This paper describes a computer-based spectrogram reading course in which the principal teaching tool is SpeechView, a component of the CSLU Toolkit.
Already existing components of the Toolkit bring new capabilities to the course. A student can record an utterance, then type in the words uttered. A phonetic transcription is automatically time-aligned to the spectrogram and other user-specified displays. The speech corresponding to any labeled segment—phone or word—can be listened to. The segments can also be presented visually using an animated face that can be made transparent to view an accurate tongue in relation to the palate, teeth and gums.
In addition, the Toolkit authoring tools provide great flexibility in designing interactive exercises for learning about acoustic and articulatory phonetics. For example, course notes and questions are connected to the spectrogram displays and allow the students to visualize specific areas of interest in the spectrogram in conjunction with other modes of instruction.
Using these interactive teaching tools, students progress from phonemes, through common syllable forms, to single words and finally to simple phrases. It is our experience that the use of the CSLU Toolkit has greatly enhanced the teaching of spectrogram reading.