DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION

DRAGON NATURALLY SPEAKING

VOICE RECOGNITION

ACTIVITIES

STUDENT ASSESSMENT

Competencies	YES	NO
Do you have your microphone in the correct position and is this position consistent each day?
Do you select your user file?
Did you run the audio setup?
Are you enunciating clearly?
Can you say voice commands?
Are you able to select, correct, and train words?
Are you speaking too fast or too slow?
Are you correcting misused words in the proper way?
Do you save your data and speech files?
Can you control word, line, and paragraph spacing?
Can you dictate punctuation marks and special characters?
Can you dictate a variety of numbers, including digits, math symbols, phone numbers, dollar amounts, fractions, dates, and times?
Can you work with hyphenated and compound words?
Do you use your mouse only as needed?
Do you keep your hands away from the keyboard?
Comments:

NOTES

¬ For all activities, be sure to have your reference card handy.

¬ You may not use your keyboard at all; you can use your mouse if needed.

¬ All documents should be prepared using Courier New font, size 14.

¬ Correct recognition errors using "Correct That" so that the computer can learn your voice.

¬ Dictate your name and the Activity # at the end of each document before printing.

¬ When dictating, be sure your microphone is on; if you need to stop for a moment, say [GO TO SLEEP] to put your microphone on standby. [WAKE UP] will bring it back into action.

¬ Back up your speech files regularly; also be sure you use your voice profile and not someone else's or you will many problems!

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #1

Dictate the information that is not in italics:

My name is ________ ________.

Is your name spelled correctly? If not, say [CORRECT THAT]. The correction dialog box will appear. If you see the appropriate choice (say #2 is correct) say [SELECT TWO]. If it is not there, spell the word or phrase correctly (don't forget to say SPACE), then say [CLICK TRAIN]. Next, say [CLICK RECORD]. You should see your word. Say it. Then say [CLICK DONE]. Then [CLICK OK]. This can also be done with the mouse, but it is faster to do it by voice.

If you make an error in dictation, perhaps you did not say something clear enough, say [SCRATCH THAT] to say it again. It will delete what was just typed on the screen and wait for you to say something else.

Dictate the following; use VOICE CORRECTION and train any unrecognized words. Remember, the more you train, the better the computer will understand you.

I attend Oran High School.

Jack and Jill went up a hill.

Little Boy Blue come blow your horn.

The computer must learn your voice.

You must train it effectively.

Do not give up; the computer wants to learn!

I am doing my first activity.

Do not fret; the computer will eventually learn. Hopefully, if you say Jack, it will now understand you. If Little Boy Blue comes and sits next to you, he will hopefully be your buddy. Isn't that nice? You are in Mrs. Skinner's business technology class right now. Aren't you a lucky person? Yes!

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 1, and print.
DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #2

Numbers are a bit of a problem in voice dictation. Dictating the numerals themselves is no problem, but numbers come in a wide variety of formats, all of which must be dictated somewhat differently. Number formats include dates, times, phone numbers, roman numerals, numbers spelled with hyphens, numbers written with commas, and so on.

To dictate numbers, use the following strategies:

¬ To dictate the numbers 1 through 10, say the number. If you dictate a single-digit number as part of a sentence, Dragon will spell it out as a word; otherwise it will write the numeral. To force the program to recognize the number as a numeral (8 instead of eight) say [NUMERAL] and then the number.

¬ To dictate the numbers 11 through 99, say them the way you normally would. Dragon always recognizes these words as numerals. Say fourteen to write 14, etc.

¬ To dictate a number in the hundreds, say it as a one-digit number followed by a two-digit number. For example, say three fifty-seven to write 357. You can also say the individual digits, such as four oh nine for 409. The digit 0 can also be dictated by saying zero.

¬ Say hundred to write 00. For example, say four hundred to write 400. This gets tricky because Dragon will interpret two hundred one as 2001 instead of 201.

¬ To dictate larger numbers, say them in one- or two- number combinations. Say [COMMA] to insert a comma in the appropriate column. For example, say three [COMMA] four twenty-one to write 3,421. Say six [COMMA] eight thirty-three [COMMA] seven fifteen to write 6,833,715.

¬ Say thousand to enter 000, but do not use hundred or thousand to dictate part of a larger number.

¬ To dictate dates, say [MONTH][DAY][COMMA][YEAR]. For example, say April 25 [COMMA] nineteen ninety-nine to write April 15, 1999. For years after 2000, say two thousand one, and so on.

¬ To dictate telephone numbers, say the first three digits, then [HYPHEN] followed by the next four digits. For example, say four seven three [HYPHEN] two nine nine six for 473-2996. If you need to include an area code or indicate a toll-free number, say [LEFT PAREN] eight hundred [RIGHT PAREN], followed by the remaining digits.

