Assistive Technology Tools for Struggling Writers

1. Assistive Technology Tools for Struggling Writers “We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make.” Marian Wright Edelman Carol LeynseHarpold, MS, OTR/L, ATP

2. AT Writing Tools Continuum

3. Writing accommodations Reducing the written demands: • Circling/stamping answers • Multiple choice • Highlighting answers • Using a scribe • Filling in the blanks (cloze procedure)

4. Low Technology Writing Tools Tools for the Mechanics of Writing • Pencils, markers, pens of different diameters, types of ink or lead • Grippers that enlarge or change standard writing tools or types of writing tools

5. Low Technology Tools Adaptive Paper Commercially purchased paper • Raised line paper • Cursive ruled notebook paper Custom created paper • Create lined paper with tables in Word • Earth paper • Grayline paper

6. Low Technology Tools Internet Handwriting Paper Resources • http://www.incompetech.com/graphpaper/ • http://do2learn.com/activities/writingtools/index.htm • http://donnayoung.org/penmanship/paper.htm

7. Low Technology Tools Adaptive Notebooks & Agendas • Coil Notebooks with special lined paper • Modified agendas to reduce writing demands

8. Low Technology Tools Seating and Positioning Tools • Chairs, cushions, backrests • Clipboards • Easels • Acrylic easels • Four inch binders

9. Low Technology Tools Low Tech Alternatives to Writing • Stamps for writing • Name • Letter or number stamps • Labels with pre-printed words • Using bingo markers or circling multiple choice selections

10. Low Technology Tools Tools for the Mechanics of Writing • Finger spacers • Spacemen • Finger spacers • Handwriting guides

11. Low Technology Tools Tools for Word Choice or Spelling • Word wall • Word lists • Word/picture dictionaries

12. Low Technology Tools Supports for Writing Organization • Paper Graphic organizers/concept mapping • Research on use of tools for planning and organizing composition by students with LD indicated visual graphic mapping enhanced writing outcomes (2007, Peterson-Karlan, Parette)

13. Low Technology Tools Supports for Written Organization & Note Taking • Sticky notes with lines • Sticky flags • Highlighting tape • Regular or Erasable markers

14. Low Technology Tools Supports for Composition • Sentence starters/writing prompts/writing ring • http://www.meddybemps.com/9.700.html • Pictures for background knowledge • Fusion has writing prompts available

15. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Portable, battery operated devices to support the mechanical and composition writing process

16. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Mid tech tools for mechanics of writing • Label Makers Brother PT-1280 Label Maker 

17. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Handheld Spell Checkers • Spell checkers • Phonetic based (flex spelling) • Non-phonetic based • With and without text to speech • Research on use of spell checkers found that they assisted in the editing process (Peterson-Karlan & Parette, 2007): • Helpful when used in conjunction with proof reading strategies. • Spell checker with TTS output were needed • Select spell checkers with phonemic spell check • Teach students to strategically use a spell checker

18. Low Technology Tools Supports for Process of Writing • Checklist for strategy instruction • http://www.texasat.net/default.aspx?name=trainmod.writing

19. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Spell Checking Strategies • Assess for developmental spelling level • Teaching spell checking strategies • Computer Based Study Strategies • CHECK strategy (Ashton) • Computer Based Study Strategies • Spell checking strategy http://cbss.uoregon.edu/learn/1pgrpdfs/1pgrspellck.pdf http://cbss.uoregon.edu/learn/lrnwrtng.html

20. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools The CHECK Strategy • Check • Check the beginning sound of the word. • What other letter(s) could make that beginning sound? • Hunt • Hunt for the correct consonants. • Have you included all the consonants in the rest of the word? • Examine • Examine the vowels. • What other vowel(s) could make the same sound(s)? • Changes • Changes in suggested word lists may give hints. • What words are being suggested? • Is that the one you're looking for? • Keep • Keep repeating steps one through four. • Need help? Try dictionaries and asking others for assistance. http://www.ldonline.org/article/6233

21. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Handheld Dictionaries and Thesauruses • Franklin Dictionaries & Reading Pen • Handheld Thesauruses

22. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Portable Word Processors for Written Composition • Alphasmart / Neo, Fusion, Dana • Research indicates students with adequate computer literacy demonstrated increased composition length with word processing when compared to handwriting (Peterson-Karlan & Parette, 2007).

23. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Portable Word Processors with Text to Speech for Written Composition • Dana, Fusion • Research indicates students with adequate computer literacy demonstrated increased composition length with word processing when compared to handwriting (Peterson-Karlan & Parette, 2007). Word processing is an effective instructional tool for low achieving writers (Graham & Perin, 2007) • Word processing with speech output allowed students to detect errors when revising their writing.

24. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Word Prediction for Mid Tech Tools • Co:Writer Smart Applelet for Neo or AlphaSmart • WordStorm™ -Word Prediction Program for Fusion

25. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Word Prediction for Mid Tech Tools • Research shows that word prediction used with text to speech capabilities when word processing can increase spelling accuracy and word legibility • Word prediction can improve written composition length but not speed when word processing (Peterson-Karlan & Parette, 2007)

26. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Portable Word Processor Utility Software • Get Utility Software • Allows uploading text documents to portable word processor for AlphaSmart and Neo • Tutorials for AlphaSmart/Neo/Co:WriterApplelet: http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/tech_quick_guides/

27. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Electronic Writing Pens • Fly Fusion Pen • Writing, note taking pen Performs math, scheduler, MP3 player, upload notes to computer, reads handwriting • Pulse Smart Pen LiveScribe • New Echo currently is available • Handwriting recognition also available

28. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Electronic Writing Pens • Fly World/Livescribe desktop software

29. Mid Tech AT Writing Tools Digital Voice Recorders • Digital/cassette recorders • PDA/iPod/iPad • Voice memo software readily availble • MP3 player • Digital recording feature

30. High Tech Writing Tools Computer Based Tools to Support Writing Mechanics • Evidence based practices: • Text to speech, • Phonetic spell checking with text to speech • Graphic organizers • Word processing

31. High Tech Writing Tools Computer Based Tools to Support Writing • Additional Evidence based practices: • Speech recognition following adequate instruction showed: • fewer mechanical errors (including spelling errors) • increased length of compositions • increased personal vocabulary use • increased complexity of vocabulary as spelling is less likely to interfere • positive results with students with reading problems.

32. High Tech Writing Tools Computer Based Tools to Support Writing • Additional evidence based practices: • Supports for planning and organizing components of writing improved student skills in revising and organization: • Templates with content components • Content prompts • Procedural prompts

33. High Tech Writing Tools Kidspiration • Prewriting and organizing software

34. High Tech Writing Tools Inspiration http://www.inspiration.com/productinfo/inspiration/interactive_demo/index.cfm

35. High Tech Writing Tools DraftBuilder

36. High Tech Writing Tools Pix Writer • Word processor with word banks generating graphic supported text

37. High Tech Writing Tools Intellitalk 3 • Word processor with text to speech and graphic supported text, switch access

38. High Tech Writing Tools Intellitalk 3

39. High Tech Writing Tools Intellitalk 3

40. High Tech Writing Tools Intellitalk 3

41. High Tech Writing Tools Intellitalk 3

42. High Tech Writing Tools Word Prediction • Co-Writer has text to speech, word prediction, abbreviation expansion, word bank • Word Q has TTS, word prediction, abbreviation expansion

43. High Tech Writing Tools Talking word processors • Write Outloud- word processing program with following features: • Text to speech • Talking spell checking • Allows for content and procedure prompts • Talking dictionary • Bibliographer • Tool to assist with determining homophones • Visual and auditory cues for misspelling • Teachers can lock text prompts

44. High Tech Writing Tools Write Outloud

45. High Tech Writing Tools Read & Write Gold – scan and read software • Text to speech • Word prediction • Talking spell checker, thesaurus and dictionary • Highlight main ideas and create summary • Concept mapping and fact gathering tool

46. High Tech Writing Tools Kurzweil - Scan and Read software • Text to speech • Word prediction • Talking spell checker, thesaurus and dictionary • Create voice notes within text • Highlight main ideas and create notes • Concept mapping and column note taking features

47. High Tech Writing Tools Kurzweil

48. High Tech Writing Tools Dragon NaturallySpeaking • Speech recognition software • Requires time and training for program to learn the students voice • Need to use a consistent voice pattern • Users much be competence in word processing

49. High Tech Writing Tools Smartboard Notebook Software • Interactive whiteboard/presentation software

50. High Tech Writing Tools Note Taking Software • One Note