#LDchat Archive
Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
Wednesday March 16, 2016
Welcome to today’s LD Chat! Today, we’ll be talking about Assistive Tech and Writing.
This is Dan with the Understood team. I'll be moderating the chat with .
I’m happy to be co-hosting today with AT consultant and Understood expert Jamie Martin ().
Hello Everyone! Checking in from to participate today!
I’m Jamie, consultant & “AT Guy” - cohosting from Connecticut :).
Excited to be part of today’s ! Looking forward to everyone’s insights as we discuss & Writing!
Hi all! I'm Amanda, I'm also with the team. I'm a writer, an expert, a mom and an fan. :)
Hi Kristen! Thanks for joining!
Hi I am Carol from Virginia- just trying out my first chat
Honored that you are joining us today, Amanda! https://t.co/0hMKYgnUi8
Hi all! I'm Amanda, I'm also with the team. I'm a writer, an expert, a mom and an fan. :)
Welcome, Virginia! So great to have you.
Welcome, Carol! You’ve picked a good one for your first chat! https://t.co/sqpEukrw7G
Hi I am Carol from Virginia- just trying out my first chat
We’ll use a Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers.
Q1: What specific learning and attention issues make writing difficult for kids (and adults!)?
A1: can have profound negative effects on writing - both spelling (encoding) and proofreading (decoding) can be difficult.
Emily from southeastern CT
A1: (1/2) Certainly dyslexia, but also depends on how you define "writing." Dysgraphia, nonverbal learning disability, etc.
A1: (2/2) ...can affect organizational and physical aspects of writing.
Hi . Joining for about half the chat. Kerri, blogger, , visual memory/learning issues, maple caramel decaf iced coffee in hand!
Hi!! So glad to be joining in for a bit
before my next student arrives...Sherri from Texas, Dyslexia Therapist
A1: Other LDs and disorders like and can make writing by hand difficult. Keyboards often help.
Ooh,maple caramel. Maine & Canada have lots in common. :) Good to "see" you, Kerri.
A1. EF issues and/or ADHD can make the planning for work process difficult!
I KNOW! I asked what flavours they had and she said maple caramel and i was like YES. THAT. JUST THAT FOREvER.
A1: can make writing difficult, too, especially essays & reports. Lack of focus and executive function issues are roadblocks.
A1: I agree with --Dyslexia can make writing a challenge. Also Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia and Speech and Language issues.
Hi - Amy from MD, work as in AT for FCPS. Joining for part of chat
A1 Organizing ideas, word retrieval and word choice.
A1. Usually the writing part isn’t the issue, it’s the first sentence. ;)
. It's so cool the FCPS has an consultant. That needs to be more widespread.
A1) ADD & ADHD could make learning difficult in classrooms such as my primary (1st grade) class
Yes, initiating the writing can be a big hurdle to get over! Enjoyed your recent blog, Kerri! https://t.co/fbmD9DReT4
A1. Usually the writing part isn’t the issue, it’s the first sentence. ;)
We have an Augmentative Comm & Tech team consisting of 6 team leaders & 4 support staff.
A1. I also find editing a lot worse than writing. at can attest to my editing dramas ;)
Thank you!!! Appreciate hearing that! :]
Any specific tools for editing or proofreading? My son is in grade 5 and has and + his own iPad
Q2: How does assistive technology make writing easier for people with learning and attention issues?
FWIW, , at can attest to many of our editing dramas. ;) Mine included, too.
Yes! We’ll get to those a little later in the hour! https://t.co/kzIixph7rS
Any specific tools for editing or proofreading? My son is in grade 5 and has and + his own iPad
A2: AT allows people w/ learning & attention issues to put more focus on the content of their writing, less focus on the mechanics.
A2: Write quicker with speech-to-text features
A2: My son uses AT to mind map before he writes. It's such a help to him.
A2: AT provides access and allows for completion of the task. Speech to Text, Computer have a place in the "real world" too
A2. I find apps like Hemingway and FocusWriter have been helpful for me.
A2) I think assistive tech appeals to learners of all styles and abilities because it's interesting to them
I’ve just learned about Hemingway - interesting AT tool! https://t.co/sDV6C1LXo8
A2. I find apps like Hemingway and FocusWriter have been helpful for me.
Andrew is like 100% THE perfect person for his job though, haha. :]
A2: Spelling supports like dictation & word prediction remove writing obstacles for students with . https://t.co/iD0ZNerA64
A2: Online graphic organizers along with speech-to-text can be powerful for kids with OT needs
A2: AT also allows teachers to look at content & thoughts vs. mechanics. And if that's the assignment, that's impt.
