Why parents should worry ABOUT OFFICE 365’S IMMERSIVE Reader dictation feature

At some point, dictation moves from a shortcut to a productivity aid. But when? Microsoft appears to be making that choice for you.

Beginning in February, Microsoft started offering a new feature for young students called Immersive Reader dictation within Office 365 apps for Windows and the Mac. As a parent of two elementary school students, though, I’m concerned that this feature— which brings smartphone-style voice dictation to traditional desktop apps—will be an unwelcome crutch.

It’s not just on Windows, either. Microsoft is pushing dictation onto Word for Mac, iphone, Outlook Desktop, Onenote ipad, and Onenote Mac.