Questions of "quality" in the use of technology with children with learning disabilities are discussed, focusing on the need for basic pedagogical considerations; the impact of the computer on the learning process relative to factors of learner control, motivation, feedback type, graphics, and screen design; and use of computerized speech feedback…

Considers issues that need to be addressed when incorporating audio in courseware design. Topics discussed include functions of audio in courseware; the relationship between auditive and visual information; learner characteristics in relation to audio; events of instruction; and audio characteristics, including interactivity and speech technology.…

We addressed the hypothesis that word segmentation based on statistical regularities occurs without the need of attention. Participants were presented with a stream of artificial speech in which the only cue to extract the words was the presence of statistical regularities between syllables. Half of the participants were asked to passively listen…

This report is one of a regular series about the status and progress of studies on the nature of speech, instrumentation for its investigation, and practical applications. The 17 papers discuss the identification of sine-wave analogues of speech sounds; prosodic information for vowel identity; progressive changes in articulatory patterns in verbal…

Twelve learning-handicapped elementary students were exposed to synthetic speech. Subsequently, the children identified a higher percentage of stimulus words presented by a speech synthesizer than did children in a limited exposure group. Both groups correctly identified more words presented by a tape recording than presented by the speech…

Discusses types of sound-production equipment used for realization of interactive audio within computer assisted instruction (CAI) environments (speech synthesis systems, and speech/sound-recording, retrieval, and playback equipment); describes several authoring systems in which sound processing plays a predominant role; and presents an overview…

A guide to computer peripherals--additional hardware that can expand the educational uses of computers--is given. Tips are furnished on selection and possible use of computer printers; modulator/demodulators (modems); graphics tablets; plotters, speech synthesizers, and robots. (PP)

This study of 48 individuals with visual impairments (16 middle-aged with experience in synthetic speech, 16 middle-aged inexperienced, and 16 older inexperienced) found that speech synthesis, compared to natural speech, generally yielded lower results with respect to memory and understanding of texts. Experience had no effect on performance.…

A study involving 17 individuals (ages 17-55) who were blind examined the use of a prototype testing system that employs synthesized speech to deliver questions on reading and listening comprehension tests. In general, the usability of the system was evaluated positively. The most serious problem was synthesized speech quality. (Contains 2…

Although approximately half of the six million students receiving specialized services for an identified disability are learning disabled, research shows that assistive technologies are far more commonly used with students who manifest physical or sensory disabilities than they are with those with learning disabilities. Assistive technology can…

Speech synthesis and speech recognition systems offer access to communication and information for students with communication disabilities, thus eliminating major historical barriers to learning for these students and allowing them to participate in the school environment. This guide describes two ways of producing speech synthesis: (1) by…

This document "attempts to provide a representative, undogmatic, and fairly thorough coverage of selected areas of the psycholinguistic literature which are not accurately covered in existing bibliographies." Because the authors feel that psycholinguistics consists of the study of the acquisition, production, and understanding of a natural…

Reviews applications of computer and communications technologies for persons with visual, hearing, physical, speech, and language impairments, as well as the effects of technologies on transportation, work at home, education, and other aspects affecting the employment of the disabled. (SK)

An Open University program to develop software for a microcomputer/speech synthesizer is described that could provide broad access to university programming, computer-assisted instruction, and data processing. The state of the art of speech synthesis and the problems encountered in program construction and trial are outlined. (MSE)

Describes a study that was conducted to determine how temporal sound affected students' attention to critical information from a computer interface. Design issues are addressed, including modality, verbal information, constructivism, authoring software, expressiveness, and gender; and results are discussed that indicate temporal sound may help…