Tech Solutions for Writing: What Parents Need to Know

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Tech Solutions for WritingWhat Parents Need to
Know

• Presented by
• Anne Banton, OTR/L, ATP

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Assistive Technology Educational Network

• 1207 Mellonville Ave
• Sanford FL 32771
• [phone]

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(No Transcript)
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Learner Outcomes

• Participants will
• understand the writing demands of the public
  schools system.
• explore the range of technology supports
  available to accommodate the demands of writing.
• understand the support/training that must be
  provided to encourage successful technology
  implementation.
• receive a list of community/research resources.

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Fast Stats

• Handwriting is one of the most important skills
  that children acquire and use throughout the
  school years (Graham Weintraub, 1996)
• 10 to 20 of school aged children have problems
  with handwriting skills (Hamstra-Bletz Blote,
  1993)
• When handwriting skills are deficient, children
  suffer various consequences related to their
  academic performance (Graham Weintraub, 1996)
  and social interactions (Sandler et. Al., 1992)

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Pre-Technology Considerations

• Seating and positioning
• Optimal movement patterns
• Vision
• Functional vision
• Color acetates
• Handwriting instruction
• Handwriting without Tears
• Loops and Other Groups

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What options do I have?

• Low Tech
• Handwriting instruction, Pencil Grips, Paper
  Options, Rubber Stamps, Adapted Pencils,
• Organizational Aides
• Mid Tech
• Portable Word Processors
• Software
• Talking Word Processor, Word Prediction, Graphic
  Organizers

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Concepts to Remember

• Start Simple and Build Up
• Technology is Just a Tool
• Training is a Must
• Use your Resources

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Low Tech Tools for Handwriting

• Grips
• added to a pencil/pen
• encourage proper grasp

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Low Tech Tools for Handwriting

• Organizational Aides
• highlighters, highlighter tape, post it flags

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Low Tech Tools for Handwriting

• Alternatives to Writing
• rubber stamps
• Bingo stamp

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Low Tech Tools for Handwriting

• Writing Utensils
• alternate pens and pencils
• weighted, vibrating, small, ergonomic

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Low Tech Tools for Handwriting

• Paper
• visual or tactile cues
• identify boundaries better for more legible
  writing

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Mid Tech Tools for Handwriting

• Alphasmart
• Calcuscribe
• Dana
• Laser PC6
• Neo
• QuickPad IR
• The Writer Plus

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Advantages to Computer Use

• Improved written product
• Neater
• Legible
• More accurate
• Improved efficiency
• More easily correct errors (Margalit Roth,
  1989)
• Less hesitant to review and change work on
  computer (Graham MacArthur, 1988, Jones 1994)

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Disadvantages to Computer Use

• More restrictive/Not always available (Kahn
  Freyd, 1990)
• Unfamiliarity leads to decreased speed (Koorland,
  Edwards, Doak, 1996)

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Factors to Consider

• Ease of use
• Cognitive load for student and teacher
• Memory requirements
• Weight and size of device
• Portability
• Keyboard options
• Variety of keyboard layouts
• Sticky keys
• Slow keys

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Features to Consider

• Editing features
• Spell check
• Dictionary/thesaurus
• Word prediction
• Additional programs
• Calculator
• Address book
• Calendar
• Voice output

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AlphaSmart 3000

• Uses SmartApplets limited number
• Calculator
• Word prediction
• Inspiration Outline
• Typing practice
• AlphaQuiz
• Variety of keyboard options
• QWERTY, Dvorak, right or left hand
• Auto repeat and sticky keys
• Easily transfer information to computer
• Limited amount of text

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Calcuscribe

• External number pad with scientific calculator
• Auto repeat and sticky keys
• Can be used as external keyboard
• WordWiz and MathWiz programs built-in
• All accessories not included in base price
• Two font sizes

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Dana

• Uses Palm OS software
• Word processor, address book, calculator, to-do
  list, memo pad, scheduler
• Add other Palm OS software
• Various screen orientations font sizes
• Voice output (WriteOutloud to Go)
• Expansion slots
• Keyboard options
• Wireless version available

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Laser PC6

• Expandable cartridges - text-to-speech or
  Thesaurus
• Word Prediction, spreadsheet, telephone
  directory, homework calendar, typing tutor
• Sticky keys (Shift and Control)
• Two font sizes

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Neo

• Uses SmartApplets room for several
• 2-6 lines of text
• Sticky keys, auto repeat
• Spanish-English equivalents
• Room for hundreds of pages of text
• Keyboard options

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QuickPad IR

• Phone book, and homework pad
• Sticky keys (shift only)
• Typing Tutor
• Can be used as external keyboard

