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Low Tech Writing Tools
Not all AT tools are "high tech" solutions requiring computers. Many "low tech" and less expensive tools are more readily available to help struggling writers.
Highlighting Pen/Tape
Highlighting pens (highlighters) are used as study and prewriting tools. Kids highlight main ideas, facts, and details, such as definitions, numbers, dates, people, and places, to help them study for tests or gather information for a report or a paper. Highlighters can help kids organize by using different colors - main ideas in blue, supporting details in green, dates in yellow.
Highlighting pens come in many shapes - round, rectangular, triangular - and lengths. The pens have a variety of transparent, fluorescent colors with broad, fine, or chisel tips. The ink is either washable or permanent. Some even are erasable with yellow ink at one end and an eraser at the other end. Highlighting pens are available in stationery and office supply stores, as well as office/school supply sections of drug and grocery stores.
Highlighting tape, an alternative to pens, can be removed without leaving a mark in a school text or library book. Tape is pulled from its dispenser, cut, and placed on paper to highlight short selections of text. Various colors and widths are available at some local stationery and office supply stores.
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Pencil Grips
Pencil grips come in variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They are slipped onto pens and pencils to provide a stable holding surface for right or left handed kids. Some pens have grips built-in. Pencil grips can help some kids with fine motor skill problems or writing difficulties finally take control. Office/school supply and stationery stores, even some college bookstores, stock various rubber or plastic pencil grips. It may take a few tries to find the most comfortable "fit."
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Slant Board
A slant board provides a smooth, angled, "drafting table" work surface that helps position the wrist for writing. It can be made of plastic, wood, or even cardboard. Some provide padded arm support.
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Specialty Paper
Specially designed paper can help kids who struggle taking class notes. A proficient student can take notes, creating an extra copy on an attached NCR paper. At the end of class, notes (original and copy) are available to the note taker and his struggling "buddy." Some writing paper comes with raised lines, tactile reminders for persons who need help staying within the lines as they write and knowing when to stop their pencil stroke.
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Outlining
Outlining is a part of the writing process. There are times when you want to make a beginning outline before you read and take notes. A final outline is made after you organize your notes.
Outlining programs can assist those who have great ideas in their heads but can't organize them. Many word processing programs can create outlines using Roman and Arabic numerals and diamonds. You can "dump" ideas on the computer screen without worrying about order, importance, or categories because the text can be easily moved and automatically reorganized at a later time. With just a few simple keystrokes, or clicks of the mouse, the program automatically inserts symbols for topics and subtopics based on the style you select. If you decide to move text around, the program corrects the symbols.
Outlines often follow brainstorming sessions. During those times, all ideas are recorded. Then related ideas are organized or grouped together. Sometimes graphic organizers are used by persons who learn more easily with visual cues.
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Proofreading Programs
Proofreading programs are sometimes called "grammar checkers." They're used with word processing programs to check for errors in grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and word usage.
Possible errors are shown on the computer screen, and you get a chance to correct them before printing a document. Unfortunately, many proofreading programs are not completely accurate and may miss some errors. They also may cause you to change parts that were correct. Remember that grammar checkers can't read your mind.
Grammar check may be a part of the word processing program or purchased separately. Local and online computer, electronic, office supply stores sell proofreading programs.
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Word Processing
Word processing software lets you see typed text on a computer screen before printing on paper. In this way, you can easily remove or add words, move sentences or paragraphs around, and correct spelling errors. It's easy to underline, boldface, change spacing between lines, and center text. You can feel confident your paper will be neat, clean, and easy to read. This frees you to focus on the thoughts you want to express. A word processing program can be a valuable writing assistant.
Word processing software with a spell checker, grammar check and multimedia features can assist with writing activities. A built-in spell checker can help an individual find and correct misspelled words within the document. Individuals need to be able to at least recognize the correctly spelled word from a word list to use a spell checker successfully. The approximations of the word must also be close enough to generate the correct word. Additional support for spell checking may come from using TTS and TTS dictionary features with a Talking Word Processor. Software with speech synthesis can read back what you've written using a computerized or "synthetic" male or female voice. These programs are very helpful for who struggles with writing and the printed word but has good auditory skills.
Writing composition software can provide a structured environment to enhance ability to produce written material. The writing and editing process can be an laborious time-consuming task. Some individuals may experience great difficulty with the physical act of writing. Word processors provide these individuals the opportunity to write without being concerned about making errors during the writing process. Errors are easily corrected and information can be reorganized and edited before printing the final product.
Other tools "add-ons" such as word prediction programs and/or abbreviation expansion can work along with a word processor for added support.
