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Academic Enrichment Services
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Academic Enrichment Services
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Live Remote Captioning (LRC)The University of Melbourne began offering Live Remote Captioning (LRC) to Deaf students in 2006. The Disability Liaison Unit has received multiple requests from other institutions about how to implement LRC within their context and the following information outlines the operation and benefits of LRC.
What is LRC?Live Remote Captioning has been available in other contexts, such as business meetings for several years, but has only recently been applied in Australian educational settings. LRC works by capturing audio information from a teaching environment and distributing this to a captioning studio. The audio is converted to text by a stenocaptioner. The text is then streamed using the internet to a computer. This process happens in real time with minimal delay. Shortly after the lecturer speaks, the words appear on screen with around 98% accuracy. Student feedback on using LRC is that the quality, availability and reliability of information generated from LRC significantly enhances their access to academic information. Why use LRC?LRC has been developed as a complementary service for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Deaf students' access to academic information is significantly limited, and have traditionally been supported through the provision of interpreters and/or notetakers. The availability of Auslan interpreters for educational work is limited, often resulting in Deaf students having no interpreters available to provide access to academic information. LRC can be an effective means of providing access to information where interpreter availability is problematic, particularly in regional areas. In some subject areas, the vocabulary utilised can be very difficult to translate into Auslan in real time. LRC involves the representation of spoken English into written English, which can reduce the difficulties associated with translating academic vocabulary across languages. Many profoundly deaf students do not use Auslan, and have traditionally relied upon a combination of lip-reading and notetakers to gain access to academic information. LRC provides a mechanism for significantly enhancing access to academic information for profoundly deaf students who do not use Auslan. The use of LRC can also enhance access to information for international, study abroad and exchange students who are hard of hearing. LRC can also be used during public lectures or international conferences to provide captions for attendee's who are hard of hearing or who may have English as a second language. How LRC WorksThe process behind LRC is very simple.
Alternative models for supporting deaf students involve arranging the presence of multiple staff with specific skills in a specific space and time. In LRC, stenocaptioners, who may be located in capital cities across Australia, require access only to the audio information conveyed in a teaching space. Generic information and telecommunications systems enable this process to happen almost anywhere in Australia. Student Feedback?The University of Melbourne, in conjunction with the Australian Caption Centre, developed the use of LRC in educational contexts as a direct response to student requests for access to lecture transcripts. Student feedback on LRC includes: "The clarity of the transcripts has been mindblowing, and my ability to understand complex concepts being discussed in lectures has increased tenfold," LRC may not suitable for all deaf students in all contexts. The English literacy of the student, preference for Auslan, availability of alternative models, the subject matter, method of instruction and access to information and communication technologies are factors that should be considered for the appropriateness of LRC. Audio Capture OptionsThe method of audio capture can vary according to the availability of educational technology and its' configuration in specific teaching spaces. Different systems are also being evaluated for their suitability for LRC including voice over IP, mobile telephones and blue tooth microphones. For more information you can contact people listed in the contacts section. Portable SystemsThe University of Melbourne and University of Ballarat have been using a portable equipment to capture audio from a teaching space.
The cost of this equipment is approximately $2,300. This configuration allows for quick installation into a variety of learning spaces where audio information is generated by a single speaker/lecturer. This configuration does not capture information generated through teaching spaces audio visual equipment such as computer, DVD or sound recording. At the commencement of a lecture, the equipment is connected to a teaching spaces telephone port and the lapel microphone/body pack is issued to the lecturer. The stenocaptioner phones the teaching space once the equipment has been connected, and will then hear any sound picked up by the lecturers lapel microphone. Students then access the captions via an internet connection. Integrated SystemsAt Latrobe University the Line Isolation Unit has been incorporated into the existing AV systems rack to a line out of all microphone inputs. In addition to this, a telephone line is installed to the systems area. Because all line and radio microphones are connected into the central rack systems, any microphone that is used is heard and captioned. At the commencement of a lecture the stenocaptioner phones the teaching space, and will then hear any sound generated by the teaching spaces audio visual systems. Students then access the captions via an internet connection. Caption Display OptionsThe method of caption display can vary according to the availability of educational technology and its' configuration in specific teaching spaces. Students can and have accessed captions through a variety of computing interfaces. The model requires access to a broadband internet connection, but captions can be displayed through.
For more information you can contact people listed in the contacts section. Copyright IssuesAdvice from the University of Melbourne Copyright Officer in relation to LRC includes:
Optimising transcript qualityThe quality of transcripts is directly related to the quality of the audio provided and the specificity of a stenocaptioners computer based dictionary to a specific captioning event. Caption quality can be enhanced by providing word lists and preparatory material in advance and in a format that can be readily disseminated to the stenocaptioner allocated to a specific event (who may be based anywhere from Perth to Brisbane). Health and Safety IssuesThe phones within teaching spaces serve as a mechanism for seeking assistance in the case of emergencies. If the phone line is being utilised for LRC, an alternative mechanism for emergency management will be required. Aspects of LRC may generate additional cabling in teaching spaces that may be a tripping hazard for users of that space. It is recommended that temporary safety matting be used to cover additional cables that facilitate LRC. Where a portable LRC audio capture mechanism is in place, individuals involved in connecting the system to telephone ports will require specific training to ensure that the equipment is installed safely. ContactsImplementing the LRC Model Captioning Services and Rates When is LRC appropriate for Deaf Students Integration of audiocapture in the AV systems of learning environments Equipment purchase and advice |
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Date Created: 1 August 2006 |
The University of Melbourne ABN: 84 002 705 224 |
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