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Tech Solutions for Writing: What Parents Need to Know

Tech Solutions for Writing: What Parents Need to Know. Presented by: Anne Banton, OTR/L, ATP. Assistive Technology Educational Network. 1207 Mellonville Ave Sanford FL 32771 (800) 328-3678. HRD. FIMC. Child Find. ATEN. Parent Services. TECH. RMTC. Technology. Technology.

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Tech Solutions for Writing: What Parents Need to Know

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  1. Tech Solutions for Writing:What Parents Need to Know Presented by: Anne Banton, OTR/L, ATP

  2. Assistive Technology Educational Network 1207 Mellonville Ave Sanford FL 32771 (800) 328-3678

  3. HRD FIMC Child Find ATEN Parent Services TECH RMTC Technology Technology

  4. Learner Outcomes Participants will: • understand the writing demands of the public schools system. • explore the range of technology supports available to accommodate the demands of writing. • understand the support/training that must be provided to encourage successful technology implementation. • receive a list of community/research resources.

  5. Fast Stats • “Handwriting is one of the most important skills that children acquire and use throughout the school years (Graham & Weintraub, 1996)” • “10 to 20% of school aged children have problems with handwriting skills (Hamstra-Bletz & Blote, 1993)” • “When handwriting skills are deficient, children suffer various consequences related to their academic performance (Graham & Weintraub, 1996) and social interactions (Sandler et. Al., 1992)”

  6. Pre-Technology Considerations • Seating and positioning • Optimal movement patterns • Vision • Functional vision • Color acetates • Handwriting instruction • Handwriting without Tears • Loops and Other Groups

  7. What options do I have? • Low Tech Handwriting instruction, Pencil Grips, Paper Options, Rubber Stamps, Adapted Pencils, Organizational Aides • Mid Tech Portable Word Processors • Software Talking Word Processor, Word Prediction, Graphic Organizers

  8. Concepts to Remember • Start Simple and Build Up • Technology is Just a Tool • Training is a Must • Use your Resources

  9. Low Tech Tools for Handwriting Grips • added to a pencil/pen • encourage proper grasp

  10. Low Tech Tools for Handwriting Organizational Aides • highlighters, highlighter tape, post it flags

  11. Low Tech Tools for Handwriting Alternatives to Writing • rubber stamps • Bingo stamp

  12. Low Tech Tools for Handwriting Writing Utensils • alternate pens and pencils • weighted, vibrating, small, ergonomic…

  13. Low Tech Tools for Handwriting Paper • visual or tactile cues • identify boundaries better for more legible writing

  14. Alphasmart Calcuscribe Dana Laser PC6 Neo QuickPad IR The Writer Plus Mid Tech Tools for Handwriting

  15. Advantages to Computer Use • Improved written product • Neater • Legible • More accurate • Improved efficiency • More easily correct errors (Margalit & Roth, 1989) • Less hesitant to review and change work on computer (Graham & MacArthur, 1988, Jones 1994)

  16. Disadvantages to Computer Use • More restrictive/Not always available (Kahn & Freyd, 1990) • Unfamiliarity leads to decreased speed (Koorland, Edwards, & Doak, 1996)

  17. Factors to Consider • Ease of use • Cognitive load for student and teacher • Memory requirements • Weight and size of device • Portability • Keyboard options • Variety of keyboard layouts • Sticky keys • Slow keys

  18. Features to Consider • Editing features • Spell check • Dictionary/thesaurus • Word prediction • Additional programs • Calculator • Address book • Calendar • Voice output

  19. AlphaSmart 3000 • Uses SmartApplets – limited number • Calculator • Word prediction • Inspiration Outline • Typing practice • AlphaQuiz • Variety of keyboard options • QWERTY, Dvorak, right or left hand • Auto repeat and sticky keys • Easily transfer information to computer • Limited amount of text

  20. Calcuscribe • External number pad with scientific calculator • Auto repeat and sticky keys • Can be used as external keyboard • WordWiz and MathWiz programs built-in • All accessories not included in base price • Two font sizes

  21. Dana • Uses Palm OS software • Word processor, address book, calculator, to-do list, memo pad, scheduler • Add other Palm OS software • Various screen orientations & font sizes • Voice output (Write:Outloud to Go) • Expansion slots • Keyboard options • Wireless version available

  22. Laser PC6 • Expandable cartridges - text-to-speech or Thesaurus • Word Prediction, spreadsheet, telephone directory, homework calendar, typing tutor • Sticky keys (Shift and Control) • Two font sizes

