Overview

Computers can enhance students' writing abilities by offering alternative strategies to production and learning. In this module, we identify specific software features and programs to enhance writing opportunities. We have also compiled a list of vendors of software helpful to students who have difficulty writing.

As students begin the writing process, they associate sounds with the shapes of words and letters. They look to see if the words make sense and are spelled correctly. They read what they have written to themselves or aloud. When composing or revising, they look to previous sections and insert, erase, reorganize or make notes. Pens and pencils are their writing tools; legibility in written work is important.

Students with disabilities frequently require alternative ways of creating written text. A continuum of writing tools and strategies includes pencils to computers to voice input. Although low-tech options should be considered, computers offer a variety of features that can support the writing process.

Using a keyboard to write often eliminates legibility issues. Students are able to see and hear as they write with special software programs. Computers can also provide assistance with visual organization, outlining, and step-by-step direction following -- all which support the writing process.

Several software programs can assist students with writing. We present them here in a series from commercial programs, most often found in elementary classrooms, to special programs designed for students with disabilities. Teachers find that many of the "special" features often promote enhanced writing in all of their students!

Word Processors

Word processing programs are used to create and work with text or words, such as in writing spelling lists, writing letters or other reports, compositions or assignments. These programs, basic to classroom computer use, include several common features to make writing easier and more fun for students.

Common Features

The following features are common to most word processing programs. Students and teachers can use these features for better composition. We suggest some other uses as classroom examples of integrating computer use into the daily curriculum.

Change the size, style and/or color of the font:
Changing the appearance of the text helps add emphasis or purpose to text on a page or screen. It can also make writing easier for students with disabilities.

Check out our example of changing the text on a lemonade stand advertisement. Although it helps make the text more attractive from a seller's standpoint, students can use these options to make text easier to see and to emphasize certain words.

Classroom Examples

• A student can use the color options to make the TITLE of his report stand out.
• Teachers may instruct students to "locate all verbs (or pronouns, proper nouns, etc.) on the screen and highlight them in blue".
• Multiple-choice answers on an electronic quiz/test can be highlighted in color.

Less Common Features

Additional features found in comprehensive word processing programs may be particularly useful to students with disabilities. Teachers should be aware of these features to customize the writing environment to the unique needs of the individual student before he begins. Look in the software documentation or help index to see if they are available in your word processor.

Examples

• When selecting a font for a student, consider using a cursive font; i.e. Lucinda Handwriting or Monotype Corsiva if other students are writing that way. We have provided a list of websites for special handwriting fonts.
• Change the background color of the screen for higher contrast or student preference.
• Adjust the spacing between letters or lines or animate the
  words! This feature may make words easier to see for some students.

AutoText Option

Set up this option for the student to insert frequently used text and graphics (i.e. paper headings, addresses, etc.) when she types a few identifying characters. View an example of the AutoText Option.

AutoCorrect Option

With this option, the computer automatically corrects certain misspelled words as they are typed (i.e. hte = the). You can add entries to the list to make his/her typing (and spelling!) more efficient. These entries can make vocabulary more easily available to young writers. View an example of the AutoCorrect Option.

Toolbar Options

Create a toolbar that contains only the buttons and menus the student uses most often. You can also make the toolbar buttons larger and group the related buttons together. This feature gives the student better control over fewer options and helps to promote independent use. View examples of Toolbar options.

Menu Options

You can minimize the number of choices on a pull down menu to make it simpler for a student. Figure 1 in the Menu Options Example illustrates the standard options on the "File" pull-down menu. Figure 2 illustrates a simplified menu with only New, Open, Save and Print options.

Shortcut Options

You can use a toolbar button or a menu command to assign a shortcut key/function for quickly gaining access to frequently used commands, styles, AutoText entries, and fonts. For example, you can create a shortcut that applies a frequently used paragraph style or character style. These shortcuts are also known as "macros" in other software programs.

