eMarking: Speech-to-text
This section explores the possibility of using software to convert your speech into typed text. Below you can find information about different products.
Initial considerations
Speech-to-text (STT) is a method of getting your computer to automatically type what you are dictating via a microphone. It can be useful and save time if you have to type considerable amount of feedback. There are a number of issues that you might find helpful to consider:
- › STT will require you to learn how to use a complete new piece of software. Do you have the required time to get yourself familiar with it? Do you have to type so much that using STT will make a significant difference?
- › STT applications work locally on the computer that you install them. Do you always use the same computer to do all your marking?
- › Would it be a better use of your time to train yourself to be a faster typer rather than learning to use STT?
Speech-to-text software
There are various commercial STT products. Those products vary in complexity, accuracy and features. A coomon feature to all STT software is that you can train the system to better understand your speech. Therefore accuracy will improve with use. Below are some examples of STT software.
Windows Speech Recognition
The Windows 7 operating system comes with its own Speech Recognition software already installed. You can contact the IT Support Centre to request the upgrade of your workstation to Windows 7.
To start using the Windows Speech Recognition click on Start/All_Programs/Accessories/Ease_of_Access/Windows_Speech_Recognition
Once the application is running you can right-click on it to view a number of options. Select Start Speech Tutorial to get an overview of how it works and start training Windows to understand your voice.
You can also read about Windows Speech Recognition at Microsoft's website.
Dragon Naturally Speaking
This is widely used as an STT solution. The educational discounted price of the the software is £99 per computer.
You can read further information and watch a detailed demo of the product.
Camtasia Studio
This recording software suite has its own STT functionality, which helps with transcription of recorded screencasts. The educational discounted price of the the software is £127 per computer.
You can read further information and watch a demo video of the product's STT functionality.
Workshops & training
Visit our events pages for up and coming workshops and training events.
Or contact us if you want to request a bespoke training session for your course team:elearning@uwe.ac.uk
Page last updated 31 October 2012