Free Speech to Text on Google Docs Helps Dyslexic Students


I’m so excited to tell you about the Google Docs tool, Voice typing!   This voice-to-text technology can be a wonderful, free assistive technology device for students with dyslexia and other types of learning disabilities.
What is Voice to Text Technology?
Voice-to-text or dictation technology is a type of speech recognition software or program that converts the spoken word to typed text.  Although there are many companies that charge for this technology, Google docs and Apple products offer this option for free.  In this blog we will focus on the free tool, Voice typing, in Google docs.
How Can Voice Typing Help Individuals with Learning Disabilities?
Voice to Text can help individuals with learning disabilities in a number of ways, because it:
  • resolves spelling problems. Individuals no longer have to self-generate the spelling of words. Instead, they just need to clearly pronounce the word and voice-to-text will do it for them.
  • allows individuals to focus on the organization and content of the document instead of typing or spelling. Having more attention to focus on other aspects of writing can really help to improve writing abilities.
  • keeps up with the writer’s thoughts. If one is distracted by a typo or difficult word to spell, it is easy to lose one's train of thought. This doesn't have to happen when using text-to-speech, as long as you speak in a loud and clear manner.

How Can I Access Voice Typing?
To access Voice Typing, there are two requirements.
  • First, you must be using the Chrome browser.  Voice Typing will not work on other browsers such as Safari, FireFox, or Internet Explorer.
  • Second, you must have an internal or external microphone attached to your Mac, PC or Chromebook computer.

How Can I Activate Voice Typing?
  • In a Chrome browser, open a google document.
  • Click the Tools menu > and select Voice typing.
  • Click on the pop-up microphone box.
  • Speak your text as clearly as possible.
  • When you're finished, click the microphone again.

Review and Live Demonstration:
Here is a video review and live demonstration I created for my site, www.GoDyslexia.com:  
I hope you found this helpful!  Please share this blog post and the video to help spread the word about the many benefits of Voice typing.

Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials. She is also the director of Learning to Learn, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to www.GoDyslexia.com, www.goodsensorylearning.com, www.dyslexiamaterials.com & www.learningtolearn.biz  
      Follow on Bloglovin

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Accommodating Students with Dyslexia: 12 Strategies for Success

Image
Students with dyslexia or symptoms of dyslexia often struggle in school. It is not that they have limited abilities.  On the contrary, many have IQs in the above average or genius range. As a result, instead of a dumbed down curriculum, these students need to be challenged and they need to receive accommodations, modifications and multisensory teaching techniques to unleash their learning potential.   What makes it difficult to accommodate students with dyslexia is that each student has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Yes, two students with dyslexia don’t have the same pattern of cognitive processing deficits. In fact, there are a number of profiles that can lead to this diagnosis . In addition, there are a number of specific cognitive skills that can cause symptoms of dyslexia . Consequently, a successful remediation often requires a tailored, individualized approach.  To tap into the quickest results, I have learned that one has to look at the specific cognitive difficul
Read more

Finding the Best College for Students with Learning Disabilities

Image
Finding the best college is tricky for any student, but for those with learning disabilities (LDs) it can be an even bigger feat.  In fact, the perfect school is out there for practically anyone, but finding it, takes some time and persistence.  There are a number of options for students with LDs from colleges that cater primarily to this population to larger universities that offer specialized programs.  With the proper testing in hand, all schools are mandated to provide reasonable accommodations, but not all institutions make it an easy task. What Are My Options? Pre-colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities: These programs help to prepare students for the rigors of college and make sure they have the study skills, basic math, reading and writing capabilities needed to be a successful student.  This might be a summer program or an additional year - commonly called a 13th year.  For example, Thames at Mitchell College is a unique transition program on a college campus. Coll
Read more

Important Dyslexia Accommodations in the Classroom

Image
Getting a school to recognize, test, and then accommodate your child with dyslexia can be an arduous and frustrating task. Although public school systems can accommodate the individual needs of our struggling students, many administrators don’t like to tap into the general education coffers for a single student. As a result, parents often have to rally and wrestle to obtain reasonable accommodations for their children with dyslexia and other disabilities that impact learning. The key to navigating this slippery slope is to understand the laws, the lingo as well as the menus of mandated accommodations and modifications. What are my Options? There are two options for acquiring accommodations: 504: A 504 is a formal plan that protects the rights of students with disabilities in school. Covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, this civil rights law gives students with disabilities access to services and supports in the general education classroom. There are no mandated rules on
Read more