Using speech recognition and intelligent search tools to enhance information accessibility

Abstract

Access to spoken information presents challenges in educational, work, and public settings for many individuals. Speech Recognition technology offers a potential strategy for increasing access in various settings, including the university lecture environment. An international research team has successfully experimented with providing speech recognition generated lecture notes, available online as multimedia enhanced transcripts. Additionally, a specially designed search and indexing tool was introduced to enhance the user experience. An exploratory study was conducted to gauge student reactions, identify usage patterns, and assess ease of use.