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Supportive writing technology provides pupils with a means of compensating for some of the limitations and difficulties they have during the writing process. By using a word processor and other special software, a writer can produce more written work of a higher quality than would be possible by using pencil and paper.
The range of available supportive writing technology includes:
- Word Processors - Any word processor can help improve writing and classwork by enabling the writer to draft and re-draft work and print out neat final copies. Many word processors also have tools to help pupils who have particular difficulties planning, organising and structuring their work. Word processors are available on standard desktop computers, on ‘laptop’ or ‘notebooks’ computers, and in low-cost portable word processors.
- Talking Word Processors and Speech Output Utilities - Talking word processors and text-to-speech software use the computer to speak the text displayed on the screen. They let writers hear as well as see their work.
- Spellcheckers - Spellcheckers are built in to most word processors, and are available as small electronic handheld units. Almost all writers benefit from spellcheckers to correct typing mistakes but they can be particularly helpful for pupils with specific spelling difficulties.
- Wordbank Software - Word banks are lists or grids of words or phrases displayed on the screen. The writer clicks on the word with the mouse or switches to write it into the word processor. Non-readers can use grids with symbols or pictures.
- Prediction - Word predictors analyse the text as it is being written on the computer and try and predict the words the writer is likely to want to use. The pupil selects the correct word from a list rather than having to spell it letter by letter. Word prediction can help learners with spelling difficulties or physical typing problems to write more easily.
- Speech Recognition - This relatively new technology lets a writer dictate their work straight into the word processor and reduces the need to use a keyboard or spell individual words.
Each of these different writing tools can be used singly or in combination. How do we choose which type of tool is most appropriate for a particular individual pupil? And given that there are lots of different word processors, spellcheckers, word predictors and other tools, how do we decide which particular program is best?
This section of the website attempts to help you answer these questions. It will not answer them for you because choosing the most suitable technology depends so much on individual circumstances and situations, but it should give you the knowledge and expertise to make a more informed choice about supportive writing technology.
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