpal tunnel syndrome when pregnant. Unfortunately as a primary teacher she had a full set of reports to type but her hands were too weak to do so, therefore in this instance the ASR proved invaluable.

References

Bruce, M. (2008) Deaf People Lobby MPs over Phones. [Online]. Available: http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7670175.stm [ 4 January 2010 ]

Goldsmith, A. (2008) Deaf People Lobby MPs over Phones. [Online]. Availiable: http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7670175.stm [ 4 January 2010 ]

Revis, M (2005) The Case for Speech Recognition. [Online]. Available: http://www.fortherecordmag.com/archives/ftr_042505p20.shtml

[ 4 January 2010 ]

The British Dyslexia Association [Online]. Available. http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia/it-information/speech-recognition-software.html [ 4 January 2010 ]