SpeakQ
by Quillsoft Ltd
SpeakQ helps you focus on writing through your voice... simply!
SpeakQ is for those who cannot use other speech recognition products because they cannot fluently dictate at fast rate, remember verbal commands, and/or get through training.
SpeakQ plugs into WordQ 2 and adds simple speech recognition. Conventional speech recognition systems are designed primarily as a productivity tool for persons who have no trouble writing (and dictating) or as an alternative hands-free access tool for persons with physical disabilities. WordQ/SpeakQ, on the other hand, is for those who can type but who have trouble writing and reading in the first place. They can benefit from a combination of word prediction, speech output and speech input to generate text when stuck with spelling and word forms, identifying errors, proofreading and editing. Such users may find it difficult or impossible to use other speech recognition products because of reading demands and complexity.
SpeakQ features a simple training interface where the computer prompts you by voice what to say. You can then dictate directly into any document or dictate into WordQ’s prediction list. Your speech is combined with the word prediction. To keep it simple, there are no verbal commands. You only dictate text. Teachers in special education will appreciate its simplicity.
Issues with conventional speech recognition:
- Difficult or impossible to customise training text
- Often difficult to read training text
- Continuous dictation is difficult
- Difficult to monitor recognised speech
- Complex control and correction
- Unable to integrate word prediction and speech feedback
- Inevitable return to keyboard-only use
SpeakQ offers these solutions:
- Simplified customisable training
- Speech prompting during training
- Discrete (combined with word prediction) or continuous dictation modes
- Ongoing speech feedback of recognised words
- No verbal commands for control or correction
- Tightly integrated word prediction, speech feedback and speech input
- Assumes that user will both type and use speech recognition
What can I do with SpeakQ?
You can do everything that WordQ 2 does, plus you can write by speaking. At any time you have the choice of typing with the keyboard, using word prediction, or speaking straight into your text. Speech recognition and word prediction are integrated to enhance the effectiveness of each other.
You can train SpeakQ to recognise your speech using texts provided that match your reading level or you can write your own training texts. An innovative training interface makes training simple. Just listen to the computer speak and repeat after it!
Once you have finished training, you can begin dictation using one of two dictation modes:
- In the Speak and Select Mode spoken words are displayed as a list of choices enhanced by word predictions. You then select from the list of words or phrases (using the keyboard or mouse), or type letters to further refine the suggestions.
- In the Speak Continuously Mode your spoken words are typed directly into your document as you say them.
Recognised words and phrases are immediately read aloud to help you identify mis-recognitions. To help you make any corrections, highly accurate word predictions are suggested by combining speech with predictive information. As a result, the desired word can be selected with a minimum number of keystrokes.
It may take you some time to work out for yourself how to balance typing with speaking. Everyone is different.
Key benefits
- Enjoy all of the existing benefits of WordQ
- Train speech recognition using training text of your choice
- Train using speech prompting if you have difficulty reading the training text
- Work directly within any standard application (e.g. Microsoft Word, Wordpad, Outlook)
- Dictate either continuously into a document or discretely into the word prediction box
- Dictate in phrases or individual words
- Hear what the computer recognises
- Type, use word prediction, or speak-to-write at any point in your writing
- Make corrections using speech-enabled word prediction
- Back-up and restore your speech profile
- Use speech recognition without having to learn and memorise speech commands
“There’s nothing on the market that combines speech recognition and
word prediction as a single product in this way.” – Bob Follansbee, Education Development Centre
“SpeakQ is developed in a manner that keeps the focus where it should be!” – ATP
“The Speak and select feature is terrific. It will make it easier to train younger students on speech recognition.” – Ed.D.
“Training is very easy. We liked the choices for training by age and reading ability.” – Special Educator
“I had a 9-year-old laugh out loud and say, “Look at that – I wrote a paragraph.” SpeakQ worked for her! It has gotten my approval” – Teacher
“Before this technology, my son’s school only ever saw him as a learning-disabled child with a pile of deficits. Now they see a kid with all these strengths.” – Parent
SpeakQ development background
SpeakQ was developed by a research and development team at Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre in collaboration with the Education Development Centre (Newton, MA) with funding from the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research, US Department of Education Grant No. H133G000204-02 as well as the Ontario Rehabilitation Technology Consortium.
