3x Faster Than Typing
Speak 150+ words per minute vs 40 wpm typing. Finish tasks in a third of the time.
Voice Dictation for Instructional Designers
Design learning experiences faster. Speak your expertise.
VS Code
Example dictation
so the authentication flow works like this colon new paragraph first the client sends credentials to the auth service second the auth service validates against the database and returns a JWT token third the client stores the token and includes it in subsequent requests new paragraph note colon we're using r s 2 5 6 for token signing
Read this example aloud, or say something of your own.
Ottex outputs
The authentication flow works like this:
1. The client sends credentials to the auth service
2. The auth service validates against the database and returns a JWT token
3. The client stores the token and includes it in subsequent requests
Note: We're using RS256 for token signing
Profile instructions
How it works
Your voice. Right where you work.
Hold Fn
Place your cursor in any app, then hold the Fn key.
Speak naturally
Say what you want to write. Ottex follows your saved writing rules.
Release. It’s written.
Your text appears right where your cursor is.
Works with your apps
Ottex works system-wide on macOS. Dictate directly into these apps and more.
And any other app that accepts text input. See all supported apps
Why Ottex works for instructional designers
Concrete benefits with real-world impact
Better Context, Better Results
Speaking naturally gives AI agents more context than typing. Describe your intent, explain edge cases, mention file names—your voice carries nuance that typing shortcuts.
Technical Term Accuracy
Cloud AI models excel at technical jargon, code terminology, and specialized vocabulary.
Custom Dictionary
Add names, technical terms, and jargon. Ottex transcribes them accurately every time.
Inline AI Commands
Transform text as you speak: 'Ottex start fix grammar Ottex end'. Edit, improve, translate—all by voice.
Precision Typing
Say 'new paragraph', 'open quote', 'em dash', 'ellipsis'. Full formatting control by voice.
Voice Corrections
Say 'scratch that' to delete mistakes, 'actually' to rephrase. Fix errors without stopping your flow or touching the keyboard.
Accurate Transcription
Cloud AI models transcribe your voice with 99% accuracy. Filler words like 'um' and 'like' are automatically cleaned up.
Works with AI Chatbots
Dictate prompts to ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity—anywhere you type. Better prompts, better answers.
Global Shortcuts
Start recording with Option+D, use Push-to-Talk, or cancel with Esc. All shortcuts are fully configurable.
Works in Any App
System-wide on macOS—Ottex works wherever you can type. No app-specific integrations needed.
Filler Word Removal
Automatically removes filler words like 'um', 'uh', 'like', 'so' from your transcription. Get clean, professional text without verbal hesitations.
Context Awareness
Optionally let AI see your screen for smarter responses. Reply to emails with full context, answer messages knowing the conversation history.
Smart Snippets
Define custom text replacements and shortcuts. Say 'work signature' to expand your full email signature, or 'my address' for your contact info.
What you can do
Write Documentation
Dictate technical documentation, READMEs, or API docs. Speaking lets you explain context, edge cases, and examples naturally—better docs with less effort.
Works with
VS Code
Example dictation
so the authentication flow works like this colon new paragraph first the client sends credentials to the auth service second the auth service validates against the database and returns a JWT token third the client stores the token and includes it in subsequent requests new paragraph note colon we're using r s 2 5 6 for token signing
Read this example aloud, or say something of your own.
Ottex outputs
The authentication flow works like this:
1. The client sends credentials to the auth service
2. The auth service validates against the database and returns a JWT token
3. The client stores the token and includes it in subsequent requests
Note: We're using RS256 for token signing
Profile instructions
Write First Drafts
Defeat writer's block by speaking your first draft. Don't edit as you go—just talk through your ideas and refine them later.
Notion
Example dictation
so the thing is writing is hard because you never know where to start um I think the best approach is to just get your ideas down first and worry about editing later new paragraph that's what this article is about actually this post is about overcoming the blank page
Read this example aloud, or say something of your own.
Ottex outputs
Writing is hard because you never know where to start. I think the best approach is to just get your ideas down first and worry about editing later.
That's what this post is about—overcoming the blank page.
Profile instructions
Dictate with Formatting
Say 'new paragraph', 'bullet point', 'open quote' and get exactly what you mean. Full formatting control without touching the keyboard.
Notion
Example dictation
h2 weekend plans new paragraph finally have some time off so I want to make the most of it new paragraph bullet point call mom about sunday dinner bullet point finish that book I started last month bullet point maybe go for a hike if weather is nice new paragraph h3 grocery list new paragraph dash milk dash eggs dash bread dash coffee new paragraph note to self colon don't forget the phone charger
Read this example aloud, or say something of your own.
Ottex outputs
## Weekend plans
Finally have some time off, so I want to make the most of it.
• Call mom about Sunday dinner
• Finish that book I started last month
• Maybe go for a hike if weather is nice
### Grocery list
- Milk
- Eggs
- Bread
- Coffee
Note to self: don't forget the phone charger
Profile instructions
Prompt ChatGPT & Claude
Dictate prompts to ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or any AI chatbot. Speaking naturally lets you give more context—better context means better results.