  23. Neo • Uses SmartApplets – room for several • 2-6 lines of text • Sticky keys, auto repeat • Spanish-English equivalents • Room for hundreds of pages of text • Keyboard options

  24. QuickPad IR • Phone book, and homework pad • Sticky keys (shift only) • Typing Tutor • Can be used as external keyboard

  25. The Writer Plus • Thesaurus and Auto Thesaurus • Word prediction • Writing rubric prints at end of document • Typing tutor

  26. Points to Remember • Each one has different features • Must include training: • How to use • How to print/send data • Typing • Must include time to practice typing • Assess effectiveness of technology

  27. Comparison Sheet

  28. Test Accommodations • FCAT • Be on IEP • Be used consistently throughout year • Extra features turned off (spell check…) • SAT • Special request

  29. Software Tools for Handwriting • Word prediction program • Talking word processor • Graphic organizer

  30. Word Prediction Programs • Decreases keystrokes • Energy conservation • Examples • Co:writer - Don Johnston, Inc. • WordQ - Quillsoft Ltd. • IntelliTalk 3 - IntelliTools, Inc.

  31. Talking Word Processors • Auditory Feedback to increase reading and comprehension skills • Customizable voices and pronunciation • Examples • Write:Outloud - Don Johnston, Inc. • IntelliTalk 3 - IntelliTools, Inc. • Talking Word Processor - Premier Assistive Technology, Inc.

  32. Graphic Organizers • Diagramming • Organizing • Concept maps and webs • Examples • Draft:Builder - Don Johnston, Inc. • Kidspiration/Inspiration - Inspiration Software, Inc. • Spark-Space - Spark-Space Ltd.

  33. Manufacturers AKT - The Writer Plus PO Box 2418 Paso Robles, CA 93447-2418 800-797-7121 www.keyboardinstructor.com AlphaSmart - AlphaSmart, Dana, Neo 973 University Avenue Los Gatos, CA 95032 888-274-0680 www.Alphasmart.com American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. - Getting a Grip on Handwriting 4720 Montgomery Lane Bethesda, MD 20804 301-652-2682 www.AOTA.org Calcuscribe - Calcuscribe Duo 98 Cervantes Boulevard, Suite 1 San Francisco, CA 94123 415-923-1024 www.calcuscribe.com

  34. Manufacturers Don Johnston, Inc. - Co:writer, Write:Outloud; Draft:Builder 26799 West Commerce Drive Volo, IL 60073 800-999-4660 www.donjohnston.com Inspiration Software, Inc. - Inspiration/Kidspiration 7412 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway Portland OR 97225 800-877-4292 www.inspiration.com IntelliTools, Inc. - IntelliTalk 3 1720 Corporate Circle Petaluma, CA 94954 800-899-6687 www.intellitools.com Onion Mountain Technology, Inc. - various low tech items 74 Sexton Hollow Road Canton, CT 06019 860-693-2683 www.onionmountaintech.com Perfect Solutions - Laser PC6 10763 Versailles Blvd. Wellington, FL. 33467-8091 800-726-7086 www.perfectsolutions.com

  35. Manufacturers Premier Assisitve Technology, Inc. - Accessibility Suite 1309 N. William St.  Joliet, IL   60435      815-722-5961 www.readingmadeeasy.com QuickPad Technology Corp. - Quickpad IR 620-B Clyde Avenue Mountain View, CA 94043 800-373-8181 www.quickpad.com QuillSoft Ltd. - WordQ 2416 Queen Street East. Toronto, Ontario M1N 1A2 CANADA 1-866-629-6737 www.wordq.com Spark-Space, Ltd. - Spark-Space 23-24 Margaret Street London, W1W 9RU United Kingdom 011 44 870 240 3198 www.spark-space.com

  36. References/Resources • www.aten.scps.k12.fl.us & www.ataccess.org • Cook, A.C. & Hussey, S.M. (2002). Assistive Technologies Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition. St. Louis,MO: Mosby. • Hammerschmidt, S.L. & Sudssawad, P. (2004). Teachers’ survey on Problems with Handwriting: Referral, Evaluation, and Outcomes. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(2), 185 - 192. • Male, M. (2003). Technology for Inclusion: Meeting the Special Needs of All Students, 4th Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Educational Group. • Preminger, F., Weiss, P.L., & Weintraub, N. (2004). Predicting Occupational Performance: Handwriting Versus Keyboarding. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(2), 193 - 201. • Winebrenner, S (1996). Teaching Kids with Learning difficulties in the Regular Classroom. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.

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