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The Writer Plus

• Thesaurus and Auto Thesaurus
• Word prediction
• Writing rubric prints at end of document
• Typing tutor

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Points to Remember

• Each one has different features
• Must include training
• How to use
• How to print/send data
• Typing
• Must include time to practice typing
• Assess effectiveness of technology

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Comparison Sheet
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Test Accommodations

• FCAT
• Be on IEP
• Be used consistently throughout year
• Extra features turned off (spell check)
• SAT
• Special request

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Software Tools for Handwriting

• Word prediction program
• Talking word processor
• Graphic organizer

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Word Prediction Programs

• Decreases keystrokes
• Energy conservation
• Examples
• Cowriter - Don Johnston, Inc.
• WordQ - Quillsoft Ltd.
• IntelliTalk 3 - IntelliTools, Inc.

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Talking Word Processors

• Auditory Feedback to increase reading and
  comprehension skills
• Customizable voices and pronunciation
• Examples
• WriteOutloud - Don Johnston, Inc.
• IntelliTalk 3 - IntelliTools, Inc.
• Talking Word Processor - Premier Assistive
  Technology, Inc.

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Graphic Organizers

• Diagramming
• Organizing
• Concept maps and webs
• Examples
• DraftBuilder - Don Johnston, Inc.
• Kidspiration/Inspiration - Inspiration Software,
  Inc.
• Spark-Space - Spark-Space Ltd.

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Manufacturers

• AKT - The Writer Plus
• PO Box 2418
• Paso Robles, CA 93447-2418
• 800-797-7121 www.keyboardinstructor.com
• AlphaSmart - AlphaSmart, Dana, Neo
• 973 University Avenue
• Los Gatos, CA 95032
• 888-274-0680 www.Alphasmart.com
• American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
  - Getting a Grip on Handwriting
• 4720 Montgomery Lane
• Bethesda, MD 20804
• 301-652-2682 www.AOTA.org
• Calcuscribe - Calcuscribe Duo
• 98 Cervantes Boulevard, Suite 1
• San Francisco, CA 94123
• 415-923-1024 www.calcuscribe.com

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Manufacturers

• Don Johnston, Inc. - Cowriter, WriteOutloud
  DraftBuilder
• 26799 West Commerce Drive
• Volo, IL 60073
• 800-999-4660 www.donjohnston.com
• Inspiration Software, Inc. - Inspiration/Kidspira
  tion
• 7412 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway
• Portland OR 97225
• 800-877-4292 www.inspiration.com
• IntelliTools, Inc. - IntelliTalk 3
• 1720 Corporate Circle
• Petaluma, CA 94954
• 800-899-6687 www.intellitools.com
• Onion Mountain Technology, Inc. - various low
  tech items
• 74 Sexton Hollow Road
• Canton, CT 06019
• 860-693-2683 www.onionmountaintech.com
• Perfect Solutions - Laser PC6
• 10763 Versailles Blvd.
• Wellington, FL. 33467-8091

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Manufacturers

• Premier Assisitve Technology, Inc. -
  Accessibility Suite
• 1309 N. William St. 
• Joliet, IL   60435     
• 815-722-5961 www.readingmadeeasy.com
• QuickPad Technology Corp. - Quickpad IR
• 620-B Clyde Avenue
• Mountain View, CA 94043
• 800-373-8181 www.quickpad.com
• QuillSoft Ltd. - WordQ
• 2416 Queen Street East.
• Toronto, Ontario M1N 1A2 CANADA
• 1-866-629-6737 www.wordq.com
• Spark-Space, Ltd. - Spark-Space
• 23-24 Margaret Street
• London, W1W 9RU United Kingdom
• 011 44 870 240 3198 www.spark-space.com

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References/Resources

• www.aten.scps.k12.fl.us www.ataccess.org
• Cook, A.C. Hussey, S.M. (2002). Assistive
  Technologies Principles and Practice, 2nd
  Edition. St. Louis,MO Mosby.
• Hammerschmidt, S.L. Sudssawad, P. (2004).
  Teachers survey on Problems with Handwriting
  Referral, Evaluation, and Outcomes. American
  Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(2), 185 -
  192.
• Male, M. (2003). Technology for Inclusion
  Meeting the Special Needs of All Students, 4th
  Edition. Boston, MA Pearson Educational Group.
• Preminger, F., Weiss, P.L., Weintraub, N.
  (2004). Predicting Occupational Performance
  Handwriting Versus Keyboarding. American Journal
  of Occupational Therapy, 58(2), 193 - 201.
• Winebrenner, S (1996). Teaching Kids with
  Learning difficulties in the Regular Classroom.
  Minneapolis, MN Free Spirit Publishing.