Composing+Written+Material+2

=Assistive Technology to Support Writing= =Created by Monica Velez=

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 * What are the major components of the writing process? || **Prewriting:** This is the process that helps you find the right words for your expression. It involves a thorough research on the subject to write on and the gathering of all the information about the subject from every available source of information. This forms an important component of the writing process as it deals with the collection of information and the experimentation of ideas.

**Drafting:** After you finish gathering the information about your topic, the next step is to draft your write-up. This process requires the planning and organizing of the gathered facts. The results of your research should be organized in a logical manner so that the message borne by your writing is conveyed to your readers. For an effective relay of your thoughts to your readers, you need to present the information in an organized manner and include the different angles of looking at the subject. An organized draft of your content is one of the key components of the writing process.

**Revising:** The next important component of the process of writing is revising of the draft. It is the phase in which you need to reread and evaluate and correct the errors in your draft and also think about the ways to improve your writing. You may like to revise your way of communication, your style of writing or the way in which you have put up your information. Revising is an important constituent of writing as it is about giving a second thought to your writing. This is when you finalize your approach towards the subject and the way to put it up.

**Editing:** The process of editing is another important component of writing. When you are satisfied with your writing, you can subject your write-up to the process of editing. It is during editing that your writing gets the finishing touches. It is checked for minor mistakes if any and your write-up is all set for publication. The process of publishing follows, after the completion of which, you can get the actual feedback from your readers. This phase of publishing is especially important, as it helps you connect with your readers and reap the fruit of the ‘seeds of words’ you had down.


 * Sharing/Publishing **** : ** Once the writing process is completely finished (usually after multiple drafts and revisions), you should share the final product with other or publish it. One can publish by posting your work on websites, bulletin board displays, class books, or discussion boards.

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 * What kinds of problems do students with disabilities have with writing? || Students with disabilities have difficulties with all the processes as listed above. Children with learning disabilities and attention deficits, in particular, find the writing process overwhelming. Spelling is troublesome for students with learning disabilities. Their writing is often filled with misspelled words that are not corrected because students with learning disabilities have difficulty detecting the spelling errors in their writings.(Darch,Kim,Johnson, & James, 2000; Jones 2001). Students who are deaf and communicate primarily through sign language have literacy levels well below grade level. Students with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and other physical disabilities struggle with the mechanics of writing. ||
 * Which technology tools can address these problems, and how? || The mechanics and physical aspects of producing text with a pen or keyboard is only the first part in the complex, multifaceted process of writing. The 'content' of writing, along with grammar, spelling, punctuation and meaning is the final outcome of the writing process. Focusing on the input system and improving speed, accuracy and efficiency of text input must be done within the context of an overall approach to the overall writing process, with the outcome of high quality, meaningful content produced in the quickest and easiest way possible for each individual user. Here are some softwares and tools that can help students that have trouble with writing process.

**A word/picture processing program** allows you to type words and have the option of having picture symbols quickly pop in with each word.
 * Allows teachers and parents to make picture materials.
 * Allows nontext ready individuals to write with pictures.
 * Allows text users to have a talking word processing program with a pictorial spell checker.


 * IntelliTalk II�, by IntelliTools**, is a word processor which combines speech, graphics, and text.
 * Speech options and auditory Spell Check reinforce letter and word recognition.
 * Built-in scanning and automatic overlay generation provide IntelliKeys and switch access.
 * On-screen palettes provide picture and text prompts.
 * Comes with pre-designed activities, writing templates, toolbars, and hundreds of picture items for you to use in your activities.
 * Locked text allows student to use teacher-made worksheets that can not be written over or erased.

**Clicker** is a writing and multimedia tool. Designed for children of all abilities. It has a wide range of accessibility options for users who cannot use a mouse or keyboard.


 * Enables children to write with whole words and pictures
 * Easy to tailor for individual needs
 * Supports all areas of the curriculum
 * Brainstorm ideas with pictures and words

K-5 students use **Kidspiration** to: -Organize and categorize information visually - Create stories and descriptions using engaging visual tools - Explore new ideas with thought webs and visual mapping Kidspiration has a **picture view** to represent ideas using symbols. The **Writing View**, which integrates with Picture View, helps students connect their visual thoughts to words. **Audio** gives students the chance to hear their work read aloud or record their own words. All menus, buttons and other text are audio supported as well, helping children read and navigate. **Inspiration** provides an integrated diagramming and outlining environment for brainstorming, organization and creation of outlines. In the Diagram View, users create and use concept maps, webs, and other graphic organizers. With the integrated Outline View, users instantly transform their thoughts into the foundation of written projects. One-click transfer moves work to a word processor to complete the writing process. For Grade 6 through adult. A word/picture processing program allows you to type words and have the option of having picture symbols quickly pop in with each word.

Allows teachers and parents to make picture materials.
 * Allows nontext ready individuals to write with pictures.
 * Allows text users to have a talking word processing program with a pictorial spell checker. ||
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