Hands Free Typing: How do Students with Dyslexia Benefit from Using the Speech Recognition Programme in Microsoft Word?
Keywords:
Speech Recognition, Microsoft Word 2003, Third Level Students, Dyslexia, SEN, Special Educational Needs, Assistive TechnologyAbstract
This article describes a study carried out to research the effectiveness of the Speech Recognition tool in Microsoft Word 2003 used by third level students with dyslexia. Eight students each studying a variety of courses took part in the experiment. At the same time they were registered on an Assistive Technology training programme during which they learned to operate other Assistive Technology software over a number of weeks. The results show the students succeeded in using the Speech Recognition tool when it came to dictating single words, numbers and many commands in a word processor, but struggled with the technology when it came to participating in the initial training setup process and dictating text and other information even after participating in additional training sessions.
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