Live Captioning Without A Budget

Have questions? Contact the ATI:

Assistive Technology Initiative
MS: 6A11
Voice: 703-993-4329
Fax: 703-993-4743
ati@gmu.edu

The following tools offer options for streaming live captions using automatic speech recognition (ASR). ASR tools use artificial intelligence to convert speech into text. In recent years, educational technologies have started to integrate ASR into their platforms as a way to develop content that is more accessible and inclusive.

DISCLAIMER: Live captioning with ASR is not 100% accurate. That is not even achievable with human intervention. Depending upon the speaker, microphone, and environment, positive results can be achieved. In general, expect ASR to have an accuracy range from 70%-80%. If a disability accommodation is required, again, please submit a request using the Disability Services Live Caption Request Form opens a new window. ASR is not recommended for disability accommodations. In addition to the built-in support provided in Zoom and Microsoft Teams Meetings, view the solutions highlighted below as a first step toward hosting a live virtual event (without a budget) that is more inclusive and accessible.

Turning on Live Captions in your Google Slides Presentation

Google Slides includes live captioning while presenting.  Live captions will appear under the slides.


SAMPLE USE CASE (i.e., Using Google Slides in a synchronous session): If you are presenting in a synchronous session using Google Slides, simply share your screen and turn on the live captioning feature. Anyone viewing your presentation will be able to see the live captions.

 

Turning on Live Captions in your PowerPoint for Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 provides live captioning for PowerPoint presentations.  Captions can be overlaid, above, or below the presentation.

SAMPLE USE CASE (i.e., Using PowerPoint for Office 365 in a synchronous session): If you are presenting in a synchronous session using PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, simply share your screen and turn on the live captioning feature. Anyone viewing your presentation will be able to see the live captions.

 

Using Web Captioner as a Live Captioning Solution

Web Captioner provides live captioning through the Google Chrome browser.  When utilizing Web Captioner, please note that captions will exist in a separate window from your session platform (e.g., Zoom, etc.).

SAMPLE USE CASE (i.e., Using Web Captioner for live captions in a synchronous session): Web Captioner will not stream captions through most third-party platforms. To make the live captions available to session participants, see Viewing Live Captions from Web Captioner on a Website or Mobile Device (Test Feature/Experimental).

 

Viewing Live Captions from Web Captioner Using a Mobile Device (Test Feature/Experimental)

Web Captioner offers an experimental feature, which allows the host to share the live captions stream with an end user using a URL. (PLEASE NOTE: This feature is not publicly available, but can be accessed as long as you sign in to use Web Captioner.)

SAMPLE USE CASE (i.e., Using Web Captioner for live captions in a synchronous session): To make the live captions available to session participants, follow the instructions below to set up a separate Web Captioner stream via URL. Simply post this session link for all sessions participants to see at the beginning of your session presentation. Note, session participants would have to open two separate windows in order to view both the presentation and the live captions.

 

 

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