Learner Assessment and Text Design Strategies for Distance Education

This paper discusses the observations and implications of using speechrecognition access to computers. The authors used themselves as subjects in this initial exploration using VoiceType2. What they learned about the system was used in the training program they have initiated with dysfunctional adults. Observations from clients are reported. The paper suggests that such access may change the way we will write in the future. It also provides impressions for thoughts on ways in which we shall have to modify writing instruction for dysfunctional adults. Enhancements to such systems are portrayed concerning environments that may be disabling. Resume: Ce document formule des observations relativement a I'utilasation de systemes a reconnaissance vocale comme voles d'acces a I'ordinateur et en examine les incidences eventuelles. Les auteurs servent de cobayes pour cette prem iere experimentation du systeme Voice Jype2, dont ils ont applique par la suite les resultats a un programme de formation concu a I'intention d'adultes dysfonctionnels. Les observations de clients y son) egalement consignees. Cette etude laisse entendre que I'acces vocal a I'ordinateur pourrait bien changer completement nos fagons d'ecrire. Elle lance egalement des pistes de reflexion sur les nouvelles voles que Ton pourrait eventuellement suivre pour I'enseignement de I'ecriture aux adultes dysfonctionnels. Les auteurs decrivent certainesamelioraitons qu'il serait possible d'apporter a ce genre de systemes en fonctlon d'environnements presentant des handicaps. Adaptive vocabulary systems allow the user to access a computer by talking to it directly: thus bypassing the keyboard and 'writing without the use of the hands. It is different from any method of writing that I have ever used. "Writing" is not exactly the word that comes to mind. It feels nothing like I was taught about the act of writing. This article is being composed by talking to the computer. What you are reading is a result of this interaction. There is no pencil to sharpen, no pen to dip in an inkwell, nor any worry about maintaining a consistent cursive slant. There will be some cheating as not all the specialised keystrokes have been mastered yet. Have you noticed the difference? Apart from those few keystrokes, "what I say is what you get." It seems a little futuristic at times. Shows like StarTrek have characters saying "...Computer!..." weekly. Itis fiction; but is it all fantasy? Just how far away are "star dates" ? Picard and his crew might look back at us here in 1993 and smile at our crude technology. They Canadian Journal of Educational Communication, VOL. 23, NO. 2, PAGES 89 100. ISSN 0710-4340