ChatGPT
Example dictation
can you help me understand um why the sky is blue like I know it has something to do with light but I'm kinda confused about why it's not violet since violet has an even shorter wavelength question mark explain it simply
Read this example aloud, or say something of your own.
Ottex outputs
Can you help me understand why the sky is blue? I know it has something to do with light but I'm confused about why it's not violet since violet has an even shorter wavelength. Explain it simply.
Profile instructions
Capture Ideas Quickly
Speak ideas the moment they hit you. Use Ottex anywhere to capture thoughts, then refine them later.
Works with
Text Editor
Example dictation
oh okay so what if we flip the onboarding completely um instead of asking users to set up their workspace first we let them record something immediately like within 10 seconds of signing up they're already talking and seeing the magic actually no not 10 seconds make it the very first screen and then we save that as their first note so they have an aha moment before they even configure anything
Read this example aloud, or say something of your own.
Ottex outputs
What if we flip the onboarding completely? Instead of asking users to set up their workspace first, we let them record something immediately. Within the very first screen of signing up, they're already talking and seeing the magic. Then we save that as their first note—so they have an aha moment before they even configure anything.
Profile instructions
Write Meeting Notes
Dictate meeting notes in real-time or right after. Capture action items, decisions, and key points while they're fresh in your mind.
Works with
Notion
Example dictation
action items colon new paragraph one john to review q 4 budget by friday actually thursday two sarah to schedule client call three uh team to finalize roadmap
Read this example aloud, or say something of your own.
Ottex outputs
Action items:
1. John to review Q4 budget by Thursday
2. Sarah to schedule client call
3. Team to finalize roadmap
Profile instructions
Respond to Emails
Dictate email responses with the right tone. Use context awareness to see the full thread, then speak your reply naturally.
Gmail
Example dictation
hi Jennifer thanks for reaching out um I'd be happy to schedule a call next week here's my calendar link best regards work signature
Read this example aloud, or say something of your own.
Ottex outputs
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for reaching out. I'd be happy to schedule a call next week.
Here's my calendar: https://cal.com/sarah/30min
Best regards,
Sarah Chen
Marketing Director, Finteq
Profile instructions
Create Tickets & Tasks
Dictate Jira tickets, Linear issues, or Asana tasks. Speak the context, acceptance criteria, and details—then move on.
Jira
Example dictation
um users are getting logged out unexpectedly after about 30 minutes of inactivity new paragraph steps to reproduce colon new paragraph one login to the app two leave it idle for 30 minutes three try to do anything new paragraph expected colon session should refresh silently new paragraph actual colon user gets kicked to login screen
Read this example aloud, or say something of your own.
Ottex outputs
Users are getting logged out unexpectedly after about 30 minutes of inactivity.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Login to the app
2. Leave it idle for 30 minutes
3. Try to do anything
Expected: Session should refresh silently.
Actual: User gets kicked to login screen.
Profile instructions
Frequently asked questions
Can I dictate learning objectives with proper Bloom's taxonomy language?
Yes. Gemini 3 Flash and other cloud models understand educational terminology like Bloom's taxonomy verbs (analyze, evaluate, synthesize), ADDIE model phases, and instructional design jargon. Add course-specific terms to your custom dictionary for perfect transcription of proprietary framework names or client terminology.
How does this help with assessment item creation?
Assessment writing is repetitive and time-consuming. Dictate question stems, multiple choice options, and feedback text by speaking naturally. Use formatting commands to structure items: 'Question one colon... bullet point A... bullet point B...' You can create dozens of assessment items in the time it takes to type a few.
Does it work with Articulate Storyline and Rise?
Ottex works system-wide on macOS, so it works anywhere you can type—including Articulate Storyline, Rise, Captivate, or any eLearning authoring tool. Dictate directly into text fields, or draft in Google Docs/Notion first, then copy to your authoring tool.
Can I use AI to help generate course content?
Absolutely. Dictate detailed prompts to ChatGPT or Claude—describe your learner audience, performance objectives, content constraints, and tone requirements. Speaking lets you provide rich context that produces better AI output. Then refine the results with follow-up prompts, all dictated.
How do I handle SME interview notes?
After SME interviews, dictate your notes immediately while the conversation is fresh. Press Option+D and speak: 'Key points from interview with Dr. Martinez... First, the compliance process has three main stages... Second, common misconceptions include...' Capture everything without typing fatigue.
Will it understand instructional design terminology?
Cloud AI models are trained on educational and corporate training content. Terms like ADDIE, SAM, Kirkpatrick, formative assessment, summative assessment, learning objective, knowledge check are transcribed accurately. For organization-specific acronyms or LMS names, use the custom dictionary.
Is it good for writing storyboards?
Yes. Storyboards require describing visuals, narration, and interactions for each screen. Dictate scene by scene: 'Screen one. Visual: animated infographic showing the compliance process. Narration: In this module, you'll learn the three key steps... Interaction: Click each step to learn more.' Formatting commands help structure each frame consistently.
How much does it cost for heavy documentation work?
Free forever with local models. With BYOK (bring your own API key), even heavy documentation work typically costs $1-3/month. Or choose the $9/month premium for zero-config cloud transcription. Compare that to the time savings on a single course project.
Design courses faster
Download free. Dictate learning objectives, assessments, and storyboards.
Try for freeNo credit card required.