The mechanics and physical
aspects of producing text with a pen or keyboard is only the
first part in the complex, multifaceted process of
writing. The 'content' of writing, along with grammar,
spelling, punctuation and meaning is the final outcome of
the writing process. Focusing on the input system and
improving speed, accuracy and efficiency of text input must
be done within the context of an overall approach to the
overall writing process, with the outcome of high quality,
meaningful content produced in the quickest and easiest way
possible for each individual user.
This
resource page provides information about computer programs which
can assist children or adults with developing writing
skills. Bear in mind that this is only a sampling of
computer programs. There are many other important
components of developing good writing skills such as
traditional, non computer methods, teacher guidance, workbooks
and practice, perseverance and patience.
Symbol
based or symbol assisted writing / typing
for students struggling with literacy
Clicker is a writing and multimedia tool. Designed for children of all
abilities. It has a wide range of accessibility options for users who cannot use a mouse or keyboard.
Enables
children to write with whole words and pictures
Create
stories and descriptions using engaging visual tools
Explore new
ideas with thought webs and visual mapping
Kidspiration has a picture
view to represent ideas using symbols. The Writing View,
which integrates with Picture View, helps students connect their
visual thoughts to words.
Audio gives students the
chance to hear their work read aloud or record their own words.
All menus, buttons and other text are audio supported as well,
helping children read and navigate.
Writing
support programs for older students or adults
Wordbar is a kind of toolbar which sits along the bottom of your screen and attaches itself to whatever word processor you are using. It consists of a variable number of grids. Every grid contains a number of cells, each of which holds a word or phrase which can be sent to the word processor by clicking on it.
Students can listen to a word before writing it. In addition to the software speech you can record your own speech.
Rapid point
and click access to thousands of words
Includes the
latest speech technology
Great looking
user interface that is not ‘childish’
Clicker is a writing and multimedia tool. Designed for
students of all
abilities. Has a wide range of accessibility options for users who cannot use a mouse or keyboard.
Enables
students to write with whole words and pictures
Inspiration
provides an integrated diagramming and outlining environment for
brainstorming, organization
and creation of outlines.
In the Diagram View, users create and use concept maps, webs, and other graphic organizers. With the integrated Outline View,
users instantly transform their thoughts into the foundation of written projects.
One-click transfer moves work to
a word processor to complete the writing process. For
Grade 6 through adult.
Draft:Builder
leads students through the three key steps in creating a first
draft: organizing ideas, taking notes and writing the draft. It
models the logical, progressive steps of draft-writing and
displays a visual representation of the process. The display
gives students a framework to generate, manipulate and connect
ideas and information.
Write:OutLoud
is a word processor that gives immediate speech feedback as
students type words, sentences and paragraphs. As students draft
their writing, they see and hear if their writing makes sense
and if it is what they wanted to say.
With
Hollywood High, students write and direct their own animated
multimedia productions about their lives, their friends, and
their favorite places. Students develop creative thinking,
writing and communication skills by selecting characters from a
cast of 12 diverse individuals, assigning hilarious voices to
each player, and choosing stage settings from 32 teenage
hangouts.
Designed
to support the needs of a wide range of writers, this
book-publishing tool provides students with a creative
environment to write, design, and illustrate stories and
reports, and print their work in book formats. Student-friendly
tools help students, as they write, draw and print.
Write! Simplified text features help students stay
focused on their story! An array of built-in writing tools
includes a spellchecker, a thesaurus, and editing and formatting
tools. Text-to-speech allows students hear their stories read
aloud.
Draw! Each page of the book can be filled with free hand,
computer-generated, or imported illustrations.
With
Report Writer, you have easy design tools to create and share a
variety of reports, papers, journals, and newsletters. An
open-ended interface allows you to access or import text,
images, Web sites, charts, graphs, or equations.
You can create templates and assign reports for students in any
subject area. From simple journal entries to multi-page reports
incorporating media elements, you and your students have an
array of options to publish original material in print or
online.
Kid
Works™ Deluxe is a multimedia creativity tool that
combines a word processor and paint program into one package.
Students create multimedia books, stories, and illustrations
that help them improve their reading and writing skills.
Learn
to write and communicate creatively
Facilitate
early reading and writing skills
Improve
editing and composition skills
Over
100 story-starter ideas
Over
130 interactive backgrounds and 100 sound effects
From
the Georgia DOL/VR/Tools for Life Program: This article will briefly look at several alternatives for
determining AT needs for the physical aspect of writing and
the writing process by using two case studies.