Writing Aids

To help the student increase vocabulary, correct spelling, and ease the writing process, several additional software features are often available. They are often incorporated into comprehensive word processing software, such as Microsoft's Word or AppleWorks. Other stand-alone commercial programs provide opportunities for classroom activities such as dictionary or categorization activities. We list some examples below:

Examples (intermediate grades 4-5)

Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia (DK Publishing, Inc.)
The Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia includes 450 main entries, arranged in alphabetical order and written in clear, lively text. It includes 1,500 additional sub-entries on a wide range of topics.

Amazing Talking Dictionary (DK Publishing, Inc.)
Designed for young users, this dictionary offers many pictures. It includes the capability of reading definitions aloud to beginning readers.

Inspiration (Inspiration Software, Inc. )
Inspiration is a powerful visual learning tool that inspires students to use words in ways that organize their thinking. Students use Inspiration's Diagram view to dynamically create and modify concept maps, webs and other graphical organizers. You can download a free trial version!

Kidspiration (Inspiration Software, Inc.)
Designed for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade, Kidspiration helps young students see, organize and develop their great ideas.

Draft Builder (Don Johnston, Inc. + Education Development Center)
Draft:Builder gives students a framework for organizing their thoughts and information so they can develop first drafts ready for editing and revising. Draft:Builder helps students with learning difficulties to learn and practice the writing process.

Spell Checkers
Many students have difficulty with spelling. Several tools can help, including handheld devices (such as the popular Franklin spelling tools) and software applications or features within writing programs. . Various features include:

• Student Control: Can the student choose when to check his spelling, or does the program control this?
• Contextual Spelling: Is the misspelled word shown within the context of the sentence?
• Homonyms: Can the program distinguish between similar-sounding words (i.e., two and too)?
• Hear the Choices: Text-to-speech features allow the student to hear the misspelled word and suggestion lists spoken by the computer.

Talking Word Processors

Talking word processing programs can help introduce writing to students. These programs speak aloud what is typed into the computer. They echo each letter as it is typed and each word as the spacebar is pressed. When beginning to write, most students find they benefit from visual and auditory supports. The ability to hear a letter or word spoken as it is typed helps children to more quickly associate letters and words with their sounds, thereby connecting visual and auditory images of words.

As these programs also provide ways to re-read text, they give power and independence. Children can hear their texts as often as they like and go back and change what they want. Text can be totally re-read or read by word, sentence or paragraph.

Most talking word processors also provide adjustable font size and adjustable foreground and background colors. All children benefit, as these programs work to enhance the acquisition of literacy skills. Using a multisensory approach improves writing because students immediately hear if letters or words are omitted or misplaced.

Examples

Write: Outloud V.3 (DJ, Inc.)
This dedicated talking word processor is recommended for all grades. The software can speak words and sentences, read whole entries, and repeat text as often as desired. Students can also import graphics to help them write and listen to their work with one of three voices. They can choose screen and font colors, and highlight words or sentences in different colors. Beginning writers like this easy to use program. It includes the Talking Franklin® Spell Checker, Dictionary and Homonym Checker for older students.

IntelliTalk II (IntelliTools)
This fully accessible talking word processor combines speech, graphics, and text with dynamic palettes to support learning throughout the curriculum. The new (2000) version includes step-by-step tutorials on the IntelliTools website. A Teacher's Guide with lesson plans for different age groups is provided.

Type & Talk (textHELP)
This dedicated talking word processor can provide a successful environment for the early writer. Advanced features make this dedicated word processor program also appropriate for students in intermediate grades, when writing activities become more complex. This program includes speech, an advanced phonetic spell checker, word prediction, and a thesaurus among other features.

Read & Write (textHELP)
Read & Write includes even more features and can be used with any IBM word processor. It will read text from the screen aloud, as well as menus, lists and other boxes on the screen using optional friendly animated characters for easy use. (MS Windows only)

eReader (CAST)
This talking word processor adds spoken voice, visual highlighting, document navigation, or page navigation to any electronic text. Web pages can be accessed and read directly from the tool bar. The student is able to control movement through the text using automatic or manual stepping to each "chunk" of text.

