ICT and Writing

Laura Cryer

Learning and Physical Difficulties

Support Teacher

Support, Teaching and Educational Psychology Service

Raising the Attainment of Pupils with Writing Difficulties in the Primary School.

Friday 2nd March 2001

ICT as a Tool for Inclusion

“the Government is committed to promoting the inclusion of pupils

with special educational needs in mainstream school……………with the right strategies and support the vast majority of a child’s individual needs can be met in either a mainstream or specialist setting”

Barriers to accessComputer software can easily exclude a wide

number of potential users by having screen layouts that contain:

too large text blocks to read at one time too long sentences too small or inappropriate font too many icons for pull down menus unsuitable colour combinations of foreground or

background superimposition of text on shadowy background images too many distracting frames on the screen

ICT as the medium of instruction

flexible (programmable)

multimedia (multisensory)

mimics “traditional” activities

can record and analyse responses

can give learner greater control

Excellence for all children, Meeting Special Educational Needs

By 2002 there will be more effective and widespread use of ICT.

New developments in ICT will be used as appropriate

ICT will be used to share information and facilitate staff training

Access to Learning

ICT can increase access to every subject, no matter what level of ability the learner may have.

Advantages of ICT for writing

presentation not affected by handwriting re-drafting without complete re-writing errors can be corrected without trace “supported” spelling and word-finding speed and fluency can be improved

Disadvantages of ICT for writing may not lead to improved handwriting may not lead to improved spelling needs careful training and preparation must be available at the right time and place not always accepted as an equivalent skill

Enabling access to writing Spelling/grammar support word prediction/word banks audible text/speech recognition prepared/cloze texts overlay keyboard/onscreen grid

The Reluctant WriterThe writer may be overwhelmed by the blank page. The writing may be short, simplistic. It may be disorganised, rambling.

What support can ICT offer?

•Planning - Inspirations, Wordworks,Thinksheet

•Writing Frames - Clip Art, Clicker, Word Bar

•Talking word processors

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Software to support keyboard skills First keys to Literacy (Widget) Speedy Keys (Semerc) Type to Learn (Iona) THRASSIT KAZ Typing Tutor First Keys (Semerc) Touch Type for Windows (Inclusive Technology)

Software to support writing and prediction skills

Granada Writer - Primary Tools (Semerc) TextHELP! (Read and Write (for Windows) Write Outloud (Don Johnston) Talking Write Away (Black Cat) Talking First Word (REM) Clicker 4 (Crick Software) Word Bar (Crick) Ready for Writing (Semerc) I Can Write (Resource) Writing with Symbols (Widget) Inclusive Writer(Inclusive Technology) Talking Pendown

Semerc – Ready for Writing

Clicker grids

Talking word processors