Composing Written Material
In order for students to be successful in school, they have to be able to write. If student aren't able to write, they won't be able to express themselves on paper and will struggle throughout the rest of their schooling. Every core subject requires a basic underdstanding of writing, not to mention outside of school. Writing is something that everyone needs in order to be successful in eeveryday life and society. As with other subjects, writing may come across easy for some, but difficult for others. Students with learning diabilities can become overwhelmed for numerous reasons. Students with language and learning diabilities (LLD) may have a diffiuclt time articulating planning. Some of these students know what they wnat to say, but don't grasp the understanding on why it is important to plan/brainstorm. Ohter students with learning disabilities have a difficult time spelling. Therefore, when words are spelled wrong they aren't aware of it. Other students struggle with writing because they have fine motor skills, which makes it difficult for them to hold writing utencils. There are many other problems students face when writing is concerned and there are five steps of writing that is critical for all students to have, not just students with writing disabilities.
Five Writing Strategies
· Prewriting: also known as brainstorming, is the first step to writing. Prewriting allows the students to generate and get their ideas together in an organized manner.
· Drafting: is the secod step to writing. Drafting allows students to develop their ideas and generating main ideas into snetences.
· Reviewing: is the third step to writing. Reviewing allows students to reread what they have written.
· Editing: is the fourth step of writing. Editing requires students to look over their drafts and fix any spellling or grammar errors.
· Sharing or Publishing: is the fifth and final step to writing. Sharing or Publishing gives student the opportunity to share their final draft with others besdides the teacher.
· Drafting: is the secod step to writing. Drafting allows students to develop their ideas and generating main ideas into snetences.
· Reviewing: is the third step to writing. Reviewing allows students to reread what they have written.
· Editing: is the fourth step of writing. Editing requires students to look over their drafts and fix any spellling or grammar errors.
· Sharing or Publishing: is the fifth and final step to writing. Sharing or Publishing gives student the opportunity to share their final draft with others besdides the teacher.
Low Tech
- Graphic Organizers help students organize their thoughts and main ideas.
- Modeling clay, foam, or pencil grips are used to help student hold a writing utencil, so they can help control the writingutencil.
- Raised Lined or Bold Lined Paper helps students stay on the lines when writing.
- Modeling clay, foam, or pencil grips are used to help student hold a writing utencil, so they can help control the writingutencil.
- Raised Lined or Bold Lined Paper helps students stay on the lines when writing.
Mid Tech
- Portable Word Processors: such as the Neo 2, are electronic based devices that have a full-sized keyboard so students have the ability to write down their notes so it's legible for them to read. The Neo 2 is light and includes basic editing commands, thesaurus and spell checker, and Spanish-English word lookup. The Neo 2 cam be hooked up to a printer so the student can print out the notes the have taken.
- SmartPens: such as the Pulse Pen and Echo Pen, are pen-sized computers that captures handwriting and recordings. The SmartPen is used on special "Dot" paper, so the pen can recognize the handwriting. The Pen can take pictures and helps the students see their accuracy of their notes. The SmartPen can be connected to a computer, so their notes can be uploaded.
- Braille Note Takers: such as the Braille Note, is used by students who are blind. The Braille Note is a device that has adaptive inputs and outputs, so students can decide what one they like better. Some students use the device that has a Braille keyboard, opposed to other students who prefer the regular one. The Braille Note can be connected to a computer, printer, or a Braille printer to download and print their notes.
- SmartPens: such as the Pulse Pen and Echo Pen, are pen-sized computers that captures handwriting and recordings. The SmartPen is used on special "Dot" paper, so the pen can recognize the handwriting. The Pen can take pictures and helps the students see their accuracy of their notes. The SmartPen can be connected to a computer, so their notes can be uploaded.
- Braille Note Takers: such as the Braille Note, is used by students who are blind. The Braille Note is a device that has adaptive inputs and outputs, so students can decide what one they like better. Some students use the device that has a Braille keyboard, opposed to other students who prefer the regular one. The Braille Note can be connected to a computer, printer, or a Braille printer to download and print their notes.
High Tech
- Word Prediction Applications: such as the WriteOnline (Crick Software), is a talking word processing and word prediction program that is Web based. The word prediction feature makes a guess on a word that the student is or going to type. The Word Prediction feature on t eWriteOnline (crick Software) also provides support for grammar. These types of software applications are useful for students because they have support write at their fingertips.
- Word Processing Applications: such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs, allows students to edit their work in a more organized manner. These word processing application software helps students write clear and legible without having tears in the paper from erasing or crossing out.
- Speech Applications: such as Dragon Naturally/Speaking, enables students to input their words into the computer that is hooked up to a microphone. The speech recognition application software avoids the keyboard, so students who have a difficult time with their handwriting, only has to speak into the microphone. This software doesn't resolve the writing struggle completely because the students don't have to physically write, however it does help them when they have to submit final work in to the teacher, so the work is legible.
- Word Processing Applications: such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs, allows students to edit their work in a more organized manner. These word processing application software helps students write clear and legible without having tears in the paper from erasing or crossing out.
- Speech Applications: such as Dragon Naturally/Speaking, enables students to input their words into the computer that is hooked up to a microphone. The speech recognition application software avoids the keyboard, so students who have a difficult time with their handwriting, only has to speak into the microphone. This software doesn't resolve the writing struggle completely because the students don't have to physically write, however it does help them when they have to submit final work in to the teacher, so the work is legible.
Resources
Dell, Amy G., Deborah A. Newton, and Jerry G. Petroff. Assistive Technology
in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with
Disabilities. Boston: Pearson, 2012. Print. 23- 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36-37, 46-48.
in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with
Disabilities. Boston: Pearson, 2012. Print. 23- 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36-37, 46-48.