Back to First Steps

Lesson 2

Talk instead of type.

We learn that speaking to the computer counts. You do not have to type everything.

What we are learning

Use voice, dictation, or the microphone so typing is not the gatekeeper.

We learn that speaking to the computer counts. You do not have to type everything.

We keep the task small on purpose. If one part works, tick it. If one part gets stuck, write that down. Both are progress because both tell us what to do next.

Simple version

Do the next small thing. Tick what happened. Stop before the screen wins.

Support

Read it your way.

Steps in this lesson

Follow these in order.

  1. 1

    Find the voice option

    Look for a microphone button in ChatGPT, or use dictation on the computer.

  2. 2

    Say one short sentence

    Try: Give me three ideas for lunch. Short is fine.

  3. 3

    Read what it heard

    If the words are wrong, that is useful information. Correct one small thing.

  4. 4

    Try the backup route

    On Windows, Windows key + H can open dictation. On Mac, use the microphone or dictation setting if it is available.

Done when

Tick the smallest true box.

Open wall planner

These ticks are saved on this browser, so they should still be here when you come back.

Course overview

Where this lesson fits.

Back to overview
  1. 0

    We start where we are

    Ask ChatGPT one harmless question, then come back and tick the box.

    Open lesson

  2. 1

    Ask one safe question

    Use ChatGPT like a friendly search box, then ask one follow-up.

    Open lesson

  3. 2

    Talk instead of type

    Use voice, dictation, or the microphone so typing is not the gatekeeper.

    You are here

  4. 3

    Make a shopping helper

    Turn one ordinary shopping list into something organised and useful.

    Open lesson

  5. 4

    Keep things in one place

    Give the work a home so you can come back without starting again.

    Open lesson

  6. 5

    Add rules and budget

    Tell the AI what must happen, what must not happen, and what matters most.

    Open lesson

  7. 6

    Decide what good looks like

    Define words like healthy, tidy, useful, cheap, or safe in your own words.

    Open lesson

  8. 7

    Try it somewhere else

    Use the same method for a room, garden, recipe, safe hobby task, or work shadow example.

    Open lesson

For helpers

Stay beside them, not ahead of them.

Helper note

If voice fails, do not make the learner feel they failed. The tool failed that route today.

The learner should do the clicking, speaking, typing, and ticking where they can. The confidence has to belong to their hands.

Open the blockers crib sheet