What Does It Do?

Otter.ai takes in audio feeds, runs them through an AI algorithm, and outputs the words as written text. It aims to make life easier for teachers by transcribing lectures, meetings, or brainstorming sessions into readable and shareable text.

Key Features and Practical Applications for Teachers

• Easy Accessibility: Otter.ai offers both a phone and computer app, providing on-the-go transcription wherever you are.
• Real-Time Transcription: See the text form on your screen live as you speak, which can prove helpful during lectures or meetings to ensure key points get captured.
• Audio Playback: You can play back the audio from any point by clicking on the corresponding text, useful for revisiting specific parts of a lecture or meeting.
• Shareable Content: The ability to share a link to the audio with the accompanying text, as well as export transcripts as text, docx, or PDF files, aids in disseminating lecture notes or minutes from a taff meeting.
• Vocabulary Customization: Adding specialized vocabulary helps in enhancing transcription accuracy, particularly useful for subject-specific jargon.
• Otter Live Notes: Integration with Zoom lets you display live transcripts during Zoom sessions, improving accessibility for students who might struggle with auditory learning.

Potential Drawbacks

The accuracy of Otter.ai varies between 75% to 90%, and it struggles in environments with a lot of background noise or echo. Also, if you mumble or have a heavy accent, Otter.ai might not capture every word correctly.

Pricing and Value Proposition

Otter.ai comes with a free plan that offers 300 monthly transcription minutes and allows 30 minutes per conversation. They also offer a Pro plan for $10 USD per user/month for those who require more features and time.