1. Adding Assistive Technology to the Writing Toolkit Christine Tonge christonge@livingstonesa.org Special Needs Continuum

2. Agenda The assistive technology writing continuum A technology supported strategy to assist struggling students Implementation at Southeast

3. Struggling Writer Characteristics Struggle with: Handwriting/mechanics Adding detail Word choice Identifying errors Correcting errors Fluency

4. Low Tech Tools Involve no electricity Simplest and most often the least expensive tech tools Help to write faster, more legibly and accurately on paper Writing guide Slantboard Pencils and grips

5. Mid Tech Tools Small, hand held, and portable Generally involve battery power Used for short answer, longer written work, and spelling support Portable keyboard Franklin children’s talking dictionary Label maker

6. High Tech Tools Require access to electricity Talking word processors Word prediction software Mapping software Text reader software Voice recognition software Scanning software Mini laptop computers Text reader software

7. Adding Technology Educators have recognized the advantage of using technology Neater and more accurate product Text to speech support Improved independence Successful alternative pencil that allows the student to show knowledge of the curriculum

8. Special Needs Students and Computers Special needs students are often computer savvy Computers can present a mixture of visual, auditory and kinesthetic modes of learning Computers are impersonal so students can learn without the added distraction of interpersonal relations.

9. Adobe Acrobat 9 Professional Supports scanning of paper curriculum materials into electronic format Saves the document as PDF Creates interactive forms Typewriter feature Text boxes Read aloud feature

10. Southeast Elementary Info One Acrobat license installed at SE Classroom 116 Created PDF documents can be opened on any computer with Adobe Reader software Accessible curriculum materials can be saved to the ‘Shared’ drive (S)

11. How Do You Learn More? Southeast Elementary staff Karen Helsper Karen Keaton Suzanne Manninen Donna Pompilius Andi Syrett Molly Voly Schedule a training with Chris Tonge christonge@livingstonesa.org

12. www.livingstonesa.org

13. Freeware for Home Use