Writing and Reading Supports for Microsoft Word Bill Nellis, consultant Region 6 State Support Team www.sst6.org

Instruction in Reading and Writing Is Often Intertwined Both processes reinforce learning in the other. A meta-analysis on technology and writing instruction by Goldberg, Russell and Cook (2003) cited 26 studies which showed that the use of word processors increased the quantity of writing, quality of writing, and frequency of revisions during the writing processes. Technology and Teaching Children to Read, 2005 http://www.neirtec.org/reading_report/rdgreport.pdf

Providing Universal Access Computers can provide powerful scaffolds or "training wheels" for children's by allowing for flexibility in: The way information is presented The way students show what they know Engaging students in the process of reading and writing

Free for educational use Is integrated into the Word toolbar http://www.wordtalk.org.uk

It will speak the text of the document and will highlight it as it goes. It contains a talking dictionary and a text-to-mp3 converter. Instant auditory feedback in the writing process Encourages the use of novel vocabulary Students can listen for grammar errors Can cut and paste e-text into word to listen to reading assignments or create MP3 audio files

System Requirements Operating systems supported: Microsoft Windows 98; Microsoft Windows ME; Microsoft Windows 2000; Microsoft Windows XP; Microsoft Windows Vista; Microsoft Windows 7 (32 bit version and will work only with Word 2007 or 2010).

System Requirements Microsoft Office Word versions supported: Microsoft Word 97; Microsoft Word 2000; Microsoft Word 2003; Microsoft Word 2007; Microsoft Word 2010.

System Requirements Microsoft .NET Framework Version 1.1: This may already be installed on your PC. The WordTalk installer will detect if this is currently on your machine and if it not it will direct you to the Microsoft website where you can download it. However, you may wish to download our Redistributable package: Microsoft .NET Framework Version 1.1 (.exe, 22.96Mb).

Installation Installation Instructions http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Documentation /Assets/Downloads/Installation- Instructions.pdf

Word Talk Quick Guide Download the Quick Guide for using Word Talk http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Documentation /Assets/Downloads/WordTalk-Guide.pdf

Word Talk Features Cut and paste the first two paragraphs of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from www.classicbookshelf.com Use Use the cursor to highlight “ain’t” in the 1st sentence, and use the spelling button.

Saving Text as a Sound File Cut and paste a sample of text into Word Use the first paragraph from A Tale of Two Cities at Project Gutenberg http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/98 Click on the “Save to Sound File” button Choose the “Save to MP3” button

Free word prediction software Use it synchronously with Word and other programs http://www.etype.com

Completes your words, while typing Translates to your native language Prevents spelling mistakes Encourages students to use unfamiliar words and a more colorful choice of words

System Requirements It runs on PC; Windows® XP service pack 2, Vista and 7. eType is available for use both online and offline. Internet connection is needed at first download and for dictionaries update.

Installation Installation Instructions http://www.etype.com/download/

Watch a Demo Video http://www.etype.com/#

Turning on eType Use the Ctrl + F8 keys to toggle eType on and off.

Choose a Word from the Selections Use the “Space” key, to add the word followed by a space. Use the “Enter” key, to add only the word without a space.

Look Up a Word in the Dictionary To look up a word that already exists in the eType dictionary, click on the eType window and then click on the “dictionary” icon. A search box will open which you can use to search for the word you are looking for. If the eType window is closed, right click the status bar and choose “Open eType” from the menu. From there you can choose the dictionary’s languages (according to the languages you’ve set in your default settings) and view results from both eType and Wiktionary.

Accessing Settings Click on the icon in the tool tray

General Settings

Manage Dictionaries Gives students the ability to translate languages

Let Me Type Free software that can run synchronously with Word and other applications Will suggest a list of words based on your word usage Can help to speed up the writing process Can assist with spelling Can run as an application from a USB drive - http://www.rsc-ne- scotland.ac.uk/eduapps/index.php

Let Me Type http://www.clasohm.com/lmt/en/

Let Me Type Needs to store a sufficient number of words into the program before it will offer suggestions Can import a text (.txt) with content specific vocabulary which can help students with report writing For example – import Battle of the Bulge and Huckleberry Finn files

Importing Text Click on the Let Me Type icon to open the window

Importing Text Click on File and then choose Import from the drop down menu.

Importing Text Browse to find the text file that you wish to import

Bill Nellis, consultant Region 6 State Support Team 1045 Dearbaugh Avenue, Suite #1 Wapakoneta, OH 45895 419-738-9224 bnellis@sst6.org