Supporting Students Writing Development

Educational technologies that support the development of students' writing skills include:

Word processing

Word processing applications such as Word allow students to write and edit their work more easily. Changes can be made to the text quickly and there is a spell checker option to help with spelling. Student will need mouse skills and keyboard skills and also have some knowledge of saving and opening files. Add ons such as text to speech also allows the student to hear the text read back to them.

Word processing applications which provide a greater level of help with spelling, grammar and punctuation include

Ghotit

Ghotit is a spell check with audio. The student can hear the word suggestions and listen to a definition. Its not a free application and requires internet access to work but the audio option makes it worthwhile.

Ghotit once downloaded works inside Word, it can be accessed by clicking on the Ghotit icon which will be added the toolbar.

http://www.ghotit.com/home.shtml

Word Talk

WordTalk is a free plug-in developed for use with all versions of Microsoft Word (from Word 97 upwards), which can help people with reading difficulties use Microsoft Word more effectively. It will speak the text of the document and will highlight it as it goes. It contains a talking dictionary to help decide which word spelling is most appropriate. It sits neatly in your toolbar and is highly configurable, allowing you to adjust the highlight colours, the voice and the speed of the speech.

http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Home/