Re: Discrete vs. continuous

From: spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org
Date: Fri Mar 24 2000 - 15:55:35 EST

  • Next message: spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org: "Re: Disgraphia Info"

    I am very curious about the reasons why some students have chosen to
    return to using discrete speech recognition. I hope that Joan can take
    the time to illustrate what she has observed, so we can all learn from
    it.
    Sure we have to choose what works for individual students for their
    IEP's, but that doesn't mean making bad choices. As far as I can tell,
    only a few students are better off using discrete speech. Those are
    generally the ones who are using computers that do not have the system
    requirements needed for continuous speech.
    One of the most common reasons to continue with discrete speech is
    familiarity. It took so long to learn that program and to develop a
    good voice file that people do not want to change. Some instructors are
    still not familiar with continuous speech recognition, and want to go
    with what has worked, what they know.
    Dave
    Newspeak Communications
    Charlotte Vermont
    dave@newspeakcom.com

    spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org wrote:
    >
    > I think Nancy raises an essential point- that is, you choose what works
    for
    > individual students. Just as I have a favorite pen, favorite keyboard, in
    > fact, a favorite pair of shoes which work well for me but do not work for
    > the person in the next door cubicle (particularly the shoes, since he's
    > much
    > more stylish than I) I need to insure that we choose something that works
    > best for an individual person. In education (where I work) we have
    > Individual Education Programs- emphasis on individual. What works for on
    > student is provided to him. It may not work for another- and we find what
    > works for her.
    > I urge all of us who are involved in the use of this rapidly growing and
    > exciting technology to not discourage those who are also exploring new
    ways
    > to help people be independent. Recognize that differences occur and they
    > are
    > not bad.
    >
    > Joan Breslin Larson
    > Joan.Breslin-Larson@state.mn.us <Joan.Breslin-Larson@state.mn.us>
    >
    > -----Original Message-----
    > From: spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org
    > [mailto:spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org]
    > Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 6:00 PM
    > Subject: Re: Discrete vs. continuous
    >
    > I have thought about this issue as we move from
    using
    > discrete speech
    > entirely with our students (it was the only product
    > available when we
    > started
    > with SR) to using NS 4.0 with some of them. I can
    > honestly
    > say that from
    > our
    > experience with many different types of students
    that
    > it
    > still remains so
    > individualized according to the needs, strengths and
    > weaknesses of each
    > student. I have had students go from DD to DNS only
    > to go
    > back to DD
    > speech
    > because they were able to dictate more comfortably
    and
    > accurately. I have
    > had students go from DD to DNS and finally
    appreciate
    > the
    > speed and
    > accuracy.
    >
    > I think that speech patterns, breath support,
    > articulation
    > and fluency
    > remain an issue with continuous speech but I will
    > continue
    > to explore all
    > possibilities for our students and not be swayed by
    > preconceived ideas
    > about
    > either program. We still have more students using
    > discrete
    > speech than
    > continuous speech although those numbers keep
    > increasing as
    > we expand the
    > program. I still think there will be a need for both
    > types
    > of programs.
    > Hope
    > to hear from others on this issue.
    >
    > Nancy Icke
    > ITS
    > Fairfax County Public Schools
    >

    ____________________________________________________________
    To post a message to the spk2wrt list, send your message to:
    spk2wrt@mail.edc.org. To reply to a message, simply use the reply button in
    your email program (do not change the subject line in any way). To access the
    spk2wrt archive containing a full list of all discussion threads to date, point
    your Web browser to: http://www.edc.org/spk2wrt/hypermail/. For questions about
    this list, please send a message to: spk2wrt@edc.org. For more information
    about the Speaking to Write project, please visit our Web site at:
    http://www.edc.org/spk2wrt



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Mar 27 2000 - 12:14:01 EST