Learning environments, like classrooms, often buzz with shared knowledge and fresh ideas. However, they can sometimes become fast-paced, too fast for students to grasp golden opportunities. Missed opportunities come in all shapes and sizes, however. One student might struggle to keep up with a fast-talking teacher, while another zones out when reading. Integrating audio and audio transcription from a reliable academic transcription company in classroom settings can cover all the bases.
In this article, you’ll learn how:
- Lectures with captions can increase student comprehension by 8%.
- Offering transcripts isn’t just nice; complying with the ADA is a must.
- With its 86% accuracy, automatic transcription will only mess up the student’s learning process.
What is Audio Transcription in The Context of Education?
Lectures and educational discussions can be converted into text to give students a new way to absorb knowledge. In terms of educational context, that’s what audio transcription is.
A written record of educational content can be the best solution for learners with hearing issues or just starting their English language learning. Plus, they’re preferred by those who’d rather read than listen. With transcripts, students can zero in on the course material or promptly search for what they need.
A 2023 Center for Universal Education study found that “lecture captures with captions can increase student comprehension by 8%.”
Schools and content creators should consider hopping on the transcription train. It’s a tool that helps students squeeze every bit of value from their educational experience.
Academic Lectures Where Transcripts Can Be Crucial
In an ideal world, every crucial discussion about education should be transcribed to capture important information. However, resources can only stretch so far, so educators must prioritize. Here, then, are the more crucial events where transcripts can immensely help.
Types | Importance |
Technical Lectures | Complex terminology and concepts are easier to grasp when students can review the material at their own pace. |
Guest Lectures | Unique insights from experts can be captured and referenced for future use. |
Online Courses | Transcripts help overcome language barriers, hearing impairments, or poor audio quality and allow for topic searching. |
Law School Lectures | Dense legal terminology and intricate arguments require thorough review to ensure solid understanding. |
Medical School Lectures | The vast amount of complex information must be revisited and studied effectively, as small details are crucial. |
Political speeches | Nuanced policy positions and rhetorical techniques become clearer when voters can scrutinize the exact wording politicians use. |
Interdisciplinary Lectures | Jargon and field-specific terms are demystified in writing, bridging gaps between disciplines. |
Cultural Lectures | Verbatim records of lectures on cultural traditions or philosophical ideas become invaluable primary sources for researchers. |
Panel Discussions | The nuances of arguments, the interplay of ideas, and the spectrum of viewpoints are meticulously documented, facilitating a deeper understanding of the issues. |
Why Should Teachers Use Transcription in Classrooms?
Transcripts have so much to offer students and educators alike. So, let’s only discuss the most practical reasons teachers must integrate audio transcription into their classroom settings.
Enhanced Inclusivity and Accessibility
Bringing transcription into the classroom means opening inclusive opportunities for all learners. It clarifies lessons for students with hearing impairments or who struggle with sound processing. It’s also proven helpful for non-native speakers, who can review the material at their own pace to really understand what’s being taught.
Plus, offering transcripts isn’t just a nice-to-have for inclusivity. It’s a requirement to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Besides, schools adapting to this solution show they are all about giving every student a fair shot at success.
Supplemental Study Materials
With audio transcription in their corner, students can hit the ground running. It allows students to absorb knowledge without the pressure of scribbling every word. Later, they’ll have resources to dig into—perfect for assignments or refreshing their memory.
Also, transcripts catch every detail, even if a student’s mind wanders for a split second. So, these written texts can be very handy for those who struggle with regular note-taking—whether it’s a learning curve or a language barrier. Engaged and better-prepared students can tackle whatever their education throws at them.
Allows For Easier Content Review
Transcripts can be compared to cheat sheets when preparing for exams or perfecting assignments, as students can zoom in on important matters in a matter of seconds. These records fill in the gaps left by scribbled notes to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Poring over these documents helps solidify the information in students’ brains or flags any unclear areas that need a closer look. Transcripts are especially helpful for learners juggling complicated ideas or those who do a lot more activities outside school hours. They can flip back to examples and or key points in a snap.
