Readily Available Technology to Support WritingReadily Available Technology to Support Writing

Tools for Struggling WritersTools for Struggling Writers

Literacy “Stages”Literacy “Stages”

Emergent Literacy (PreK-2nd grade)

We learn to readWe learn to write

Literacy (Grade 3-12)

We read to learnWe write to learnWe write to communicate

Compositional writing

Emergent Literacy (PreK-2nd grade)

We learn to readWe learn to write

Literacy (Grade 3-12)

We read to learnWe write to learnWe write to communicate

Compositional writing

Major Concepts in WritingMajor Concepts in Writing

Text Generation Transforming thoughts into “text”

(correct” structured language) as words, phrases, sentences)

Text Transcription Producing visible text

By hand or by keyboard

Composing Producing “connected” writing for a

purpose & audience

Text Generation Transforming thoughts into “text”

(correct” structured language) as words, phrases, sentences)

Text Transcription Producing visible text

By hand or by keyboard

Composing Producing “connected” writing for a

purpose & audience

Processes Involved in Writing

Processes Involved in Writing

Planning & Organization (Prewriting)

Transcription (Drafting)Text generation & transcription

EditingImproving mechanics/conventions

(Proofreading)Revising

Improving content & organization

Planning & Organization (Prewriting)

Transcription (Drafting)Text generation & transcription

EditingImproving mechanics/conventions

(Proofreading)Revising

Improving content & organization

Drafting (Transcription)Drafting (Transcription)“Producing the Initial Composition”“Producing the Initial Composition”

When Drafting, Struggling Writers Tend to

When Drafting, Struggling Writers Tend to

Spend too much time on producing legible handwriting and proper spellingLose track of the ideas, logical

sequences and detailsProduce papers that are unreadable

and of poor qualityDo not write what they can say

Spend too much time on producing legible handwriting and proper spellingLose track of the ideas, logical

sequences and detailsProduce papers that are unreadable

and of poor qualityDo not write what they can say

Digital Tools for TranscriptionDigital Tools for Transcription

Portable keyboarding devices (PKD)Neo ($169)Neo w/TTS ($269)Fusion w/ TTS ($299)

Portable keyboarding devices (PKD)Neo ($169)Neo w/TTS ($269)Fusion w/ TTS ($299)

Digital Tools for TranscriptionDigital Tools for Transcription

Word ProcessingLaptops ($350-500)Netbooks ($199-350)Tablet PCs (e.g. iPad – wifi only $400-

600)

Online Word ProcessingGoogle docsZoho WriterOpen Office

Word ProcessingLaptops ($350-500)Netbooks ($199-350)Tablet PCs (e.g. iPad – wifi only $400-

600)

Online Word ProcessingGoogle docsZoho WriterOpen Office

Digital Tools for TranscriptionDigital Tools for Transcription

Word Processing + Word PredictionCo-Writer ($80 – 325)WordQ ($199 - 225)

Word Processing + Speech RecognitionWordQ+SpeakQ ($279)Dragon Dictate – Home Ed. ($99)

Dragon Dictate – iPad App (free)

Word Processing + Word PredictionCo-Writer ($80 – 325)WordQ ($199 - 225)

Word Processing + Speech RecognitionWordQ+SpeakQ ($279)Dragon Dictate – Home Ed. ($99)

Dragon Dictate – iPad App (free)

PrewritingPrewritingPlanning & OrganizationPlanning & Organization

Technology for Prewriting can…Technology for Prewriting can…

Support the student inDetermining the purpose or goal Identifying a topic and intended

audienceGenerating ideasOrganizing ideas

Into text appropriate structures

Support the student inDetermining the purpose or goal Identifying a topic and intended

audienceGenerating ideasOrganizing ideas

Into text appropriate structures

Digital Tools for P & ODigital Tools for P & O

Outlining toolsWord Processor Outlines

Graphic (idea) organizerInspiration / Kidspiration

Outlining toolsWord Processor Outlines

Graphic (idea) organizerInspiration / Kidspiration

Organizational Tool Review

Organizational Tool Review

Content and procedural supportDraft-Builder

Writing Task TemplatesProcedural Support via Spoken Text

Prompts

Content and procedural supportDraft-Builder

Writing Task TemplatesProcedural Support via Spoken Text

Prompts

Editing & RevisingEditing & Revising“Make it Better!”“Make it Better!”

Editing Tool ReviewEditing Tool Review

Editing ToolsSpell check w/ Speech Output

Best used with spellchecking strategies

Editing ToolsSpell check w/ Speech Output

Best used with spellchecking strategies

Revising Tool SupportsRevising Tool Supports

Teacher NotesElectronic Mark-upElectronic Post-its

Audio notes

Text-to-Speech Screen ReviewMicrosoft NarratorMacintosh Voice OverAdd-ins, e.g., Natural Reader

Windows XP, Windows Vista

Teacher NotesElectronic Mark-upElectronic Post-its

Audio notes

Text-to-Speech Screen ReviewMicrosoft NarratorMacintosh Voice OverAdd-ins, e.g., Natural Reader

Windows XP, Windows Vista