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Cougar Cry
Speech Recognition Technology Comes To WCC
The Cougar Cry staff visited with Sam
Sink, our Spanish instructor, to find out
what “speech recognition technology” is
and how it will help the students who want
to leam Spanish. Here is our conversation.
PC platforms, but the voice recognition
component only works under Windows.
Of course, there are minimum
requirements as far as hardware
configuration.”
CC; “What is speech recognition CC: “Is this software only available to j
technology?” students in our Spanish class?”
Sam; “This computer technology allows a
comparison of the voiceprint of a native
speaker with the voiceprint of the student’s
recording and shows the student how well
s/he is reproducing the sounds and
intonation of the model. This is done by a
needle which moves between ‘native’ and
‘tourist’ according to the match of
voiceprints.”
CC: “In other words, the student gets a
response from the computer that evaluates
pronunciation and intonation in Spanish.”
Sam: “That’s right!”
CC: “How does the student record his/her
voice?”
Sam: “First, the student selects a word or
phrase or even a whole sentence that s/he
wants to practice. Then the computer plays
back a recording of a native speaker
pronouncing that item. Next, the student
repeats the words speaking into a
microphone hooked into the computer.
The final step is a playback of both voices
and then a visual rating somewhere from
‘native’ to ‘tourist.’ This process can be
repeated as many times as desired as the
student practices and tries to move the
needle more toward ‘native.’
CC: “Can this software run on any
computer?”
Sam: “I’m glad you asked that because it
is available to everyone. The course SPA
181 is an optional Spanish lab which any
student may take as an elective. This
includes those in the community who
want to start to leam Spanish as well as
those who want to brush up on skills they |
learned in high school or elsewhere.”
CC: “What time of day is it offered?”
Sam: “That’s another nice thing about
using computer technology. Our
computer labs are scheduled to be open
several hours each day including some
hours in the evening so that students may
schedule lab times at their convenience.”
CC: “And if they need help?”
Sam: “There will be a lab technician in |
the labs at all times to help with technical
problems. For questions about Spanish,
students can contact me by phone, by |
mail, in person or by email. My office
hours and numbers are in the student
packet.”
CC: “This sounds like a terrific I
advantage for WCC students.”
Sam: “It is! And I hope they take |
advantage of it.”
CC: “Thanks, Sam.”
Sam: “It will run on both Macintosh and Sam: “Thank you.”
GO COUGARS!!!!!
Larry Caudill Is New
Dean Of Student
Services
By Sandy Sheets
Larry Caudill began serving as the
college’s Dean of Student Services on
July 1, 1997, replacing Dr. Bob
Thompson, who retired after 27 years of
service to the college.
Larry has served as Director of
Counseling Services at WCC since 1985.
He came to WCC as Financial Aid
Counselor in October, 1982, from
Mayland Technical College where he
was Director of Counseling and Smdent
Activities. Prior to that, he served as a
counselor at Western Carolina
University. Since coming to WCC, he
has been active in Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
reaffirmation. Reengineering, Quality
Council and Vision 2000 as well as
assisting with numerous program audits.
Recognized throughout the state for his
expertise, Larry is a member of the North
Carolina Counseling Association and
serves on the executive board of the
North Carolina Career Development
Association and treasurer. He is a
member of the North Carolina Stu-
Continued on Page 13
Mr. Larry Caudill