Speech recognition technology enhances the writing abilities of many individuals, yet some individuals who may benefit from this technology, do not pursue its use. In the case of some students with learning disabilities, present-day speech recognition products do not meet their needs due to reading demands, operational complexity, and the lack of integration with assistive technologies such as word prediction and text-to-speech. This has led to the development of SpeakQ, an innovative new software program that combines the power of speech recognition with concurrent access to other technologies, and offers students a writing solution with distinct advantages.
SpeakQ enables users to dictate words into any standard Microsoft Windows document in either a continuous or discrete word-by-word manner. SpeakQ is used in combination with WordQ 2, a writing tool with advanced word prediction and text-to-speech capabilities. Together, these tools provide an integrated and flexible approach to writing, and assist students with their spelling, proofreading, and editing activities. Students now have the option to dictate text, type on their keyboard, choose word predictions from a list, or alternate between these methods, each of which has been optimized to enhance the effectiveness of the other.
Designed with ease-of-use in mind, SpeakQ simplifies speech recognition technology. During the training (or enrolment) process, SpeakQ automatically reads the required training text to users, who then need only to repeat the spoken words or phrases at their own pace. At the same time, the training display minimizes visual distractions, and accommodates users with visual differences. To reduce the complexity of dictation, SpeakQ emphasizes the task of writing, and eliminates the need to memorize voice commands. In addition, recognized words and phrases are immediately read aloud to facilitate the detection of recognition errors. Then, to facilitate error correction, highly accurate word alternatives are suggested by combining speech data with statistical predictive data. As a result, the desired word can be selected with a minimum number of keystrokes.
SpeakQ supports two styles of dictation. Like other speech recognition products, it allows users to dictate text directly into their documents. In addition, it also supports a style of dictation that is unique to SpeakQ. This approach uses word prediction capabilities and introduces a concept Quillsoft calls “speech-enabled word prediction”. In effect, spoken words are displayed as a list of choices enhanced by word predictions. Users select from the list of words, or type letters to further refine their choices. By using this approach, not only can students control the words that are entered into their documents as they speak, but they can also improve the accuracy of the words. Consequently, they can spend less time correcting recognition errors, and more time on the real task of writing.
Videos about SpeakQ
Requirements and ResourcesexpandClick to collapse
System Requirements
- Windows
- WordQ 2 software
- Operating System: Windows 98, ME, NT (SP6+), 2000, XP (Version 1.4 or later supports Windows Vista, version 1.7 supports Windows 7 32 and 64 bit – please request these versions if you require compatibility with the Operating System on your computer)
- Minimum RAM: 512 MB
- Hard Drive Space Required: 200+ MB
- Minimum Processor: Pentium 1 GHz or equivalent (2+ GHz recommended)
- Sound card, noise-cancelling microphone (headset or desktop), and headset or desktop speakers.
- WordQ 2 software
Multi-user Purchase Options
Multi-user options offer an economical way to purchase the SpeakQ program.
The discounted prices are as listed below and start when you purchase 5 or more licences of the program. When you purchase 25 or more of the program, the price per computer drops even further. To be eligible for this discounted purchasing, these volume purchases must be purchased on the one order, requiring only one invoice, and for delivery to one address (a “site”).
View/Download
- The importance of word prediction and speech feedback – Whitepaper by Dr Colin J. Laine, Professor Emeritus, The University of Western Ontario
- SpeakQ version 1.7 30-day Demo – (55 MB)
- Free Update to SpeakQ v1.7
- SpeakQ 1.7 User Guide – (pdf 334 KB)
SpeakQ is targeted at the following age ranges:
- Mid Primary
- Upper Primary
- Secondary School
- Adult
SpeakQ is designed to foster development in the areas of:
- Literacy
Users can access SpeakQ in the following ways:
- Voice
For more information on "SpeakQ" read the following articles:
- Full Story - Voice Recognition Software Consumer Report, by ConsumerSearch, updated 10/2005 - (pdf)
- WordQ / SpeakQ Review
- WordQ / SpeakQ: Integrating word prediction and speech input to help struggling writers
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and technical support visit:
Prices
Add items to your shopping list for creating an online quote, or purchasing them securely online.
Simply "tick" the boxes next to each item then click "Add Selected Items to List".
Freight free shipping anywhere within Australia or New Zealand!
Prices are listed in Australian Dollars