It’s super imperfect but it does help me find super long sentences that are super unnecessary to be such. :D
A2: Keyboarding & dictation technology can help compensate for motor difficulties - people w/ don’t have to use pencils.
He's trying a bunch of them. He also has yet to find the right one. But it's a start. (He's in middle school).
A2: use of mindmaps before writing to decrease the need to remember everything as they are writing. text to speech for proofreading
A2. Keyboarding can be part of school-based OT
A2: Speech-to-text was big for me in grad class last year so I could dictate long hours of notes. Finding right tool is key
Used inspiration back when I was his age [aka 10 years ago now] cause it was on school comps. Still best one I’ve seen.
A2 Online Thesaurus can be helpful.
We love Inspiration & Kidspiration in FCPS. Looking for additional web-based options, too
Completely agree! will take you through the entire writing process! https://t.co/PEE0oCf7fq
Used inspiration back when I was his age [aka 10 years ago now] cause it was on school comps. Still best one I’ve seen.
Yes! And Kidspiration has helped out kids write about math with their VM section
Oh, I may have to try Kidspiration w/my younger son. Thank you! I didn't know about it.
Make sure it’s Kidspiration Maps for iPad - desktop version is out of date :(.
Also good to know, thank you.
For papers in university I always did low-tech paper outlines but threw my thesis statement down on paper almost first.
Also always used EasyBib/NoodleTools/CitationMachine for references. Too many things to keep track of.
A2 Always look up word and ensure proper context.
Q3: What specific AT tools can help students brainstorm & organize their thoughts for a long piece of writing (an essay or report)?
CitationMachine was my favourite I think, but maybe cause it was called Son of Citation Machine and made me laugh thinking of robots
For all of my books, I've done a low-tech paper outline before typing up for publisher submission. I felt more connected.
EasyBib has a great Google Docs Add-on - helps you create Works Cited page right in your Google Doc! https://t.co/3f7KUAv9V2
Also always used EasyBib/NoodleTools/CitationMachine for references. Too many things to keep track of.
Apparently I was partly answering Q3 early :D
A3: My first recommendation for brainstorming & organizing is to use electronic graphic organizers. https://t.co/6PxZUzKOjZ
OH WHAT. WHERE WAS THIS ALL MY UNIVErSITY PAPERS?!!? :D
A3: For younger kids, Clicker 7 has new tools for creating audio notes & mind maps - great for pre-writing. https://t.co/H2xkgdWHJI
A3. Seriously, always went with paper. Sometimes would scan it into Evernote though too.
I'm loving Google Drive's new text-to-speech extension. https://t.co/fsxB38acU9
EasyBib has a great Google Docs Add-on - helps you create Works Cited page right in your Google Doc! https://t.co/3f7KUAv9V2
Also always used EasyBib/NoodleTools/CitationMachine for references. Too many things to keep track of.
A3: Also love Rapid Fire feature in Inspiration software for brainstorming
A3. I also would occasionally start notebooks for research articles and citations. Made it easier to re-find.
And Voice Typing, too! :)
Excellent brainstorming tool!Rapid Fire also works in Inspiration Maps for iPad (but not Kidspiration Maps). https://t.co/8oHvURI54F
A3: Also love Rapid Fire feature in Inspiration software for brainstorming
A3: Creating an instant word bank in Co:Writer 7 is great for a student who has difficulty generating ideas. https://t.co/x2XG4oDhW3
Hi New to twitter and wanted to see how this chat was.
Always wished they'd add it to Kidspiration, too. One of my only gripes with it
A3: Mindmapping is helpful-- Kidspiration, Lucidchart
Pencil and paper---large paper, group work for this task
A1: Working memory challenges make it very difficult for students to write
Me, too. Younger kids brainstorm, too, don’t they?
This is good to know. And maybe will solve my problem of never finishing my longer intentions! :D
Alright . My lunch buddy is almost here :]. Enjoy the rest of the chat/rest of your day! <3
New research showing instant feedback on writing drives scores for LBLD 20% higher
A3: ability to switch between mindmap and outline in inspiration see relationship between topics and details
Speaks to the value of the synchronous use of Insert Comments in Google Docs. https://t.co/WnodnRZWDD
New research showing instant feedback on writing drives scores for LBLD 20% higher
A1: Conversation language vs Academic language knowledge makes it difficult for students to write in a school setting
That's a really excellent point. Especially in the age of texting, emojis, etc.
