Tech Solutions for Writing: What Parents Need to Know Presented by: Anne Banton, OTR/L, ATP.

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Tech Solutions for Writing: What Parents Need to Know Presented by: Anne Banton, OTR/L, ATP

Transcript of Tech Solutions for Writing: What Parents Need to Know Presented by: Anne Banton, OTR/L, ATP.

Tech Solutions for Writing:What Parents Need to Know

Presented by:Anne Banton, OTR/L, ATP

Assistive Technology Educational Network

1207 Mellonville AveSanford FL 32771(800) 328-3678

HRD

Child Find

Parent

Services

Technology

FIMC

ATEN

RMTC TECH

Technology

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.

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)”

Pre-Technology Considerations

Seating and positioning Optimal movement patterns

Vision Functional vision Color acetates

Handwriting instruction Handwriting without Tears Loops and Other Groups

What options do I have? Low Tech

Handwriting instruction, Pencil Grips, Paper Options, Rubber Stamps, Adapted Pencils,Organizational Aides

Mid TechPortable Word Processors

SoftwareTalking Word Processor, Word Prediction, Graphic Organizers

Concepts to Remember

Start Simple and Build Up

Technology is Just a Tool

Training is a Must

Use your Resources

Low Tech Tools for HandwritingGrips added to a pencil/pen encourage proper grasp

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Low Tech Tools for HandwritingOrganizational Aides highlighters, highlighter tape, post it flags

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Low Tech Tools for HandwritingAlternatives to Writing rubber stamps Bingo stamp

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Low Tech Tools for HandwritingWriting Utensils alternate pens and pencils weighted, vibrating, small, ergonomic…

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Low Tech Tools for HandwritingPaper visual or tactile cues identify boundaries better for more legible writing

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Mid Tech Tools for Handwriting Alphasmart Calcuscribe Dana Laser PC6 Neo QuickPad IR The Writer Plus

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)

Disadvantages to Computer Use

More restrictive/Not always available (Kahn & Freyd, 1990)

Unfamiliarity leads to decreased speed (Koorland, Edwards, & Doak, 1996)

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

Features to Consider Editing features

Spell check Dictionary/thesaurus Word prediction

Additional programs Calculator Address book Calendar

Voice output

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

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

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 (Write:Outloud to Go) Expansion slots Keyboard options Wireless version available

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

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

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

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

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

The Writer Plus Thesaurus and Auto Thesaurus Word prediction Writing rubric prints at end of

document Typing tutor

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

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

Comparison Sheet

Test Accommodations

FCAT Be on IEP Be used consistently throughout year Extra features turned off (spell check…)

SAT Special request

Software Tools for Handwriting

Word prediction program

Talking word processor

Graphic organizer

Word Prediction Programs

Decreases keystrokes

Energy conservation

Examples Co:writer - Don Johnston, Inc. WordQ - Quillsoft Ltd. IntelliTalk 3 - IntelliTools, Inc.

Talking Word Processors Auditory Feedback to increase reading

and comprehension skills

Customizable voices and pronunciation

Examples Write:Outloud - Don Johnston, Inc. IntelliTalk 3 - IntelliTools, Inc. Talking Word Processor - Premier Assistive

Technology, Inc.

Graphic Organizers Diagramming

Organizing

Concept maps and webs

Examples Draft:Builder - Don Johnston, Inc. Kidspiration/Inspiration - Inspiration

Software, Inc. Spark-Space - Spark-Space Ltd.

ManufacturersAKT - The Writer Plus

PO Box 2418Paso Robles, CA 93447-2418800-797-7121 www.keyboardinstructor.com

AlphaSmart - AlphaSmart, Dana, Neo973 University AvenueLos Gatos, CA 95032888-274-0680 www.Alphasmart.com

American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. - Getting a Grip on Handwriting

4720 Montgomery LaneBethesda, MD 20804301-652-2682 www.AOTA.org

Calcuscribe - Calcuscribe Duo98 Cervantes Boulevard, Suite 1San Francisco, CA 94123415-923-1024 www.calcuscribe.com

ManufacturersDon Johnston, Inc. - Co:writer, Write:Outloud; Draft:Builder

26799 West Commerce DriveVolo, IL 60073800-999-4660 www.donjohnston.com

Inspiration Software, Inc. - Inspiration/Kidspiration7412 SW Beaverton Hillsdale HighwayPortland OR 97225800-877-4292 www.inspiration.com

IntelliTools, Inc. - IntelliTalk 31720 Corporate CirclePetaluma, CA 94954800-899-6687 www.intellitools.com

Onion Mountain Technology, Inc. - various low tech items74 Sexton Hollow RoadCanton, CT 06019860-693-2683 www.onionmountaintech.com

Perfect Solutions - Laser PC610763 Versailles Blvd.Wellington, FL. 33467-8091800-726-7086 www.perfectsolutions.com

ManufacturersPremier Assisitve Technology, Inc. - Accessibility Suite

1309 N. William St.  Joliet, IL   60435      815-722-5961 www.readingmadeeasy.com

QuickPad Technology Corp. - Quickpad IR620-B Clyde AvenueMountain View, CA 94043800-373-8181 www.quickpad.com

QuillSoft Ltd. - WordQ2416 Queen Street East.

Toronto, Ontario M1N 1A2 CANADA1-866-629-6737 www.wordq.com

Spark-Space, Ltd. - Spark-Space23-24 Margaret StreetLondon, W1W 9RU United Kingdom011 44 870 240 3198 www.spark-space.com

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.