The Mechanics of Writing

Now that the students should be able to get their ideas or thoughts physically on paper they may need assistance with the actual organization and generation of ideas. Please see below for some ideas on how to assist students with these aspects of writing using technology.

SPELLING

As stated in the Cognitive Aspects of writing, writing requires knowing the basic building blocks to reading and writing can assist students with the reading process.

http://www.ldonline.org/article/How_Spelling_Supports_Reading

But until this bridge between reading and spelling is gapped, students still have to write so below you will find some assistive technology that may be useful in helping students, who struggle with spelling, write:

Talking spell checkers and dictionaries

• Franklin Electronic Publishers - spelling and reference tools
• Clever Keys - free dictionaries and thesaurus online
• WordWeb Pro - dictionary and thesaurus

Ghotit - a technology made by dyslexics for dyslexics



Word Prediction

• Aurora Suite
• Co:Writer SOLO
• EZ Keys for Windows, Words+, Inc
• SpeakQ (integrates multiple AT techniques)
• TextHelp, Read and Write Gold (integrates multiple AT techniques)
• WordQ, Quillsoft

Kurzweil

spell check and word prediction




Generating Ideas/Organization

Many students struggle with coming up with ideas and/or organizing their thoughts in a logical way. Below are some tools that will be useful in helping with this.

• Inspiration
• Kidspiration
• Draftbuilder

Using the writing path in Kurzweil