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Talking Word Processor
Talking Word Processor (WP) is a word processor software program that has built in text to speech features providing auditory feedback of letter (character), word, sentence or complete paragraphs. Any selected text can also be spoken. These programs can help students with their writing - e.g. notice omissions, dropped endings, etc. They also offer the multi-sensory experience of hearing the writing while seeing it on the screen. TTS Spell Check/Dictionary (TTS Dic.) and grammar checking features can be an important consideration that provides feedback during spell checking. See Word Processors/Writing and Spelling
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Electronic Spell Checkers and Dictionaries
Dictionaries (non-electronic and electronic) reference tools may be helpful. In addition to dictionaries, thesaurus, atlases, encyclopedias, etc. are available in multimedia format, handheld electronic reference tools including speaking dictionary & thesaurus.
Most word processing programs include spell checkers that scan a written document, show you misspelled words, and offer a list of suggestions for the correctly spelled word. Stand-alone desktop and pocket sizes spell checkers are available. On a small keyboard, you enter the word the way the way you think it's spelled. Be aware of the limitations:
When words sound alike but have different meanings (there/their/they're), the spell checker doesn't show a wrong spelling because the word is spelled right even though it's not used correctly. When a word is spelled phonetically (nawty), it may not be recognized. The spell checker suggests words that begin with the same two or three letters typed in (Nate, nat, natty). Spelling that's not phonetic isn't recognized, so no suggestions for the correct word are given. Chances of success are greater if the first 2 or 3 letters are typed correctly.
A spell checker's word database can be 40,000 words or more. As the size of the word database is increased, there's a better chance the spell checker will recognize misspellings and give alternatives. However, a spell checker/dictionary with a 40,000 base word vocabulary is probably designed for younger students. The definitions will use simpler language than products with a larger word base from a collegiate dictionary.
Match needs with the features - speech, thesaurus, help with words that sound alike but are spelled differently, and capabilities of the device. Can she easily pick the correct spelling from a list of words? Are other options, such as speech and/or definitions, necessary? Explicit instruction in how to use a spell checker allows a person to be more independent.
Check the keyboard of the electronic, handheld spell checker for asterisk and question mark keys. Depending on the design of the device, those two keys may be used to help you find the correct spelling. The asterisk often is used as a marker for an indefinite number of missing letters. For instance, typing in "neu*" yields a list of words beginning with those two letters and, hopefully, phonetic alternatives as well - "neutral," "new," "newt," "pneumonia."
 The question mark sometimes can be used in place of unknown letters. Typing in "p?t" brings a listing of all words in the spell checker's word base with that letter pattern - "pact," "pant," "past," "peat," "pelt," "plot."
A stand-alone, electronic spell checker with asterisk and question mark keys and speech capability can be very helpful to kids who struggle with spelling.
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Portable Keyboards / Stand Alone Word Processors
Portable Keyboards / Stand Alone Word Processors allow for easy and portable access to writing. Having dedicated access to a computer for all students with learning disabilities will be difficult to achieve. A relatively inexpensive low cost alternative allows the student to enter and edit text, then transfer it later to the computer for formatting and printing. Word prediction add-ons are now possible with "applets" using AlphaSmart.
 Individuals can use them to take notes in class if their keyboarding skills are good. They can use them, in place of computers, to complete writing assignments or practice keyboarding. Although usually used for word processing, data can be entered into other applications, such as spreadsheets and databases, too. The small screen usually displays 4 or 8 lines at a time, sometimes up to 16. Longer text will scroll. Editing can be done; spell checking is built-in. They store 40-100 pages of text. Although data can be sent directly to a printer, it's usually transferred to a word processor for further work.
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Keyboards and Keyboarding Skills
Keyboarding Training programs provide instruction in touch-typing to increase the user's speed and accuracy. There are many programs available for a range of ages. Word processing for students with learning disabilities is most useful when it becomes a kinesthetic (motor) process. Hunting and pecking involves spelling (visual/auditory process), and is therefore much less effective.
 Correct typing techniques make word processing easier. Keyboarding programs develop skills of proper hand placement - important for speed and accuracy. Programs designed for kids in the primary grades should be fun. Elementary school kids often like a more formal approach combined with "arcade game" practice sessions. Middle school and high school kids usually prefer a structured program to develop skills.
Consider
See Educational Resources (CND) www.edresources.com/
- All The Right Type (PC/Mac)
- Mavis Beacon Typing (PC/Mac)
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Word Prediction
Word prediction can be a feature of a word processing program or a separate product. In either case, it helps you write using a word processor by providing a list of words that fit into the sentence.
After the first letter of the word has been typed, e.g., "The scientists n_," the program offers a list of words:
1. need 2. needed 3. know 4. never
If the word you're looking for isn't on the list, you continue to type the letters until, hopefully, it appears. After you choose a word, the computer predicts the next word in the sentence. Again, it offers a list of possible words, sometimes before the first letter is typed.
