Many think of speech-to-text as a lazy way to write; a technology removed from the act of writing itself and with little educational value for learners.

But speech-to-text can be an incredibly useful tool for improving students’ confidence when writing, accelerating SPaG, and supporting learners with SEND.

Here are our insights into the benefits of speech-to-text for students, informed by our use of this technology in LEO’s classrooms!

What is speech-to-text?

Speech-to-text is speech recognition software that uses AI to transcribe audio content into written words.

We have all encountered this technology at some point in our daily lives, as speech-to-text is used in applications like Siri and Google Assistant.

One of the main reasons why people use speech-to-text is convenience, as hands-free writing can seamlessly fit into our lives and vastly improve the efficiency of tasks like note-taking.

Using speech-to-text in the classroom or as part of at-home assignments, on the other hand, holds a much bigger impact on learning outcomes.

How LEO uses speech-to-text in the classroom

LEO Academy Trust uses Texthelp tools across all its academies to enhance children's learning and create a more inclusive and accessible environment.

One of these tools is Talk&Type, a speech-to-text resource that allows for learners to dictate their thoughts into Google Docs, Google Slides, Word Docs, websites, and more.

Going beyond speech-to-text alone, the Prediction feature in Read&Write is another incredibly useful tool for learners with SEND, particularly those with dyslexia, providing support for typing, spelling and grammar.

The feature not only predicts what the user is typing but also reads the predicted words aloud, helping learners choose the right word for their needs.

LEO classrooms also use resources like Mote and Seesaw to support children with different tasks. Among many other uses, both platforms allow learners to record their thoughts, listen back to their recordings, and see their words transcribed onto the page for editing.

Some of the biggest benefits of speech-to-text for students include:

Reducing cognitive load

There’s a limit to the amount of information that children can process all at once.

Writing requires plenty of focus and cognitive work, as learners need to organise their thoughts and express what they want to say at the same time.

Speech-to-text tools help students reduce cognitive load and take the process of writing one step at a time!

When using a Chromebook, the process of dictation also allows learners to focus on their ideas without being interrupted by typing, which can help with creativity and ideation – especially if they are still not fully confident in their typing skills.

Accessibility

Writing can often be a challenging task for learners with special educational needs such as dyslexia, whether diagnosed or unidentified.

Speech-to-text is a powerful tool for SEND learners, allowing them to complete assignments, participate in teamwork tasks, and get their ideas down on the page independently.

Through our PedTech approach, we have learned that making accessibility tools like speech-to-text available to all students removes the stigma associated with using extra tools and creates a truly inclusive learning environment.

Independence

The use of Talk&Type has made a significant impact on promoting independence among pupils within the Trust. By having their own Chromebook and open access to the full suite of Texthelp tools, children at LEO are empowered to choose and use a range of tools based not only on their needs but also fitting their unique learning style and preferences.

This approach gives learners the autonomy to employ these tools effectively, improving their sense of independence.

Efficiency and SPaG

Speech-to-text tools can save considerable time, helping students who might forget their ideas once they try to write as well as students who struggle with getting any words on the page once they open a blank document.

Speech-to-text also helps students tackle common SPaG mistakes, from typos to more complex spelling issues. The technology is able to automatically transcribe audio into the correct text, helping learners proofread their work in a more efficient way and notice mistakes they might have made when writing.

There are also instances where the speech-to-text tool might mishear certain words, offering another crucial benefit: the possibility for learners to proofread the text themselves and look up definitions for their spelling.

A valuable learning experience

The purpose of using speech-to-text in the classroom isn’t to replace the fundamental skill of writing or typing.

Instead, the process of vocalising ideas can be a precious learning experience in itself, offering students a new way to approach writing and ideation, with less pressure and improved accessibility.

When learners are able to watch their thoughts fill a page, they gain confidence in their abilities and their ideas, without the act of writing holding them back from starting at all. Once they have text to revise, they can use the opportunity to spell-check and proofread for grammar, getting great practice in editing their own writing.

To learn more about the use of Texthelp tools and digital learning at LEO, head over to our Digital Learning page!