Word Prediction

Some students know what they want to write, but have difficulty forming the words or thinking of new words to use. Word prediction programs are used with word processors to provide a more efficient way of producing written work. A novice writer can create a complete word by typing one or two letters. The programs reduce the number of keystrokes made by "predicting" the desired word after a student types a single letter. Some programs even include a "predict ahead" feature that anticipates the next word. These programs can effectively improve the quality and level of writing by suggesting new words stored in a customizable dictionary. The parent or teacher of a student can add vocabulary pertinent to different topics or courses.

Look for different options when selecting a word prediction program, such as:

• The ability to speak words and sentences as they are created for review, editing or communication purposes,
• The number of word choices and how they are selected,
• Ability to modify software features for individual needs,
• Voice output, and
• Scanning features.

Word prediction can sometimes be found in other assistive programs such as onscreen keyboards.

Examples

Co-Writer 4000 (Don Johnston, Inc.) View our example of Co-Writer 4000 used with Write OutLoud.

EZ Keys (Words+, Inc.)

Gus! Word Prediction (Gus Communications, Inc.)

Word Q (QuillSoft)

Abbreviation Expansion

Another option to help make students better and more efficient writers is abbreviation expansion. This is a user-defined shorthand program, frequently paired with word prediction programs for even more typing efficiency. This feature allows students to retrieve phrases with single or dual keystrokes. Often found as AutoText/AutoCorrect features on word processors, dedicated programs are also available.

This feature is often combined with specialized keyboard assistance programs that offer the students a combination of assistive features: word prediction, abbreviation expansion, speech output, etc. These programs also act to reduce the complexity of computer commands as a combination of software commands can be sequenced under a single key.

Examples

View our chart of abbreviation expansion programs.

EZ Keys (Words+, Inc.)

Gus! Access Keyboard (Gus Communications, Inc.)

HandiWORD (Microsystems Software Inc.)

Favorite Writing Activities

We have found several software programs that you can use with students with differing abilities in your classroom. They all contribute to writing skill development by including elements of speech output. This allows students to hear the computer read aloud what they write. They are fun for kids since they also use pictures, drawing utilities, animated words and other visual enhancements to help students write.

As literacy development includes writing, reading, speaking and listening, speech input and output clearly enhances the quality of learning. Some programs include a microphone allowing children to input their own voices for storytelling and sound effects.

Examples

Writing with Symbols + Text

Several program not only offer text-to-speech features but, like the ones above, promote writing by including symbols and text together:

Writing with Symbols 2000 (Mayer- Johnson)

PixWriter (Slater Software)

Email Penpals

Using a computer and an Internet connection, children can practice writing and communication skills and acquaint with other students as email penpals. Several websites help to connect children and support their use of this new medium.

Ability Online This site connects kids with special needs on email for friendship and support.

ePals More than 60,000 classroom profiles bring people in 191 countries together as cross-cultural learning partners and friends. Meet and correspond with international students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, schools, teachers, keypals and pen pals.

KeyPals Club This club helps students connect with students. There are over 25,000 registered users from 76 countries.

Email Help There are several products available that assist students with disabilities with creating and reading email messages among other supports.

V3 Mail This software offers voice messages (MP3) as well as TTS (text to speech) options for students. The TTS features also includes translation from several languages

I Can Email (R J Cooper) Designed for students with cognitive, visual, and/or physical challenges. In addition to reading any email message, it guides the user through the email process asking one question at a time, such as "Who would you like to send this to?"

Developing Skills

Spelling

Software that focuses on developing or strengthening specific skills used in writing, including spelling, is also available.

Simon Spells (Don Johnson, Inc.)
Friendly tutors guide student in grades 1-3 through spelling activities.

