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Speech-to-text

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Speech-to-text is technology that turns spoken words into written text, so a student can write by talking.

Topic: Assistive technology and AAC

In plain terms

Also called dictation, speech-to-text helps students whose ideas outrun their handwriting or spelling. It works best when students learn to plan before dictating, speak punctuation, and review the text for errors. It is useful for students with dysgraphia, motor needs or slow writing. Accuracy depends on clear speech, a quiet spot and a good microphone, so a classroom plan should say where the student can dictate.

How it shows up in an IEP

Speech-to-text is usually a response accommodation or AT. If a goal measures handwriting or spelling, data for that goal should be collected without it. Some goals target editing dictated text.

Example

Related terms

  • Text-to-speechText-to-speech is technology that reads digital text aloud, often highlighting words as they are spoken.
  • Response accommodationA response accommodation changes how a student shows what they know, such as answering orally, typing, using a scribe or pointing to choices.
  • DysgraphiaDysgraphia is a learning difficulty with writing that can affect handwriting, spelling and putting thoughts into written words.
  • Assistive technology deviceAn assistive technology device is any item, equipment or software used to increase, maintain or improve the abilities of a student with a disability.
  • Written expressionWritten expression is the ability to communicate ideas in writing, including planning, organizing, writing sentences and revising.

On IEP Atlas

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