¬ To dictate U.S. currency, say [DOLLAR SIGN], followed by the number. If the value includes cents, such as $5.25, say [DOLLAR SIGN] five [POINT] twenty-five.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

100 200 1000 2000

358 489 777 343 291 999 876

2+2=4

12+44=56

5*5=25

345>123

200/100=2

555-1212

262-3345

(573) 651-2000

$5.25

$123.67

$1235.76

$1000.01

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 2, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #3

Using your reference card, make notes on the following sheet before dictating so you know how to properly dictate punctuation marks. Then dictate as is shown below; be sure to use "correct that" to correct and train your errors:

The dog is running to the store. If the dog doesn't run to the store, he will probably run elsewhere. Little Boy Blue! What are you doing here? (He is not supposed to be here)

He is the #1 fan for *all* of the Eagles fans. Mary had a little lamb, but she didn't treat the lamb very nicely. So, the lamb [a fat lamb, at that] was taken away from her and you can imagine the outcome.

Jack & Jill both came to see 50% of the "great happenings" at the store: grand opening, grand closing, and abduction of Mary's lamb.

I was thinking...maybe the reason---and I really think this is true---that the Little Boy Blue has so many problems, is that he is really sad inside.

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 3, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #4

There are 24 bottles of liquid paper on my desk; you may use one bottle. Do not make a mess, though. There are probably 5 students that will be borrowing the liquid paper this hour.

If you call me at 555-9090, then I might be able to assist you. There will be a one-time fee of $5.65. That is not an excessive charge. It will be well worth your money.

It is well known that 100+100=200. But, did you know that 5+25=30? You probably do. How about this one? 40*8=320. That was a tough one, wasn't it? Yes, it was! (smile)

Hopefully, you are learning how to dictate all these special symbols and numbers. It will makes things much easier come test time. MUCH EASIER! 200% easier, as a matter of fact!

Take care and have fun, okay? *SMILES*

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 4, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #5

Use Courier New, size 13 for this activity. Dictate as is shown below; be sure to use "correct that" to correct and train your errors. Use your mouse to bold and center the heading.

SILLY NURSERY RHYMES

Little Jack Horner sat in a corner,

Eating his Christmas pie,

He stuck in his thumb, and pulled out a plum, and said:

"What is this doing in my apple pie?"

Little boy blue, come blow your horn,

The sheep's in the meadow, The cow's in the corn.

And where is the boy who looks after the sheep?

I don't know, but he's in big trouble.

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick,

Jack jumped over the candlestick.

Jack! Your pants are on fire!

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the King's horses and all the King's men

Ate scrambled egg for two weeks.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells, and cockle shells,

And one stupid potato.

Hickory dickory dock,

Two mice ran up the clock,

The clock struck one,

But the other one got away.

Mary had a little lamb,

Its fleece was white as snow,

And everywhere that Mary went,

She stepped in lamb poop.

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 5, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #6

Dictate as is shown below; be sure to use "correct that" to correct and train your errors. Use your mouse to center the headings.

SPOT THE DOG

My name is Spot; I own a car lot, also a yacht;

I love to eat rot, out of a pot;

I just bumped my head;

Now I am dead.

JACK

There once was a small dude named Jack;

Who never could eat a Big Mac;

Then one day at the wharf;

Sick old Jack had to barf;

But it bounced off his shoe with a "thwack!"

SCHWIG

There once was a rich guy named Schwig;

Who ate all his food like a pig;

'Till one day he did find;

That his little behind;

Was even too large to be big.

SMELLY NELLY

There once was an insect named Nelly;

Who stank like a sock, she was smelly!

Then one day someone told her the furious odor;

Came from the mold on her belly.

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 6, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION QUIZ #1

Write what should be said to make the following things occur in Word using Dragon Naturally Speaking Essentials.

1. How do you make the computer go down two lines in one command? (leaving one blank line)

2. How do you make the computer "enter" once?

3. If you dictated the word dog and decided to capitalize all three letters, what would you say?

4. If you dictated the word Skinner and the computer forgot to capitalize the S, what would you say?

5. If you wanted to type the word five, what would you say?

6. If you wanted to type the number 5, what would you say?

7. Explain the process for correcting and training an error. Use the words below and balloon in your example.

8. List the voice commands for launching MS Word.

9. Write exactly what you would say to dictate this: (800) 455-9000

10. How do you tell your microphone to go on standby?

11. How do you take your microphone off standby so it can again listen to your commands?

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #7

Use Courier New, size 12 for this activity. Dictate as is shown below; be sure to use "correct that" to correct and train your errors. Use your mouse to bold and center the heading.

International Calls: Telephone Tips for Travelers

The easiest way to make calls overseas is to simply pick up the phone in your hotel room and give the operator the number you want to reach (assuming the operator speaks English). That route, however, is usually the most expensive because of exorbitant surcharges. There are several moneysaving alternatives—be sure to utilize all your options on your next trip abroad.

