Writing Tools for Students

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Writing is a complex process involving planning, translating (mechanics and language), reviewing, evaluating, production, and monitoring. (Koppenhaver 2006). It is essentially the process of tranferring thoughts from one's head to written form. Students can struggle with any one of these processes. Within the context of good instruction, assistive technology can provide the scaffolding to effectively communicate through written language.

Consideration of assistive technology for writing, must first identify the specific area of writing difficulty. For example, does the student's writing look better than it sounds, or does it sound better than it looks? Does the student struggle more with sentence formulation or is it the grammar and punctuation? The Assistive Technology Writing Guide can help guide decision making on selection of tools for writing to match a student's need. This tool can be downloaded below.

Low Tech Tools

There are very effective low tech tools that can assist with letter formation and idea generation.

1. Pencil Grips
2. Handheld Electonic Dictionary (Children's Talking Dictionary, Franklin Speller) A handheld speller can be useful for students while generating words that they don't know to spell. These are available for specific students through the Special Education Lending Library
3. Graphic Organizer on Paper

High Tech Tools

Software tools can make a tremendous difference

AT Writing Guide: Download below

in the willingness to engage in the writing task. Many of the tools can positively impact student writing in both quantity and quality through providing the supports that students need. From idea generation, to word prediction and audio support these tools can be matched to meet student needs in many aspects of the writing process.

1. Word Prediction Software (CoWriter & Read/Write Gold Software) This commercially available software offers quality linguistc word prediction to any word processor a student is using. Check PD Express for classes on these programs and access to the software.

2. Talking Word Processor Software (Write Outloud & Read/Write Gold Software) These programs give writing and editing support to students by giving audio feedback during or after writing. Check PD Express for classes on these programs and access to the software.

3. Graphic Organizer (Inspiration) This commercially available software helps students brainstorm ideas before writing, gather information to summarize textbook chapters and gives writing frameworks for a wide variety of writing genres. Check PD Express for classes on these programs and access to the software.

4. Portable Word Processor (Alphasmart/Neo) These portable electronic notetakers allow students ready access to keyboarding while taking the challenge of letter formation, penmanship and legibility out of the writing task.

AT_WritingGdec_2.pdf Assistive Technology Writing Guide