Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service Good Outcomes Positive Futures
Accessing online lessons for Hearing Impaired pupils
Accessing a ‘live’ online lesson for children and young people (CYP) with a hearing loss can be very challenging. If the young person has been issued with a radio aid we would always recommend using the audio lead to plug the transmitter directly into the computer headphone socket. This gives better audio access directly into the young person’s hearing aids.
See link below for details http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site14723/connecting%20a%20radio %20aid%20to%20a%20computer%20or%20laptop.pdf
We would advise the use of subtitles/captions where appropriate.
It is possible to transcribe ‘meetings’ from online platforms. This often involves recording the lesson. This may go against the policy of the school/setting from where the lesson is being broadcast.
Please check with the teacher/school before you record any online lesson.
Microsoft Teams
● Use live captions
Transcription of lesson It is possible to have a full transcript of the ‘Meeting’ (ie the lesson) In order to record and transcribe a lesson you must have all the correct permissions from the Meeting Host (ie the teacher/school)
● Record the lesson in Microsoft Stream ● In settings: AllowTranscription set to true
Refer to the link below for more information about recording and transcribing the lesson https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/cloud- recording#turn-on-or-turn-off-recording-transcription
Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service is hosted by Achieving for Children on behalf of RBWM as part of the Berkshire Joint Agreement between RBWM, Slough, Bracknell Forest, Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire.
Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service: Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1RF
T: 01628 796786 E:[email protected] W: berkshirescs.btck.co.uk
Zoom
● Use live captions
See links below for support in enabling transcription of the meeting https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115004794983-Using- audio-transcription-for-cloud-recordings-
https://get.otter.ai/zoom- teams/?utm_source=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campai gn=Search_Zoom_SelfServe_CPC_TeamsLPTest&utm_term=zoo m%20transcribe%20live&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9P__BRC0ARIsAEZ6irgI GPGPcdByxyUrxQ2pPJV_EPHPb2pTL3jRDUOBBfzIQp0_Hq0ceo 0aAvEkEALw_wcB
Google Meet
● Use live captions
See link below for support in enabling transcription
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/meet- transcript/jkdogkallbmmdhpdjdpmoejkehfeefnb?hl=en
Speech-to-text apps
Another tool that can be used to improve accessibility is using a speech-to- text app. Live transcribe apps convert speech to text. The app picks up speech closest to the phone or tablet’s microphone and converts it to text displayed on the screen.
Here is a list of some speech-to text apps
● SayHi ● Hearing Helper ● Dictate ● Voice Dictation-speechy lite ● Speech-to-text in Evernote and iOS Notes
The NDCS put several apps to the test.
The apps were judged on accuracy, but also user-friendliness, cost, if they were ad free, and if they were set up to help with everyday conversations. 3 of the apps evaluated are below
Otter.ai
See the video below for an example of the NDCS Technology Officer using otter.ai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL-r11m9cDo&feature=youtu.be
● iOS, Android | free and paid | 0 mistakes
Otter is an app but can also be run on a desktop or laptop. The free version offers 600 minutes of live transcription a month. For more minutes, there are paid versions.
The accuracy, punctuation, and user friendliness of the app are pretty good, but it’s a pity it cannot be used offline and that it doesn’t have an option to type dialogue which would be useful for deaf children and young people that don’t use their voice.
Features that make this app stand out:
● Transcripts can be saved and edited. As you need to create an account, transcripts are saved into your account and can be shared with others. ● Words can be added to vocabulary. We've used this to add jargon and people’s names which improved the accuracy of the transcript
Verdict: an app with great accuracy, though less aimed at facilitating conversations between a deaf and a hearing person and more at understanding conversations between others.
Live Transcribe (iOS)
● iOS | £4.99| 1 mistake
The iOS Live Transcribe app offers the option to quickly switch between typing and speaking, which not only makes it easier for a deaf person to understand a hearing person, but also for the deaf person to make themselves understood. There is no need to create an account.
Apart from a full stop at the end of the sentence, the punctuation isn’t great.
Other features that set this app apart:
● Offline mode, meaning it can be used in shops or buildings with limited signal. ● A Flip Screen button, making it easier for the hearing person to see what they are saying before flipping it back for the deaf person to read. ● A minor downside is that the typing option doesn’t do the same, so unless the deaf person wants to read upside down, the microphone will still be faced away from the hearing person speaking.
Verdict: the offline mode and speak and type options show its potential as an app aimed at facilitating conversations, though its user interface is a bit clunky.
Live Transcribe (Android)
● Android | free |2 mistakes
It starts recording as soon as it hears a voice and seems pretty good at prioritising the speaker closest to the phone over people further away. Not much punctuation apart from the full stop at the end of the sentence.
The Android Live Transcribe app is not created by the same developer as the iOS Live Transcribe app, but like the iOS Live Transcribe app this offers the option to type text as well, and no account is needed to use it.
Additional features that set this app apart:
● Indicates when music is playing on the background or other sound effects such as laughter. ● Has the option to hide swear words by replacing them with asterisks (***). This is useful when using the app with younger children.
Verdict: a useful app to facilitate conversations. It’s a pity it doesn’t work offline.
Please see our website for other information or talk to your child’s Teacher of the Deaf for more advice. https://berkshirescs.btck.co.uk/HearingImpairment