Speaking: The SuperPower of the Future
Cathy Brown ??
Certified AI Consultant | Multi-Disciplinary Educator & Innovator | Pioneering AI & STEM Education | Author & Film Producer
With Speech-to-Text AI: Speaking and Listening Become Essential Skills
by Cathy Brown September 29th 2024
AI Consultant & Trainer in Filmmaking & ICT for Educators
Virtual Teacher https://www.virtualteacher.com.au/index.html
Table of Contents
1. Summary
2. Introduction
3. Genetic Predisposition for Language Acquisition
4. ?The Role of Speech-to-Text and Text-to-Speech in Education
5.? Speaking and Listening: The Essential Skills of the Future
6. Technology Enhancing Oral Communication in the Classroom
7. Speech-to-Text: A Pathway to Literacy
8. The Future of Communication: AI-Driven Oral Interaction
9. Conclusion: A Return to Our Roots
10. Bibliography
1. Summary
This white paper, Speaking: The Super Power of the Future, explores the transformative impact of speech-to-text (STT) and text-to-speech (TTS) artificial intelligence (AI) on education and communication. It proposes that speaking and listening skills are essential skills of the future, and while traditional literacy (reading and writing) remain important they are now optional. Leveraging our genetic predisposition for language acquisition, AI is reshaping how we interact with technology by using oral communication or NLP(Natural Language Processing). The paper discusses how tools like Book Creator, speech enabled Microsoft Word and Voice typing etc., can be used in primary schools, to integrate STT into the learning process. It highlights the accessibility benefits of AI, offering new pathways for students to engage with literacy and can create a more inclusive and interactive learning environment. This white paper concludes that the integration of speech-based AI tools in education represents a return to humanity's oldest communication methods—speaking—while also pointing toward the future of digital interaction. Speaking and listening are essential skills of the future while reading and writing while important, are no longer essential.
1. Introduction
The rise of speech-to-text (STT) artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming communication, making speaking and listening the superpowers of the future. Historically, literacy in the form of reading and writing was viewed as essential to progress in education and professional fields. However, modern AI-driven technologies such as STT and text-to-speech (TTS) are shifting this paradigm, making reading and writing important but no longer essential. This paper argues that speaking and listening are the essential skills for the future, especially as AI transforms how we interact with digital environments using NLP. This change aligns with our genetic predisposition for language acquisition and has implications for education, particularly in primary school contexts, where STT technology is already being integrated seamlessly [1][2].
2. Genetic Predisposition for Language Acquisition
Humans are genetically hardwired for language acquisition. This "language instinct" is evident from the early stages of child development, where spoken language emerges through interaction and exposure rather than formal instruction [1]. The human brain contains specialized regions for language processing, such as Broca's and Wernicke's areas, which form the neurological basis for speech [1]. Furthermore, the FOXP2 gene has been linked to our capacity for speech and language development, emphasizing the innate nature of verbal communication [2]. Children enter school with the ability to speak, a skill that is instinctively acquired, while literacy (reading and writing) requires years of formal instruction. With modern AI tools, we are now able to leverage this genetic predisposition, allowing speech to be the gateway to literacy [3][4].
3. The Role of Speech-to-Text and Text-to-Speech in Education
In the context of primary school education, AI-driven STT and TTS tools are gaining traction as integral components of the learning process. A prime example is the use of Book Creator, where students can use STT to instantly convert their spoken ideas into text [4]. This allows students to engage with written language using NLP through verbal expression, aligning with their innate learning tendencies. Using STT tools in Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Book Creator etc., means students are not saddled by restrictions of typing and spelling. STT levels the playing field; everyone can write their stories it is a catalyst for inclusive learning. The TTS tools such as the “Read to Me” feature in Book Creator enable students to hear their own words read back to them, reinforcing language comprehension and ensuring accuracy in their written ideas [4]. The immediacy of feedback encourages students to refine their language, supporting both fluency and literacy development in a seamless and interactive manner [5]. This immediate feedback loop is crucial in helping learners adjust and refine their understanding of written language, quick responses (like those provided by modern STT tools) promote fluency and literacy.
4. Speaking and Listening: The Essential Skills of the Future
With the rapid advancement of STT and TTS technology, the ability to articulate ideas clearly and listen attentively are emerging as an essential future skills. These skills are not only necessary for effective communication but are now vital for interacting with digital technologies using NLP. As AI systems become more advanced, the reliance on speaking, as the primary mode of interaction with machines, is increasing [6]. This shift in focus mirrors the age-old tradition of oral communication, which has been humanity’s primary means of transferring knowledge for tens of thousands of years [7]. The rise of AI speech technologies re-emphasizes this natural form of communication, making speaking and listening essential in modern education and in future professional arenas [7][8].
