Sit in a quiet area – The less background noise and conversation going on, the more accurate that speech to text will be. There are fewer errors in translation doing it this way. Speak like a robot – I’ve found that telling students to “speak like a robot” is a fast way to explain how best to use the software, rather than telling them to use clear enunciation with no inflection. Later, you can sit down, review the transcribed notes, and organize them in any way that makes them easier to refer back to later, or for others to read. Detail any ideas you have to expand upon things that worked and improve the things that didn’t work. Use the software to quickly detail “what happened today” in class, what worked, what didn’t.

They’re not sidetracked by grammar, sentence structure, spelling or paragraph structure – these can be dealt with after students get their thoughts on paper.Īnd here’s an added benefit for teachers: Typing in your notes about the most recent class, along with ideas or thoughts about the classes to come can be much easier using speech-to-text software. Using speech-to-text can free up working memory so the student totally focuses on the task at hand.

I’ve seen this method transform a student’s world when he or she could use speech to text to get their thoughts into written form. Students who have difficulty communicating, such as some students on an IEP, can really benefit from using speech to text software. However, there are places where it is appropriate and even beneficial for students to put their thoughts onto paper through an intermediary method, speech to text software. I realize that the need to write directly from thought to paper is a requirement for some state tests, so this method wouldn’t apply in that case. And today, speech-to-text programs and apps are available on more computers, tablets and smartphones than ever before – making this teaching strategy an option for both students and teachers. Speech-to-text can be a real game-changer in the classroom, especially for students who have difficulty getting their thoughts onto paper.

Free speech to text software