Google Doc Voice Typing

Google Docs recently added Voice Typing tool provides a voice recognition tool for word processing within Google Chrome. This is a great new feature in Google Docs that requires no training and little set up. Voice Typing can be turned on in Google Docs under the Tools menu:

Using my computer’s microphone resulted in good speech recognition when using Voice Typing, matter of fact it is quite impressive!  In the past, voice commands for editing, navigating or formatting using dictation in Google were limited, reducing the functionality of the tool. Recent updates finds Google has added many new commands supporting speech recognition for more than just dictation but for navigation, correction and also for individuals who use screen reading to speak the cursor location, speak formatting among other options.

Here is a video on the new voice typing and commands:

A full list of all of the Google Voice Typing commands are available here: Type with Your Voice . Here are the Voice Typing command topics currently available (each area can be expanded showing numerous commands in the online resource. Note the below image does not have active links):

Note- the above Voice Typing is only available in Google Docs and when using Google Chrome browsers.

If you are a GAFE school or a Google Chrome and Google Doc user interested in using speech recognition, check this feature out. Certainly how this functions may be dependent on your computer’s processor, voice quality and microphone. You may want to consider using a noise cancelling microphone headset for noisy environments.

How exciting to see universal design expand!

More for your OT eTool Kit!

Carol