5. Technology Enhancing Oral Communication in the Classroom
In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, there is growing potential for the incorporation of AI-driven tools in primary schools to enhance students' oral communication skills, though widespread adoption has yet to fully materialize.
Recent educational initiatives advocate for the integration of STT tools to support students with diverse learning needs, providing a more inclusive and accessible learning environment [9]. For instance, students who struggle with traditional writing tasks due to dyslexia or other learning challenges can benefit greatly from STT, allowing them to express their ideas through speech and develop literacy in a way that is more aligned with their natural abilities [10]. Research from the University of Sydney demonstrates that the use of STT in classrooms significantly improves engagement and reduces barriers to literacy acquisition for students from various backgrounds [6][11].
6. Speech-to-Text: A Pathway to Literacy
While traditional literacy requires formal instruction in decoding written symbols, speech-to-text AI helps bridge the gap between spoken language and written communication. This technology enables learners to instantly see their spoken words transformed into text, making the process of learning to write more interactive and intuitive [6]. By connecting spoken words to their written forms, students can practice pronunciation, grammar, and sentence construction, fostering deeper language understanding [12]. The ability to think, speak, and immediately see the results in text form enriches the learning experience, offering a more dynamic approach to language education than conventional methods [12].
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7. The Future of Communication: AI-Driven Oral Interaction
As speech technology continues to advance, the need for proficiency in speaking and listening becomes increasingly critical in both educational and professional contexts. AI speech recognition systems are now capable of handling complex tasks, from transcribing speech to facilitating real-time translations, thus expanding access to information and communication in unprecedented ways [13]. The democratization of communication through STT is particularly notable for individuals with disabilities or literacy challenges, enabling them to engage fully in a digital world that traditionally relied on typed input [14]. In this way, speaking and listening are becoming the superpowers of the future, and reading and writing, while still important, are no longer the gatekeepers to knowledge and success [14].
8. Conclusion: A Return to Our Roots
The shift toward STT technology represents a return to our roots. Oral communication predates writing by tens of thousands of years, and it is deeply ingrained in human cognition [7]. Now, with AI’s ability to bridge the gap between speech and text, we are not abandoning literacy but rather enhancing it by re-engaging with our natural innate, predisposition for spoken language. Speech-to-text technology is more than just a tool; it is a revolutionary step in rethinking education and communication for the future [13].
?The past has indeed become our future.
Ciao
Cathy
Bibliography
1.?Pinker, S. (1994). The Language Instinct. Harper Collins. https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/the-language-instinct-by-steven-pinker-9780141980775
2.?Enard, W., et al. (2002). "Molecular evolution of FOXP2, a gene involved in speech and language." Nature, 418(6900), 869-872. https://pure.mpg.de/pubman/faces/ViewItemFullPage.jsp?itemId=item_1555915_3
3.?NSW (2024) Artificial Intelligence Assessment Framework https://www.digital.nsw.gov.au/policy/artificial-intelligence/nsw-artificial-intelligence-assessment-framework
4.?Book Creator (2023). "Using speech-to-text in the classroom." https://bookcreator.com
5.?Dehaene, S. (2009). Reading in the Brain: The Science and Evolution of a Human Invention. Viking. https://www.abebooks.com/9780670021109/Reading-Brain-Science-Evolution-Human-0670021105/plp
6.?Cambridge (2022) Review of research on applications of speech recognition technology to assist language learning https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/recall/article/abs/review-of-research-on-applications-of-speech-recognition-technology-to-assist-language-learning/5E15DEA15B24F210B095A799708AD00B
Sydney study: University of Sydney. (2022). "The impact of speech-to-text on learning outcomes in primary education." Link unavailable.
7.?Ong, W. J. (2002). Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word. Methuen. https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/_/37Ikbo9P4M8C?hl=en
8.?ReadSpeaker (2022) AI in Education: Examples from the Field, Including Voice Technology by Amy Foxwell https://www.readspeaker.com/blog/voice-technology-in-education/
9. KQED (2021) "The Benefits of Speech-to-Text Technology in All Classrooms" by Caroline Smith https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/57786/the-benefits-of-speech-to-text-technology-in-all-classrooms
10. KQED (2015) Tech Tools That Have Transformed Learning With Dyslexia by Holly Korbey https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/42036/tech-tools-that-transformed-learning-with-dyslexia
11. UNESCO (2023) How can artificial intelligence enhance education? https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/how-can-artificial-intelligence-enhance-education
12. ReadSpeaker (2022) 4 Benefits of Speech to Text for Educators https://www.readspeaker.com/blog/educators-can-benefit-speech-technology/
13. Exemplary AI (2023) The use of Speech-to-Text in the classroom by John Jacob https://exemplary.ai/blog/stt-classroom
14. Science Open (2024) Using Voice Technologies to Support Disabled People by Semary et al. https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.57197/JDR-2023-0063
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