Speech Technology and its Potential for Special Education

Speech technology typically refers to technology that enables machines to receive and accept human oral language as input and respond with human or human-like oral language as output. Speech technology has recently become increasingly mature and available to the general public. At the same time, there has been an increase in the interest in using speech technology to support learning for students with disabilities. This article surveys the current capacities of speech technology, reviews its existing and potential uses in education in general and special education in particular, and recommends research and development actions and strategies for realizing the potential of speech technology for learners with disabilities.

[1]  Eleanor L. Higgins,et al.  The Compensatory Effectiveness of the Quicktionary Reading Pen II on the Reading Comprehension of Students with Learning Disabilities , 2004 .

[2]  L. Lewandowski,et al.  Bimodal Reading: Benefits of a Talking Computer for Average and Less Skilled Readers , 1996, Journal of learning disabilities.

[3]  Charles A. Perfetti,et al.  Learning To Read: Literacy Acquisition by Children and Adults. , 1995 .

[4]  David Williamson Shaffer,et al.  Epistemic Games as Career Preparatory Experiences for Students with Disabilities , 2007 .

[5]  Joseph K. Torgesen,et al.  An Evaluation of Computer-Assisted Instruction in Phonological Awareness with below Average Readers , 1995 .

[6]  Eleanor L. Higgins,et al.  Speaking to Read: The Effects of Continuous vs. Discrete Speech Recognition Systems on the Reading and Spelling of Children with Learning Disabilities , 1999 .

[7]  S. Graham.  Handwriting and Spelling Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities: A Review , 1999 .

[8]  Ingvar Lundberg,et al.  The Computer as a Tool of Remediation in the Education of Students with Reading Disabilities—A Theory-Based Approach , 1995 .

[9]  Karen E. Forgrave,et al.  Assistive Technology: Empowering Students with Learning Disabilities , 2002 .

[10]  K. Frank,et al.  Factors Affecting Technology Uses in Schools: An Ecological Perspective , 2003 .

[11]  Charles A. MacArthur,et al.  From Illegible to Understandable , 1998 .

[12]  Stephen A LaRocca,et al.  On the Path to 2X Learning: Exploring the Possibilities of Advanced Speech Recognition. , 1999 .

[13]  V. Melissa Holland,et al.  Preliminary Tests of Language Learning in a Speech-Interactive Graphics Microworld. , 1999 .

[14]  K. Roberts,et al.  The use of voice recognition software as a compensatory strategy for postsecondary education students receiving services under the category of learning disabled , 2003 .

[15]  Rena B. Lewis,et al.  Assistive Technology and Learning Disabilities , 1998, Journal of learning disabilities.