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Using Dictation in the Classroom: Mac OS and IOS

For many students, dictation is an efficient way to input text.

Dictation is a voice-to-text feature giving students the ability to talk to his/her device rather than type.  Dictation is available anytime there is text field or the virtual keyboard is on the screen.  Dictation must be turned on in Settings and Internet is required.

To Enable or Disable Dictation

Launch the Settings App > General > Keyboard > Scroll down to Enable Dictation

Using Dictation

Dictation is frequently used when texting, inserting text when doing an Internet search, and for other quick text input activities.  Dictation is a mainstream feature and is an efficient means of inputting text for many people; students who use VoiceOver, young students who have not yet mastered keyboarding or spelling skills, and for students with physical disabilities frequently find that using dictation is the most efficient method of inserting text. Diction can save a lot of time!

When using dictation, punctuation commands and symbols are verbally spoken.  Example: “Where are you (question mark)”

Dictation and Education

Many students love dictation as it is a quick and easy method of inputting text.  It is important to consider the goal of the student’s current activity to determine if dictation is an appropriate tool to accomplish this goal.  Using dictation beside peers during a spelling test is probably not a good idea!  However, using dictation (or Siri) to quickly input text to complete an Internet search is an efficient way to accomplish the goal, allowing your student to keep up with his or her peers during a class activity.  For most students, using dictation to write a report is not the best method to input the text.  However, there are some students who are unable to type; using dictation to write a report may be the best and/or only way method for these students to write the report.  Be sure to discuss with your student when – and why – dictation should/should not be used.

It is important to encourage students to include good grammar and punctuation when using dictation.  Students who rely on listening to screen readers (without refreshable braille) can become sloppy with punctuation and students who use dictation when texting, often get into the habit of taking shortcuts and dropping punctuation.  

Be sure to proofread after dictating!  When using VoiceOver, use a split tap when deleting characters.  (Drag a finger to and hold the finger on the delete button.  Tap the screen multiple times with a second finger.)

Here is a detailed list of the dictation commands:

Dictation Commands

Punctuation and Special Character Commands

By Diane Brauner

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