ICT and Writing Laura Cryer Learning and Physical Difficulties Raising the Attainment of Pupils with Writing Difficulties in the Primary School. Friday 2nd March 2001 ICT and Writing Laura Cryer Learning and Physical Difficulties Support Teacher Support, Teaching and Educational Psychology Service

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 access Computer 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 Giving younger pupils and those with learning difficulties the freedom away from basic motor skills needed in writing enables them to discover that writing can mean more than the daily battle with pen and paper. They are then free to express their ideas which can become a story which is valued and their words can become “important looking print” Writing onto a word processor removes the necessity of ‘copying into best’ The word processor produces easily readable material - the cild can improve fluency in reading by reading their own material. Enable children to work collaboratively learning from each other It is the letter formation, pencil control, hand-eye coordination and sequencing that create the greatest difficulties for some pupils - the word processor can help to remove these blocks to learning

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 hand eye skills are still required and a loack of keyboard awareness often means that this method of supporting learing is abandoned through the pupil's frustration at being unable to access the keyboard and so communicate effectively.

Enabling access to writing Spelling/grammar support word prediction/word banks audible text/speech recognition prepared/cloze texts overlay keyboard/onscreen grid spellcheckers are often build in unknown words are highlighted and by clicking on a box on-screen the pupil is able to call up the list of suggestions. Spell checkers can provide help to the poor speller by highlighting badly spelled words However spell checkers are unable to distinguish between synonyms Word banks and Word Lists - this facility allows sets of words or phrase to be produced to aid pupils in generating text. they might include a list of key words, specific vocabulary related to a subject, words that the pupils frequently mis-spells, phrase for beginning a story, alternatives for phrase such as 'and then', etc etc For those who need support with organising and structuring - word lists can be presented in sequential order which can help. Word lists that come with talking word procesors are useful - they allow the user to listen to words before they are entered into their text. They can see and hear a word in the word list Research has proven that multi-sensory approaches can make a significant difference to pupil achievement and confidence.

The Reluctant Writer What support can ICT offer? The 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 Writing frames such as clicker, word bar contain structured phrases With suitable support the learner can move to editing instead of having to focus on transcription. Editing involves reviewing and evaluating, comparing what is on screen to or print out to what is in writer’s head. It is important to try to concentrate on flow of words rather than difficulties in decoding so, where there are problems - using a screen reader or talking word processor to read back the text really helps the writing process. It is worth printing out early efforts - you can mark different sections with colour, draw arrows, etc etc to work on content. It is easier to edit the surface of the text (spelling, punctuation and layout) than the meaning. If we want learners to develop their writing skills then we must encourage more than just a proof reading exercise. Where there is limited vocabulary you can use “find and replace”facility to highlight all occurrences of a word and then search for alternatives (word processors have thesaurus. You can save contrast and compare different versions of the same text

Software to support SEN

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