Predictions can be based on the sentence content and spelling, as well as the number of times a word is used. Word prediction may be helpful to who have problems with keyboarding, spelling, or grammar.
Word Prediction software is used to assist with text entry. These software programs "predict" and complete the word you are typing and the next word is based on word frequency and context. They may also include features such as spell checking as you type, multiple word prediction, text to speech, grammatical rules; phonetic spelling and hotkeys for frequently used words. Text to speech can provide auditory feedback to assist in word choices and selection.
Word prediction can be particularly useful for slow typists, probe or pen users, dyslexics and helps enable students to express their thoughts in writing with less frustration. Individuals can work at their developmental spelling level, write with content-specific words, and build good first sentences with correct conventions and gain writing confidence.
Word prediction programs reduce the time, effort and frustration for individuals with spelling difficulties to produce written work by providing an on-screen list of possible words to use in a piece of writing. The student types a letter or two and the program provides a list of words beginning with that letter(s). If one of the choices is a word the student wishes to use, he/she selects it. If not, the student enters another letter that produces a new set of choices.
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Abbreviation Expansion software can be used to create abbreviated forms for frequently used words or phrases for slower workers and poor spellers. For example, if a student consistently misspells "individuals" he/she could type "ind" and space bar in its place and the word "individuals" will automatically appear on the screen. This feature is often included in word prediction programs.
Other Resources
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Voice Recognition
Voice Recognition allows a user to use his/her voice as an input device. Voice recognition may be used to dictate text into the computer or to give commands to the computer (such as opening application programs, pulling down menus, or saving work). Older voice recognition programs require each word to be separated by a distinct pause. This allows the machine to determine where one word begins and the next stops. This style of dictation is called discrete speech. Many people (especially those with learning disabilities) prefer these systems to the newer continuous speech.
Continuous speech voice recognition applications allow a user to dictate text fluently into the computer. These new applications can recognize speech at up to 160 words per minute. While these systems do give the user system control they are not yet hands free. While the accuracy of voice recognition has improved over the past few years some users still experience problems with accuracy either because of the way they speak or the nature of their voice.
Voice recognition may be useful to students experiencing extreme difficulty producing written compositions by hand, but who have strong verbal expressive skills. It is appropriate for students who have poor spelling skills, but have the ability to read and recognize the correct word when presented. It should only be used if the student has a severe learning disability and all other less expensive and less complex options have been tried.
Factors to Consider before Recommending Voice Recognition
- Works better with some students than others
- Best candidates are dysgraphic, not dyslexic (average readers but very poor writers), highly motivated, have clear vocal articulation and a sense of optimism
- Staff training is critical
- Student need to be trained one-on-one
- Small groups simply don't work
- Errors go unnoticed and uncorrected affecting the quality of the users voice file
- Students will get frustrated waiting for help
- Good vocal skills - clarity, consistency, fluency
- Good personal skills - maturity, self-discipline, comfortable with technology
- Good cognitive skills - memory, problem solving, dysgraphia not dyslexia, concentration, divided attention
- Other considerations - likely to use for assignments once trained, opportunity both at home and school, access to knowledgeable trained family members
Programs may be most useful to those whose oral language skills are stronger than written language. However, poor readers can be taught to use them.
There are two basic types of systems:
- Discrete speech systems require a short pause of approximately 1/10 of a second between words. These programs have been used with students with speech difficulties; unfortunately, they are very hard to find.
- Continuous speech systems let you to dictate without pausing between words. If the system can't understand the word you're saying, it gives you a list of similar sounding words to choose from on the screen. The more you use the system, the better it recognizes your spoken language. This is the most common voice recognition system available.
When choosing a speech recognition system, think about the following:
- Hardware requirements for the computer and microphone
- Quality of the microphone; the one included with the software may cause translation errors
- Time necessary to train the computer to your voice
- Difficulty reading paragraphs out loud to train the computer
Since translations usually contain errors - anywhere from 2% to 10% - corrections will be necessary. Think about how your child handles proofreading and error correction.
Because programs are designed to work with mature voices, the error rate can increase even more when young children use the software. Voice recognition software seems to work better for students in high school and older.
Consider
- Dragon Dictate (PC) http://www.dragonsys.com/
- Dragon Naturally Speaking (PC) http://www.dragonsys.com/
- IBM Via Voice (PC/Mac) http://www-4.ibm.com/software/speech/
- iListen (Mac) http://www.macspeech.com
Other Resources
- Spotlight on Voice Recognition: Explore the ins and outs of using voice recognition technology to address writing difficulties. http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/vr/toc.html
- Speaking to Write: Realizing the Potential of Speech Recognition for Secondary Students with Disabilities http://www.edc.org/spk2wrt/
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