[User Settings] Allow User to Add Their Name Pronunciation to Profile (phonetically + audio file)

This idea has been developed and deployed to Canvas LMS

I am a high school teacher, and it would be wonderful if all users had a “speaker” icon that they could use to record their name pronunciation in their own voice. This feature could be part of the User Profile dashboard. Canvas could also provide a field for users to phonetically spell their names. I thought these features would be helpful to staff, allowing them to learn how to pronounce students' names and provide an inclusive environment from the very first day of school.

48 Comments
jmwatson1
Community Participant

@james_trebisovs, we are still searching for a better way to do this. We are about to meet and demo NameCoach but nothing in place just yet. 

STUARTA
Community Participant

This would be a fantastic feature. If not a recording, then a very basic text box should be added in order for students to add their own phonetic pronunciations. As we promote equity in education, it is important that all students are referred to respectfully. While my name is an easy one to pronounce, I have many friends and coworkers who have struggled with people mispronouncing their names all their lives. It has left them frustrated when people don't even try to say their names correctly. As an online educator I want to be sure that I am helping my students feel like a respected part of my classroom community when receiving audio/video feedback or attending a synchronous session, rather than an outsider in the classroom. 

DonSendelbach
Community Member

Please add this requested feature. Very important for inclusive pedagogy!

carriedickson
Community Explorer

Also maybe instead of a predetermined pronouns a fill-in as there are over 100 pronouns.

CherylJohnson3
Community Member

Yes, this feature would be very welcome!

KathleenRalf
Community Member

Yeeeeees!

KathleenRalf
Community Member

Yeeeeees!

SheilaNorthrop
Community Member

This is long past due

asells
Community Explorer

Fantastic idea! 🙂

wboswell
Community Participant

This would be so incredibly helpful for faculty and students!