Aids Language Acquisition
It’s so much easier to level up language skills with transcripts. Seeing and hearing the language simultaneously helps new vocabulary stick like glue. Learners can pause and replay as much as they need to tune their language learning into a self-paced adventure.
For those still getting their feet wet in a new language, transcripts can also be very handy when the audio gets choppy. Non-native speakers can clear up head-scratchers while polishing their grammar knowledge.
Supports Absent Students
Life happens. Students get sick, family emergencies pop up, or other curveballs come their way. However, missing class doesn’t have to mean missing out on crucial lectures. Students study the transcripts to catch up on everything they missed.
Plus, having both audio and text is like hitting two birds with one stone. It caters to different learning styles, so students can absorb the material in a way that clicks for them. Transcripts can help level the playing field so that nobody falls behind simply because they couldn’t be there in person.
Potential For Increased Participation
Schools must provide transcripts and captions for educational materials, as this significantly helps boost student engagement through active learning. According to a study by the Education Resource Information Center (ERIC), “active learning and student engagement is imperative for increased student learning and ultimately retention.”
In addition, transcripts offer visual learners a way to follow along with spoken material and effectively reinforce their comprehension. Students can actively participate in discussions by quickly referencing key points from earlier in the class. It’s a practical solution that can turn passive and boring lectures into engaging learning experiences.
Is It Better To Integrate Automated Audio Transcription In Classroom Settings?
The short answer is “No”.
Let me explain.
Although automated transcription has become quite common due to the popularity of AI, it’s not the perfect fit for every academic setting. Automated transcription can be an option for tasks where speed is more important than capturing every single detail—though I can’t think of many transcription tasks that require speed at the expense of accuracy.
Besides, automated transcription, with its 86% accuracy (at best), will only mess up the student’s learning process, especially in the online learning environment.
Automated systems are hugely impacted by heavy accents, technical jargon, background noise, multiple speakers, and other factors. In these scenarios, human transcriptionists are your best bet. Their ability to understand context, grasp unclear audio or video, and ensure terminology makes them the preferred choice for complicated academic recordings.
That’s why manual academic transcription services are the most efficient way to support learning.
Why Choose Ditto Transcripts As Your Audio Transcription Service?
Take advantage of all the benefits of transcription while enjoying Ditto’s perks.
- Experience: There’s no substitute for experience; since 2010, we’ve perfected our processes and tools to give our customers the highest level of service every single time.
- Accuracy: Accuracy is non-negotiable for lectures and research discussions. That’s why we focus on delivering transcripts with 99% accuracy.
- Human Transcribers: At Ditto, we don’t use automated transcription tools. All projects are done by humans, for humans, to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
- Speed: We know deadlines are essential, so we offer flexible turnaround times. This way, you can get the transcripts you need whenever you need them.
- Foreign Language: We offer transcription services in multiple languages. We can make your academic content accessible to foreign students.
- Customer Service: We also believe in providing quality customer service. Our team is here to answer your questions or address any concerns in real time.
- ADA-Compliant: Our transcripts can help you comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing access to educational materials for students with disabilities.
- Security Compliance: We understand the importance of securing your data. So, we implement security to keep it confidential. When we say security, we mean CJIS, HIPAA, and FINRA compliance.
Ditto Can Help Integrate Audio Transcription In Your Classroom Settings
Audio transcription services can support learning by helping students focus on lectures, review concepts easily, and study efficiently. So, save time with accurate notes. Get a transcript with 99% accuracy at affordable rates and without any of the headaches.
Ditto Transcripts is a HIPAA, FINRA, and CJIS-compliant Denver, Colorado-based transcription services company that provides fast, accurate, and affordable transcripts for individuals and companies of all sizes. Call (720) 287-3710 today for a free quote, and ask about our free five-day trial.