Train the system and input simple documents using speech writing techniques.

Getting Started  Adjust the microphone properly  Become familiar with your headset  Complete the initial training  Retrain if necessary  Profile selection and getting started  Speed and accuracy

Adjust the microphone properly  Position microphone approximately one inch from your mouth.  Position the microphone slightly to the side.  Make sure the microphone is positioned properly during each session.

Become familiar with your headset  If you have a volume control, adjust it if necessary.  If you have an on/off switch, become familiar with it and always check to make sure it is on when dictating.

Complete the initial training  Upon starting your dictation software, go to the user menu and put your name in the profile, if instructed.  As you begin training, do microphone setup training that is provided.  Continue and read the first training story that the software provides.  Read at least two or three optional training stories (the more stories you read, the more accurate your system will become.)

Retrain if necessary  After you begin using the dictation software, it will become more accurate if you use it properly.  If it tends misunderstand you excessively, your profile may be getting garbled from allowing inaccurate text to be processed. If this happens, read it another training story or two to “fine tune” the system.  If you continue to get unsuccessful results, delete your user profile and start training from the very beginning again. (This is sometimes necessary once you become relaxed and get comfortable and conversant with your system and start speaking to it in a conversational tone.)

Profile selection and dictation  As you begin a session, go to the user menu and make sure that your profile has been selected.  After you have completed the initial training, read simple straight documents to your system in a natural speaking voice.  Don’t worry about editing at this point. It is important to dictate copy so that it can continue building your profile.  Dictate the punctuation as you go and use the “New paragraph” or “New line” commands as appropriate.  If you make errors, use the “Scratch that” command to clear the errors immediately.  Speak to your system in the same manner and tone that you used in training.

Check for Accuracy  After you you have dictated several easy documents, you can check your accuracy.  Your teacher can time you for one minute as you dictate a simple document in Microsoft Word.  At the end of one minute, when your teacher calls time, look at your word count by pulling down “Tools” and then “Word Count” on your MS Word menu.  Count your errors and record your word count and errors.  Use the following formula to determine your accuracy rate: (Word Count – Errors) / Word Count

Check for Speed  After you you have dictated several easy documents, you can check your speed.  Your teacher will time you for one minute as you dictate a simple document in Microsoft Word.  Your teacher can help you set some speed goals.  At the end of one minute, when your teacher calls time, look at your word count by pulling down “Tools” and then “Word Count” on your MS Word menu.  After you have completed several speed drills, you need to read your software at least one story to give it a tune up.