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 Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, ATP
AT Writing Tools Continuum
Writing accommodations
Reducing the written demands:
• Circling/stamping answers
• Multiple choice
• Highlighting answers
• Using a scribe
• Filling in the blanks (cloze procedure)
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
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
Low Technology Tools
Internet Handwriting Paper Resources
• http://www.incompetech.com/graphpaper/
• http://do2learn.com/activities/writingtools/in
dex.htm
• http://donnayoung.org/penmanship/paper.ht
m
Low Technology Tools
Adaptive Notebooks & Agendas
• Coil Notebooks
with special lined paper
• Modified agendas to reduce writing
demands
Low Technology Tools
Seating and Positioning Tools
• Chairs, cushions, backrests
• Clipboards
• Easels
– Acrylic easels
– Four inch binders
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
Low Technology Tools
Tools for the Mechanics of Writing
• Finger spacers
– Spacemen
– Finger spacers
• Handwriting guides
Low Technology Tools
Tools for Word Choice or Spelling
• Word wall
• Word lists
• Word/picture dictionaries
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)
Low Technology Tools
Supports for Written Organization & Note
Taking
• Sticky notes with lines
• Sticky flags
• Highlighting tape
• Regular or Erasable markers
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
Mid Tech AT Writing Tools
Portable, battery operated devices to
support the mechanical and composition
writing process
Mid Tech AT Writing Tools
Mid tech tools for mechanics of writing
• Label Makers
Brother PT-1280 Label Maker
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):
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–
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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
Low Technology Tools
Supports for Process of Writing
• Checklist for strategy instruction
• http://www.texasat.net/default.aspx?name=trainmod.writing
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
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
Mid Tech AT Writing Tools
Handheld Dictionaries and Thesauruses
• Franklin Dictionaries & Reading Pen
• Handheld Thesauruses
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).
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.
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
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)
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:Writer
Applelet:
http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hi
at/tech_quick_guides/
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
Mid Tech AT Writing Tools
Electronic Writing Pens
• Fly World/Livescribe desktop software
Mid Tech AT Writing Tools
Digital Voice Recorders
• Digital/cassette recorders
• PDA/iPod/iPad
– Voice memo software readily availble
• MP3 player
– Digital recording feature
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
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.
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
High Tech Writing Tools
Kidspiration
• Prewriting and organizing software
High Tech Writing Tools
Inspiration
http://www.inspiration.com/productinfo/inspiration/interactive_demo/index.cfm
High Tech Writing Tools
DraftBuilder
High Tech Writing Tools
Pix Writer
• Word processor with word banks
generating graphic supported text
High Tech Writing Tools
Intellitalk 3
• Word processor with text to speech and
graphic supported text, switch access
High Tech Writing Tools
Intellitalk 3
High Tech Writing Tools
Intellitalk 3
High Tech Writing Tools
Intellitalk 3
High Tech Writing Tools
Intellitalk 3
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
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
High Tech Writing Tools
Write Outloud
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
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
High Tech Writing Tools
Kurzweil
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
High Tech Writing Tools
Smartboard Notebook Software
• Interactive whiteboard/presentation
software
High Tech Writing Tools
Note Taking Software
• One Note
High Tech Writing Tools
Note Taking Software
• EverNote
High Tech Writing Tools
WordTalk is a free
plug in for Word
High Tech Writing Tools
Helpful Tools in Microsoft Word :
• Text to Speech (2000/2003) (WIN logo + S)
• Auto text
• Macros
• Concept mapping with draw tools
• Highlighters
High Tech Writing Tools
Text to Speech Tools
• WordTalk ( www.wordtalk.org.uk/ )
• Read Please ( www.readplease.com/ )
• Natural Reader (
www.naturalreaders.com/ )
• CLiCk Speak (for MAC) (
www.clickspeak.clcwork.net/ )
iPad
iPad/iPod apps for writing:
• Concept mapping tools
• Dragon Dictation (requires Internet
connectivity due to cloud computing)
• Voice recorders
Web 2.0 Writing Support
• Ginger- Spell checking and grammar help
• Ghotit- Spell checker for individuals with
dyslexia
Web 2.0 Writing Tool
• Webspiration – free
for individual users
• Paper Rater- Assists writer with review and
suggestions for improving their
compositions
Web 2.0 Writing Tool
• Dictionary.com
• Citation generator
• Visual Thesaurus
High Tech Writing Tools
Dictionaries/Thesauruses
http://www.pdictionary.com/english/brows
e.php?db=animals
http://visual.merriam-webster.com/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
www.visualthesaurus.com/
www.dictionary.com
High Tech Writing Tools
Internet Resources
• http://www.texasat.net/docs/Writing_Tec
h_Links_for_Writing_July_07.pdf
• http://www.gpat.org/GPAT%20Resource%
20Topic%20Pages/Writing_Chart.pdf
Resources
AT Resource Guides
http://www.wati.org/Products/pdf/resource%20guide%20-%20general.pdf
http://www.texasat.net/docs/Writing_Tech_Links_for_Writing_July_07.pdf
http://www.techmatrix.org/
http://www.ataccess.org/resources/atk12/default.html
http://www.wati.org/Products/pdf/resource%20guide%20-%20general.pdf
http://www.gpat.org/
http://olms.cte.jhu.edu/olms/output/page.php?id=9517
http://teachingeverystudent.blogspot.com/2007/06/free-technology-toolkitfor-udl-in-all.html
Citation Generators
http://www.easybib.com/
Dictionaries/ Thesaurus
http://www.pdictionary.com/english/browse.php?db=animals
http://visual.merriam-webster.com/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
http://thesaurus.reference.com/
http://www.mfwi.org/ronb/dictionary/dictionary.htm (Google pictures
associated with listing of words alphabetized)
http://wordweb.info/free/
www.visualthesaurus.com
Electronic Pens
http://www.flyworld.com/ (Fly Fusion Pen)
http://www.livescribe.com/
Graphic Organizers
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/graphic-organizers/printable/6293.html
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
http://www.edhelper.com/teachers/Miscellaneous_graphic_organizers.htm
http://interactives.mped.org/view_interactive.aspx?id=127&title=
http://www.inspiration.com/diagrams/index.cfm?id=469&color=green
http://www.inspiration.com/productinfo/inspiration/interactive_demo/index.cfm
http://www.mindomo.com/mindomodemo.php Mindomo
http://bubbl.us/edit.php Bubbl.us
Note Taking
http://zoho.com/
Portable Word Processors
http://www.writerlearning.com/fusion.html
Spell Checking Strategies
1pgrspellck CBSS.pdf
http://www.ldonline.org/article/6233
Study Strategies
http://cbss.uoregon.edu/learn/lrnwrtng.html
http://www.studygs.net/
Writing Prompts
http://www.edhelper.com/teachers/Miscellaneous_graphic_organizers.htm
http://www.meddybemps.com/9.700.html
Tutorials
http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/tech_quick_guides/
http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials.php
Writing Process/Strategies/ Six Trait
http://writingfix.com/index.htm
http://readwritethink.org/
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
http://www.write101.com/
Writing Matrixes
http://www.texasat.net/default.aspx?name=trainmod.writing
http://www.techmatrix.org/
References
Graham, Steve, and Dolores Perin. Writing Next. Carnegie Corportation of New
York. New Your: Alliance for Excellent Education, 2007. 1-66.
Peterson-Karlan, George R., and Howard P. Parette. "Supporting Struggling
Writers Using Technology: Evidence-Based Instruciton and DecisionMaking." TechMatrix. 8 Jan. 2008
<http://www.techmatrix.org/resources/tech_support_writing.pdf>.