Price: Free!
Grade Recommendation: All
Subject: Writing
Specific Skill: Oral language
Levels: N/A
Players: N/A
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both
Dragon Dictation turns voice into text. After hitting the 'record' button, you speak into an external microphone (or aim at the built-in mic). You tap the screen to stop recording (for up to 60 seconds). After a few seconds of processing, your text appears on the screen. The app is quite accurate (especially when you speak loudly and clearly). However, you're also able to edit the text once it's done being processed. Once you're satisfied with the text, you can email it or copy/paste it into another app.
The processing takes place 'in the cloud'. Therefore, you must have an active internet connection to use this app.
The app can even 'learn' new vocabulary (such as proper nouns) over time. You can also say things such as "next line" and "period". The more you do that, the less editing you'll have to do.
I envision this app as an intervention to use with students who have difficulty with the physical process of writing. It's also a great way to have a written account of an oral storytelling activity.