Spelling Rules (Optimum Resources)
Students work with appropriate level words that follow common spelling patterns, as well as exceptions to the rules. The program allows students to improve their ability to spell correctly and accurately. The program is designed for use in grades 3 - 9 and has varied levels. You can use it in self-paced or test form. It provides valuable and much needed skills training in an engaging and visual manner.

Grammar

Carmen Sandiego Word Detective (Broderbund)
In Carmen Sandiego Word Detective, the power of speech is at stake! Even the most respected ACME agents have been rendered powerless and speechless thanks to Carmen Sandiego and her diabolical invention, the Babble-On Machine. Speaking, reading and writing as we know it will cease to exist unless players can stop Carmen's plans to steal language and wreak communication chaos! Students will embark on a series of 12 exciting missions to Carmen's hideouts throughout the world, where they'll encounter activities covering grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.

Punctuation

Punctuation Rules (Optimum Resource Inc)
This program covers material ranging from categories of sentences to forming possessives. It allows students to gain strength in their ability to correctly use punctuation. The open-ended teachers section and add-on questions make the program extremely flexible. (Mac/PC)

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Development (Optimum Resources)
Students in grades 3 - 9 relate their current knowledge of vocabulary to the context in which they discover an unfamiliar word. They use a variety of contextual aids. This program illustrates synonyms, antonyms, prefixes, suffixes, homophones, multiple meanings and context clues in a variety of levels. (Mac/PC)

Inclusive Programs

Cornerstone Language Arts (SkillsBank Corp.)
Cornerstone Language Arts is a basic skills program for grades 3-8. It has a five-step system to help students of all ability levels strengthen language art skills. It contains over 175 lessons in capitalization, punctuation, spelling and usage with diagnostic and prescriptive accountability. (Macintosh, PC)

Speech Recognition

Contributed by Christine Oddo (UB/CAT)

A speech recognition system is another tool for writing. It provides an alternative option for students unable to use standard methods for computer access to write more efficiently. It should be viewed as part of a continuum of writing technology strategies that includes pencils to computer input by voice.

With speech recognition software and computer hardware, a student trains the computer to recognize her voice for writing or giving computer commands. Students can use voice recognition to write within a word processor or to create an email message. It can also execute program commands such as saving or printing or to control the mouse.

Portable Use

Some programs can be used with portable digital recorders to let students record their speech in multiple environments. The computer then transcribes their work to text later.

Features

Speech recognition is a rapidly growing and changing technology field. Many companies offer more than one version of a program; different versions will have different features. As you investigate these programs look for features that are most beneficial for individual students.

• Continuous Speech -- A student speaks a string of words with a normal rate of speech, not pausing between words.
• Dedicated Word Processor -- A built-in word processor provides the user a quick start.
• Hands-Free -- A student's voice can create text, input commands and perform mouse movements. Other programs require using the keyboard/mouse together with the student's speech.
• Playback - The spoken text is repeated in the student's voice.
• Text-to-Speech - The produced text is read back with a computer voice. This may make it easier to identify errors.
• Use Across Applications - Some programs work with one or two applications, such as word processors. Others work with all software programs.
• Customization - A variety of options should be examined:
  • Built-in keyboard commands
  • Built-in voice navigation
  • Built-in macros
  • Macros created by the user

  Macros provide opportunities for students to control repetitive tasks, insert pre-determined text phrases, or create scripts to do things like send e-mail, select and complete math problems or organize a personal calendar.

Several programs are available that provide a range of options. This promising technology will most likely be the input of choice by a wide range of computer users. Check out the ATTO Speech Recognition Software Comparison Chart for additional information on features appealing to students.

Programs that offer continuous speech include:

• Dragon Naturally Speaking Standard (Dragon Systems, Inc.)
• Dragon Naturally Speaking® Essentials (Dragon Systems)
• Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred (Dragon Systems, Inc.)
• Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred USB (Dragon Systems)
• ViaVoice Millennium (IBM) Mac Version available.
• iListen (MacSpeech, Inc.)

Products using Dragon Naturally Speaking are provided by ScanSoft, Inc. Check their Product Feature Matrix on the website to compare models.

