Re: Discrete vs. continuous

From: spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org
Date: Tue Mar 28 2000 - 09:04:11 EST

  • Next message: spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org: "VRUG L&H buys Dragon"

    What about students using ventilators ...breathing sometimes interrupts the
    speech
    process...continous does not work well for those students...

    spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org wrote:

    > 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 : Tue Mar 28 2000 - 15:12:00 EST