Blog Post #4 - ISCI 761: Digital Tools as an Adaptive Technology Resource
This graphic features the Google Voice Typing tool with a large red microphone button, showing the software is ready to record speech and turn it into text.
Before I became a teacher, I did not give much thought to the multitude of adaptive technologies available for students to utilize in the classroom. However, over the past two years in my career, my eyes have been opened to all there is to offer my students. For this blog post, I have chosen to highlight a digital tool that is used more often than not in my high school English classroom. Google's internal Speech-to-Text feature allows learners who struggle with writing or typing to speak what they are wanting to write in their Google Doc. When used correctly, the speech-to-text feature can be extremely valuable to students of varying academic levels.
Google's speech-to-text tool, typically accessed through Google Docs, allows the user to voice their thoughts rather than type them. It records spoken words in real time using the student's device's built-in microphone. This is a game-changer for students who struggle with fine motor skills/keyboard use, have dyslexia or other learning disabilities that make typing difficult, are able to process spoken thoughts more easily, or are MLLs (Multilingual Learners) that need to work on verbal language fluency.
How to Locate, Access, and Use Google's Speech-to-Text Feature
1. Open Google Docs on any browser.
2. Click on the "Tools" menu.
3. Choose "Voice typing..." from the options available.
4. Click on the microphone icon that will pop up on the left side of the screen.
5. Speak clearly and it will start transcribing your thoughts!
Resources for Teachers or School Librarians
"How to Use Voice-to-Text in Google Docs" by Tasia Custode via YouTube
"Google Tools for Speech to Text" by Eric Curts via YouTube
"Voice Typing Changes Everything - So much more than Dictation!" by dottotech via YouTube
As a high school English teacher, I will forever encourage the usage of Google's Voice-to-Text feature when completing assignments. In my inclusion/co-taught classes alone, over 75% of my students prefer to use speech-to-text because they feel more comfortable voicing their thoughts aloud. They are not as confident in their typing abilities and more often than not, this slows them down. I noticed a drastic shift in the amount of work that was getting turned in during class time once I started recommending this tactic to my students. Google's Speech-to-Text feature is a high-impact form of adaptive technology that allows my students to express themselves and progress academically in a nontraditional way. I highly recommend every classroom teacher or school librarian encouraging their students to try voice-to-text in academic settings.
Ms. Wiggins, I really enjoyed the videos included in this post. It helped me to see Google's Speech to Text. That is so interesting too, that over 75% of your students prefer to use speech-to-text. I understand entirely that, because sometimes it is easier (even for me) to get my thoughts quickly out that way. Mentioning limitations to typing is something that I see on the elementary school level a lot. Some schools I have worked at do not include a typing program/time, leaving early learners without exposure to keyboarding skills and digital literacy. Exposure to it is important...early!
ReplyDeleteAlso, check out my post, it is like the reverse of yours!
I really appreciated how you connected this resource directly to your students' needs and the positive changes you've seen in your classroom. It’s so powerful to hear that over 75% of your students in inclusion/co-taught classes prefer using voice typing! It really highlights how adaptive technology can empower students and remove barriers to learning.
ReplyDeleteI actually just discovered this feature myself while exploring adaptive technology for my own Blog Post #4 and I was shocked I hadn’t come across it before! I consider myself an avid Google user, and yet I had no idea this tool was built right into Google platforms. It’s such a simple but impactful option that makes a big difference, especially for students who struggle with traditional typing or written expression.
Thank you for sharing!
I have seen the SPeech to Text tool often but have very rarely used it or encouraged students to use it. Reading your post, I can see ways and reasons it could be used that I hadn't considered. The suggestion that was most enlightening was for multilingual learners to practice their verbal communication skills. I have always tried to have conversations with these learners for them to practice using English, and even encouraged them to teach me some of their native language to make it a reciprocal exchange. I can see how your suggested technique would be less pressure for them. If in the future I encounter more of these learners, I think I will offer them this tip.
ReplyDelete