Discrete Speech - With discrete speech, a student must pause between each spoken word. This feature was common with the first speech recognition programs. Then it was limited for a while, but today, the Naturally Speaking products again allow for "one word at a time" speech. The slow pacing and operation may best match the student's production style, at least at a certain point in time. Custom words can be entered into the active vocabulary. This is useful for students whose voices are not strong or consistent. Programs offering discrete speech include:

• Dragon Dictate (Dragon Systems, Inc.)
• Keystone Screenspeaker (KeySpell)
  This training utility for use with Dragon voice recognition software helps poor readers set up and use their dictation software. It reads your work back to you as you dictate.

Eligible Students

Students who can benefit from speech recognition vary greatly in their needs. Speech recognition can assist students who have the following difficulties:

• Students who are unable to manipulate writing tools and who require an alternative system.
• Students who have difficulty with writing mechanics; those having difficulty with spelling, grammar, etc.
• Students who have difficulty with the writing process; with getting their ideas written down.

Student Abilities

Successful use of speech recognition requires certain abilities of student users. The level of independence will vary with each student. Students must:

• Be able to complete the voice training program,
• Be able to understand the dictation process,
• Learn how to use the voice program; be able to repeat phrases in the same level of intonation
• Remember verbal prompts
• Identify the correct spelling of words,
• Identify words as they appear on the screen and recognize and correct as they occur, and
• Be able to learn how to use the speech program with other applications.

View our voice recognition checklist for additional information.

Aids & Supports

Students using speech recognition will need support from the educational system in terms of:

• Sufficient training for the student with trainer available,
• Technical support from persons familiar with the program,
• Adequate release time for training of technical persons, educators, family members,
• Quiet school locations where the students can use the system satisfactorily, and
• Instructional support for the student to progress with writing opportunities.

Voice Recognition Resources

Within this fast changing field, there are excellent resources to keep you updated:

From the QIAT listserv, here are Tips for Using Speech Recognition with Students with Disabilities.

Speaking to Write
An excellent site for issues related to speech recognition technology. Join the spk2wrt listserv, explore the message archives or interact with a variety of materials on this topic.

Say I Can!
Read the entire Dragon Naturally Speaking Guide free! All twenty-one chapters (288 pages) of this top-selling book are yours to read online.

Speaking To Write/ Word For Word: An overview of Speech Recognition by Bob Follansbee, Ed. D.
Find out what we really know about speech recognition for students with LD and how it works or doesn't.

NCIP Voice Recognition
This site offers updates on voice recognition technology with input from Dr. Bob Follansbee, Director of the Computer Learning Program at Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Printing

Many students have difficulty producing legible work, a critical component of writing. Consider using the computer to lessen students' frustration and promote their capabilities.

Computers frequently solve writing legibility problems as students can "write" in a variety of ways: by typing letters, using whole-word programs, or even voice dictation. Remember to set (or show the student how to set) the size, style and color of the font.

Most word processing programs will print the screen exactly as you see it. Of course, you will need a color printer to print in color! Consider using a variety of colored and patterned papers for "special" stories and reports.

Font Programs

All students want to produce written work like everyone else. With the addition of a special school font program, printouts can incorporate lined paper and cursive script.

Resources

List of Vendors of Software to Enhance Writing

Follansbee, B. & McCloskey-Dale, S.R. (2000) Speech recognition in schools: An update from the field. CSUN 2000 Proceedings.

Speaking to Write
This federally-funded project explores the use of speech recognition technology by secondary students with disabilities. It provides a wide range of general information useful for any age user, including speech recognition products, a discussion mailing list (listserv) and links.

21st Century Eloquence
This site includes a web page with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), a glossary of terms and the latest developments in the world of voice recognition technology;

Game Commander
This program simply runs in the background to supplement computer games with voice commands so the student can respond to every situation in the fastest and most natural way. It can be used in combination with the keyboard and joystick. A trial version is available.