Speech Recognition in Windows 7
By John Castellaneta
What is Speech Recognition?
Speech Recognition in Windows 7 allows you to control your computer with just your voice. You can navigate through different windows, open and use programs, write documents, and even click anywhere on the screen only using your voice!
How to Active Speech Recognition
Before you activate Speech Recognition, make sure that you have a microphone or headset plugged into your computer.
1) Click the Start button.
2) Open the Control Panel.
3) Open the Ease of Access Center.
4) Click on Speech Recognition and follow the on screen directions to set up your microphone and enable the tool.
5) Complete the Tutorial to learn the basic functions of Speech Recognition.
Method 2:
1) Click on the Start button.
2) Type "Speech Recognition" into the Windows search bar.
3) Select "Speech Recognition" from the search results.
4) Follow the on screen directions to set up your microphone and enable the tool.
5) Complete the Tutorial to learn the basic functions of Speech Recognition.
Use the Ease of Access Center to Configure Speech Recognition
When you start Speech Recognition, the Speech Recognition Bar, as seen below, will appear at the top of your screen.
Say "Start Listening" or click the microphone symbol until the bar says "Listening" like you see below.
You are now ready to use Speech Recognition! See the chart below, from the Windows Help Center, for some basic voice commands.
Basic Voice Commands
Examples of the Speech Recognition Tool in Action:
1) How to click anywhere on the screen with Speech Recognition.
Clicking Anywhere with Windows Speech Recognition
2) How to type with Speech Recognition.
Typing with the Windows Speech Recognition Tool
Speech Recognition as Assistive Technology for Education
In education, the Speech Recognition tool is especially useful to any student who may find it difficult or impossible to use a traditional computer mouse and keyboard as a result of disabilities such as Muscular Dystrophy or injuries such as broken bones. Recent trends in education have resulted in more common use of laptops and computers for daily assignments and homework. It is important that we ensure that ALL students have an equal opportunity to complete assignments to the best of their ability. Assistive technology such as the Speech Recognition tool allows certain students to participate in activities that might otherwise be impossible. Students can use this particular tool to browse the web, participate in online discussions, share and access documents stored in cloud storage, view online videos, type essays and reports, and much more. Speech Recognition is just one of the many forms of assistive technology that help ensure equitable access to technology.