Dictation software - reviewed by a savvy teen

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A couple of times on this blog I have mentioned voice-to-text software.  Specifically, I’ve talked quite a bit about Dragon Dictate.  But don’t just take it from me.  If you’re looking into this and would like a simple account from someone who’s current and having the same kinds of organizational and writing problems you have, check out this article featuring young teens who are finding better ways to study.

Abbie (14) raves about using a big wall calendar. Her best tip:  “I mark not just the date when something has to be finished, but the date when I need to start on it".

Eli (13) is a dab hand at using Dragon Dictate: “I probably add over 50% more detail when I’m doing it this way,” he says of dictating his essays.

Dyslexia means not always getting it (auditory working memory).

When you have dyslexia you typically have trouble with auditory working memory.  -You tend to forget

• things you just tried to learn
• the steps you were just told
• what you were just doing

So you probably had a bad time in school with multiplication tables, following the teacher’s instructions and learning to read by sounding-out. And that’s why you’re probably a whiz now at using a calendar and daily organizer, voice recognition apps or plain old to-do lists.  It's also why, if you have a child who’s having a hard time at school, you can be their best mentor and advocate!  -Ask the teacher to please simplify her instructions, provide check lists and be, well, cool with it! 

(Oh, and don't be fooled -You'd think every teacher would know this already, being trained and all, wouldn't you. You'd think you wouldn't have to check.  Umm, no. Check this stuff. Check again. And keep checking.)