Struggling writers / readers: Anyone used WordQ and SpeakQ?

Have been quite impressed with this software which allows people to

1) read out loud any electronic text they can highlight - eg email, web pages, solical networking (which a human sounding voice which has expression)

2) suggest text and allow them to listen to and refine suggestions - including context phrases for homophones

3) allows teachers to create 'topic lists' from glossary of terms to further help students (by bringing words in that topic list higher up the prediction list)

Interested in any specific uses (eg short tests, gap fill type exercises) or info to compare with other prediction/read out loud software

OR any observations about modern social technologies and the fact that those whose literacy is not strong may be excluded from such interaction without such software.

You can download a trial from http://www.goqsoftware.com

Tags: SEN, literacy, reader, reading, speech, text

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Permalink Reply by Neil MacGregor on January 3, 2011 at 3:21pm

Hey, Thanks for posting on wordQ+speakQ.

I thought I'd add a couple points, and comments.

4) WordQ’s spoken feedback has also been specifically designed to help with proofreading. Instead of something like spell check, students can find, fix and prevent mistakes on their own. Here is a link to the specific tutorial video on proofreading. This has broad appeal to people of all ages that are having difficulty with leaving spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in their work. I personally use this feature heavily on almost all documents and email.

I know of many teachers that use this for facilitating classroom discussions. For 20min each week basis they set up a LCD projector, and use this proofreading method to help discuss particular different writing errors and how to fix them effectively.

5) The SpeakQ plug-in allows people to integrate speech recognition into their typing. They can fluctuate between typing the words they know, and actually saying the words they don’t – whichever is easiest at the time: videos.

Training the speech recognition requires no reading. There are 2min tutorial videos on how to get students started.

On the one hand, the word prediction and the speech recognition is helpful for students that need assistance while writing. It helps to overcome specific obstacles that stifle both the amount of writing, and the quality of the ideas expressed. Some students will use this for assisting with specific vocabulary on projects, essays, and tests.

On the other hand, the proofreading helps to ensure clarity and accuracy after the ideas have been written. Many teachers say that even when students try to re-read their work, they read what they think is on the page, not what is actually there. However, when it is read aloud by wordQ if it doesn't sound as expected the student knows immediately.

6) Lastly, I'd like to point out that we provide complimentary professional licenses. These are for anyone that is using the software specifically for professional purposes: e.g. clinical assessments, evaluations, demonstrations and training. To learn more and see if you qualify visit this link.