Composing Written Material:
"Writing is a complex problem solving activity that involves thinking, planning, and decision making, in addition to the mechanics of transcription" (Dell 24). Flower and Hayes came up with a cognitive process to writing in 1981. This process brings together prewriting, drafting, reviewing, editing, and publishing as a means to composing a written work. However, for students with disabilities, this writing process can prove to be a difficult and frustrating thing. Whether it be due to trouble understanding the work, expressing their ideas, or even trouble with the mechanics of writing, students with disabilities often shy away from writing. Below are different types of assistive technologies that can aid these students in their writing.
Low-Tech Assistive Technology:
-Graphic Organizers: Graphic organizers prove to be immensely helpful to those students who have trouble organizing their thoughts. Graphic organizers encourage students to think about what they want to write and to organize it in a logical manner.
-Graphic Organizers: Graphic organizers prove to be immensely helpful to those students who have trouble organizing their thoughts. Graphic organizers encourage students to think about what they want to write and to organize it in a logical manner.
-Templates: Writing templates are ideal for those students who cannot yet turn a brainstorming activity into an organized concept map. This is commonly found in students with attention deficit disorder or those with learning disabilities. Writing templates offer students a predesigned format that matches the task the student is required to do. Student no longer need to worry about the organization of the work but rather the content.
Mid-Tech Assistive Technology:
-Portable Keyboard: A portable keyboard greatly benefits students who have trouble with motor skills or learning disabilities Even a student who can organize their writing may not be able to portray their ideas in a coherent manner. By using a portable keyboard, the student will not need to focus on handwriting, but rather on content and expression.
-Portable Keyboard: A portable keyboard greatly benefits students who have trouble with motor skills or learning disabilities Even a student who can organize their writing may not be able to portray their ideas in a coherent manner. By using a portable keyboard, the student will not need to focus on handwriting, but rather on content and expression.
Iris Pen- The Iris Pen is a pen that allows students to transfer text, including their notes, into a computer with minimal effort. This saves the student from having to retype and organize their notes. Once scanned into the computer, the text can be edited and rearranged.
High-Tech Assistive Technology:
Inspiration: Inspiration is software that students can use for visual mapping, writing, outlining, brainstorming, and much more. It aids the students with organization and planning, so they can more easily express their ideas. For use in the K-12 environment, Inspiration is packed with different electronic graphic organizers to help organize ideas initially. When it comes time to write, the integrated Outline View can be accessed in order to keep students focused and on track.
Inspiration: Inspiration is software that students can use for visual mapping, writing, outlining, brainstorming, and much more. It aids the students with organization and planning, so they can more easily express their ideas. For use in the K-12 environment, Inspiration is packed with different electronic graphic organizers to help organize ideas initially. When it comes time to write, the integrated Outline View can be accessed in order to keep students focused and on track.
-Co:Writer: Co:Writer is word prediction software that predicts the anticipated word that the student will type. Perfect for students with motor skills, illegible handwriting, and learning disabilities, Co:Writer minimizes the amount of keystrokes needed to type out a word. While the predicted word is not always right, Co:Writer makes educated guesses based on the frequency of words used. While not for everyone, word prediction software such as this one can greatly benefit a student who has difficulty typing.
Sources:
-http://www.donjohnston.com/products/cowriter/index.html
-http://www.irislink.com/c2-1692-189/IRISPen-6--Overview.aspx
-Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom:enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. (2nd Ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
-http://www.irislink.com/c2-1692-189/IRISPen-6--Overview.aspx
-Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom:enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. (2nd Ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.