Five winning stories will be selected by a panel of judges, and the winning entrants will each receive an Amazon Kindle 2 as well as Dragon NaturallySpeaking upgrades for three years.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking has changed my academic, professional, and personal life.
I was introduced to the Dragon NaturallySpeaking software while working on a master degree in piano pedagogy. I am a pianist and I do other work with my hands. I was basically self-taught during my early piano study which means I developed bad technique on the instrument. While completing my under graduate studies in jazz piano I was diagnosed with tendonitis in my right hand, from over practice with bad technique. It was a nightmare for me, because I could not use my hand to type nor to write. I managed to improve my piano technique by attending various workshops, such as the Taubman technique and taking private lessons with classically trained piano instructors. But I was still very limited, because in this age of technology, it is incredibly sad to not be able to use the computer. My hand therapist suggested that I wear a splint, when I type or write; or I needed to relearn how to type and write with correct technique (kind of hard to do). The splint did not solve the problem and I didn't have a chance to be retrained; I only managed to write with my left hand but the right hand was still hurting. I tried typing only my with my left, then my left shoulder was bothering me. Needless to say, I felt hopeless.
After the completion of my undergrad degree, I continue to perform piano and taught music in the public schools. I was still faced with the same issue because the computer was inevitable. I took a break for two years to allow my hand to heal. My hands felt better, so I went back to school for my masters. Gradually the tendonitis came back and I couldn't complete the degree because I was unable to finish writing my master thesis paper. I hired people to type for me while I dictate to them. It was very difficult to concentrate, inconvenient, and costly. While sharing my problems with my classmate, she suggested to me that I use a speaking software, and said that Dragon NaturallySpeaking was the best in the market. I was very reluctant to try it because I speak English as a secondary language, and I doubted that the software will work well for me. It wasn't until I met a professor who was handicapped and have lost both arms using this software so proficiently, that I decided to buy the software. The software was kind of expensive to me because I was a student, but I was in desperate need of a solution to finish my thesis. Dragon NaturallySpeaking software version 5 was my first try. I spent time training and learning the program patiently. I graduated a semester later because it took me time to finish my thesis paper of 125 pages, but I was glad that my best companion “dragon” did not let me down. If I wish I had discover it sooner.
Besides the fact that the software helped save my academic life, it also improves my professional and personal life. Although, the software has gotten used to my accent and could even write my name correctly, a very unique French name; my English accent has improved a lot. I wanted to pronounce words correctly instead of training the software with incorrect diction all the time. I purchased a speaking dictionary to help me with pronunciation of words, and at times, I type a word and have the software to read it back to me. I know my accent had improved because people understand me a lot clearer. The playback and text to speech features help me to edit my papers (I could hear where punctuation is needed), and I review my notes while doing other things and so forth. I also plan to use it in French, but for now the English is perfect. Furthermore, I was able to train the software to write in dialect like “Creole”. Pretty amazing! I used it at work and any time I want to use the computer.
Thanks to the Dragon NaturallySpeaking, I am back to school for a last time for a doctoral degree in music education at the University of Georgia. And this time, I added the transcribing feature using a digital recorder. I can study anywhere that I want to and transcribe my notes later. I also recorded my classes; unfortunately the transcription does not work well for that. I look into purchasing a Bluetooth microphone set to give me more flexibility. Lastly, when I tell people about the Dragon NaturallySpeaking, they quickly refer to the speaking software which comes with their computer. I usually tell them that I have been using this software for a long time and find it very reliable. If they try it they may be more satisfied than I am, since I still have an accent, but it is indeed faster than writing or typing. Certainly, my rating of the software is very excellent. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much Dragon NaturallySpeaking!
Atlanta Georgia