Direct Access Numbers

You can access the big phone companies (AT&T, MCI, and Sprint) directly from most countries. To place a call, just dial the designated number for the country you're in, enter the number you wish to reach, and dial your calling-card numbers. A typical rate in Europe is about $3 for the first minute and then $1.75-$2 for each additional minute.

Callback Companies

These services provide US international long distance rates in countries outside the United States. The process may sound a little bit confusing, but it's relatively simple and the least expensive way to make international calls.

You begin by establishing an account with a callback service. Typically, you'll be charged an annual service fee of $20-$40 (though, quite often, this fee is less than you'd pay for a direct-dialed international call). The callback service will supply you with a US phone number that is connected to the callback service's computer system.

Once abroad, you call this US number for free or next to nothing, and just let the line ring several times, then hang up. The computer will then recognize your call request, and your phone will ring virtually instantaneously. On the other end will be a US dial tone; you can now make calls from international locations at extremely low US rates.

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 7, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #8

Use Courier New, size 14 for this activity. Dictate as is shown below; be sure to use "correct that" to correct and train your errors. Use your mouse to bold and center the heading. Be sure to use the command to TAB.

MISSOURI AREA CODES

314: Bridgeton

Chesterfield

Florissant

Hazelwood

Maryland Heights

Saint Ann

Saint Louis

417: Ash Grove

Branson

Joplin

Lebanon

Neosho

Nevada

Ozark

Springfield

573: Cape Girardeau

Columbia

Hannibal

Jefferson City

Sikeston

636: Arnold

Festus

Florissant

Saint Peters

Troy

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 8, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #9

Use Courier New, size 12 for this activity. Dictate as is shown below; be sure to use "correct that" to correct and train your errors. Use your mouse to bold and center the heading. Be sure to use the command to TAB for paragraphs.

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Introductions

The proper way to make an introduction is to introduce a lower-ranking person to a higher-ranking person. For example, if your CEO is Mrs. Jones and you are introducing administrative assistant Jane Smith to her, the correct introduction would be, "Mrs. Jones, I’d like you to meet Jane Smith." If you forget a person’s name while making an introduction, don’t panic. Proceed with the introduction with a statement such as, "I’m sorry, your name has just slipped my mind."

Handshakes

The physical connection you make when shaking hands with someone can leave a powerful impression. When someone’s handshake is unpleasant in any way, we often associate negative character traits with that person. A firm handshake made with direct eye contact sets the stage for a positive encounter.

Electronic Etiquette

Email can create a landmine of professional etiquette. Just because you have the capability to reach someone 24/7, it doesn’t mean you should.

Email is so prevalent in many of today’s companies that the transmission of jokes, spam and personal notes often constitute more of the messages employees receive than actual work-related material. Remember that your email messages are an example of your professional correspondence. Professional correspondence does not include smiley faces or similar emoticons.

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 9, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #10

Use Courier New, size 14 for this activity. Dictate as is shown below; be sure to use "correct that" to correct and train your errors. Print. Then, make the corrections noted in the box below and print again. Use the move, delete, and other commands to perform the changes.

BUSINESS LUNCHES

Whether you are on a big business trip or simply meeting a client, at some point you may conduct business over dinner or lunch. Make sure you brush up on your dining etiquette skills before you go. Here are some tips if you’re planning to close the deal over a meal:

1. Don’t waste people’s time

2. Make reservations.

3. Have an agenda.

4. Take care of the bill.

5. Turn off your cell phones and pagers.

6. Remember your table manners.

7. Greet your guest at the door when they arrive.

8. Follow up after the fact.

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 10, and print.

Tab the first paragraph; delete the word big in the first sentence; delete the word skills in the second sentence; add a period at the end of bulleted item #1; delete the word an on #3 and replace it with a typed; add the word restaurant before the word bill on #4; delete at the door when they arrive on #7 and instead put and walk your guest out; Delete the entire line for #8.

Save as VOICE ACTIVITY 10B, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #11

Use Courier New, size 14 for this activity. Dictate as is shown below, but write in by hand what you are going to say on your original list before dictating; be sure to use "correct that" to correct and train your errors. Print. Then, make the corrections noted in the box below and print again. Use the move, delete, and other commands to perform the changes.

TOP 10 REASONS TO ATTEND ORAN HIGH SCHOOL

Oran High School in Oran, Missouri, is a great place to go to school. Here are my top 10 reasons you should be an Eagle:

10.

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 11, and print.

DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVITY #12

Use Courier New, size 14 for this activity. Dictate as is shown below, but write in by hand what you are going to say before dictating; be sure to use "correct that" to correct and train your errors. Print. Then, make the corrections noted in the box below and print again. Use the move, delete, and other commands to perform the changes.

ADVICE FOR KEEPING TEACHERS HAPPY

As a student at Oran High School, I have lots of great advice for new students about how to do well in class by keeping the staff happy. Here are my top 10 ways to accomplish that:

10.

Dictate your name and activity number; save as VOICE ACTIVITY 12, and print.