Learning through Social Engagement: Using Speech to Text Technology to Support the Education of Returning Veterans Valerie Claire Haven, Academic Technology Coordinator Ross Center for Disability Services University of Massachusetts

Introduction: What Will We be Talking About today? Research shows that returning veterans are not integrating well as adult learners Research shows that returning veterans are not integrating well as adult learners Many veterans with disabilities are unwilling to self-disclose Many veterans with disabilities are unwilling to self-disclose Attending to the social aspects of learning may support these learners in new ways Attending to the social aspects of learning may support these learners in new ways How can we use technology to support the social aspects of learning? How can we use technology to support the social aspects of learning?

What is Speech to Text Technology? Speech to text technology translates audio voice recordings into printed text Speech to text technology translates audio voice recordings into printed text Speech Recognition (S.R.) is based on universal design Speech Recognition (S.R.) is based on universal design S. R. is good for veterans whether or not they have a diagnosed disability S. R. is good for veterans whether or not they have a diagnosed disability S.R. is supportive of learning even if veterans do not want to self-disclose S.R. is supportive of learning even if veterans do not want to self-disclose

What’s On Our Minds Regarding Social Engagement and Learning? Typical classroom procedures may not be conducive to learning Typical classroom procedures may not be conducive to learning Many other learners such as those with English as a second language or older students may struggle with traditional course delivery techniques Many other learners such as those with English as a second language or older students may struggle with traditional course delivery techniques

Our Theory: What We Think is Going On with Returning Veterans in Academia We suspect that a considerable number of people entering active duty have undiagnosed disabilities We suspect that a considerable number of people entering active duty have undiagnosed disabilities If they are injured during their tour of duty they return with compounded disabilities If they are injured during their tour of duty they return with compounded disabilities Traumatic brain injury and hearing loss are the two most commonly identified disabilities Traumatic brain injury and hearing loss are the two most commonly identified disabilities

Why Has the Social Aspects of Learning Gotten Our Attention? Veterans often do not want to self-identify as having a disability Veterans often do not want to self-identify as having a disability They frequently do not register for disability support services They frequently do not register for disability support services It takes time to integrate military experience into an individual’s self-identity as a civilian It takes time to integrate military experience into an individual’s self-identity as a civilian All learning has a social component All learning has a social component

Academic Engagement & Social Engagement are Pretty Much the Same Academic engagement - defined as the student’s effort put into engaging with the learning environment Academic engagement - defined as the student’s effort put into engaging with the learning environment Social engagement is- how the student engages with the community established by the learning environment Social engagement is- how the student engages with the community established by the learning environment Taking notes, answering questions, and sharing in group discussion all have social and academic consequences Taking notes, answering questions, and sharing in group discussion all have social and academic consequences The traditional social classroom environment can cause social anxiety The traditional social classroom environment can cause social anxiety

Why We Think Using Speech to Text Technology Supports Learning Through Social Engagement The social environment of the classroom may produce high levels of social anxiety resulting in distractions which inhibit learning The social environment of the classroom may produce high levels of social anxiety resulting in distractions which inhibit learning Using S.R. to generate an accessible transcript of the lecture reduces social anxiety Using S.R. to generate an accessible transcript of the lecture reduces social anxiety Having access to the transcript of the lecture outside of class, the student is free to focus on the social aspects of participation. In the classroom Having access to the transcript of the lecture outside of class, the student is free to focus on the social aspects of participation. In the classroom S.R. is useful in distance learning classes as well S.R. is useful in distance learning classes as well

The Value of Speech to Text Technology for Returning Veterans The Value of Speech to Text Technology for Returning Veterans Use of Speech Recognition is based on the social model more than the medical model Use of Speech Recognition is based on the social model more than the medical model S.R. does not require the student to self- disclose (stigmatize themselves). S.R. does not require the student to self- disclose (stigmatize themselves). Accommodations are built into the design of the course. Accommodations are built into the design of the course.

What is the Liberated Learning Consortium? The Liberated Learning consortium is an international association of institutions of higher learning who are investigating the evolution of learning through the use of speech to text software applications. The Liberated Learning consortium is an international association of institutions of higher learning who are investigating the evolution of learning through the use of speech to text software applications. IBM built the initial software and hardware for the consortium IBM built the initial software and hardware for the consortium

Our Research Project Our research project examined whether or not Speech to Text software enhanced the social relationships of returning veterans enrolled in an English course. Our research project examined whether or not Speech to Text software enhanced the social relationships of returning veterans enrolled in an English course. Each class session was recorded and then transcribed. Each class session was recorded and then transcribed.

How the Technology Works Once an audio recording of the lecture and class discussion is captured it is processed through a server which extracts the dialogue from the file and converts it into a text transcript. Once an audio recording of the lecture and class discussion is captured it is processed through a server which extracts the dialogue from the file and converts it into a text transcript. The final product is a Flash file containing the original audio file paired with the text which can be read in different formats. The final product is a Flash file containing the original audio file paired with the text which can be read in different formats. A demonstration of the transcribed Power Point presentation A demonstration of the transcribed Power Point presentation

Our Research Findings Sixty percent of the veterans found having access to the lecture helpful Sixty percent of the veterans found having access to the lecture helpful Ten percent of the veterans had difficulty with the technology Ten percent of the veterans had difficulty with the technology Our findings are heuristic Our findings are heuristic

Other Technology Resources for Supporting Social Engagement Incorporate Multiple Intelligences Theory into pedagogy development Incorporate Multiple Intelligences Theory into pedagogy development Use computer games to illustrate core learning objectives Use computer games to illustrate core learning objectives Resource for using technology with MI Resource for using technology with MI Resource for gaming accessibility Resource for gaming accessibility

Conclusion Speech to text technology fosters a model of personal learning which supports learners of all life circumstances. Speech to text technology fosters a model of personal learning which supports learners of all life circumstances. Veterans are able to re-enter higher education while re-acquainting themselves with their academic peers in ways most natural to their newly informed life circumstances. Veterans are able to re-enter higher education while re-acquainting themselves with their academic peers in ways most natural to their newly informed life circumstances.