This is why holding daily student/teacher conferences is so important! https://t.co/UIa17ZplCV
New research showing instant feedback on writing drives scores for LBLD 20% higher
Q4: What specific AT tools can help students with spelling and grammar while writing?
A4: Built-in tools of iOS & Android keyboards (dictation & word prediction) help tremendously w/ spelling. https://t.co/LxZ9an3Ley
Q4: We love Read/Write Extension or Co:writer for word prediction
We have heated debates over word prediction here -
A3: At DVFS some students use Apple txt-to-spch, Google txt-to-spch & for our visual thinkers: Inspiration https://t.co/XCEOLoDw9N
Q3: What specific AT tools can help students brainstorm & organize their thoughts for a long piece of writing (an essay or report)?
Q4: Yes! the Read/Write Google Extention - Love it!
A4: My low-tech answer is the red squiggly line that MS Word and Google Docs provides is invaluable.
Have you ever tried the WordQ Chrome app? It provides usage examples for prediction choices.
Yes, but it’s not so good with homonyms :). https://t.co/NFdS2Rn5Zw
A4: My low-tech answer is the red squiggly line that MS Word and Google Docs provides is invaluable.
Not yet - we just started dabbling in paid apps for Chrome a few months ago. It's on our list for sure! :)
I once texted "okey dokey" to my husband and it corrected to "coke donkey." Agreed,
This is true. What program or extension is? (serious question)
I’ll add that one to my running list of dictation and auto-correct errors! https://t.co/Nh5dE8YmV3
I once texted "okey dokey" to my husband and it corrected to "coke donkey." Agreed,
A2: Dictation helps our Ss get their ideas out of their head & written and then word processing helps with editing
I’ll give a couple options in a few minutes :).
A4: A lesser known (but very good) word prediction app for iPad is called Spell Better. Check it out: https://t.co/U0FexB2ftr
A4: is helpful for catching mistakes in your writing.
A4: Some of our kids like third party keyboard apps on iPads for word prediction & better visual display
Love Spell Better app - we've splurged & purchased paid version.
A2: Audionote helps our Ss take great notes which they can use to support their academic writing
Yes, third-party keyboards are great, and the new one in Co:Writer Universal for iOS is among the best. https://t.co/Jtj0x6Br6G
A4: Some of our kids like third party keyboard apps on iPads for word prediction & better visual display
Glad to see this topic covered with . Too many schools have Ss dictate to an adult.
A4: agree visual display very important. .
Q5: What specific AT tools can help with the process of proofreading and editing?
Thanks for awesome chat - have to head out to a school. :)
A5: Text-to-speech should be the first proofreading & editing tech used - it’s a reading AND writing tool! https://t.co/TeO9yPOI6E
Thanks for joining. Have a great rest of the day!
A5: Contextual spell & grammar checkers, like & , are better than built-in tools of most word processors.
These WILL catch homonym errors :). https://t.co/XIsHCLgERe
A5: Contextual spell & grammar checkers, like & , are better than built-in tools of most word processors.
A2: Google Docs great tool for teachers to monitor Ss writing and to provide direct feedback in the document Ss love it
Agree Ss needs more than dictate (1 dimensional). Ideas are multi-dimensional https://t.co/ytqU72hvsu
Glad to see this topic covered with . Too many schools have Ss dictate to an adult.
A5: can help with this skill, too. Also, low tech, using Word's red squiggle as said
A5: Interesting feature of ’s Voice Dream WRITER is auditory proofreading (in Audio Settings). https://t.co/psQNjAYyY5
There's more to writing than correct spelling and grammar.
I have to head out. Thanks to everybody for such an illuminating chat! I've learned so much.
Unfortunately, spelling & grammar greet a reader at the front door. A writer needs to make a good first impression :).
Q6: Are there situations where you would NOT want students using AT for writing? If so, how do you create a balance?
A6: In a remedial setting, handwriting can still be an important part of learning phonics & spelling. https://t.co/M0DSFNCsWV
A6: I like students to use AT bc I think it helps prepare them for life outside of school. https://t.co/oZEtWwSLdg
Q6: Are there situations where you would NOT want students using AT for writing? If so, how do you create a balance?
A6: Sometimes, “old school” is preferred - finding a balance between AT & non-AT takes planning & identifying the GOALS of lessons.
A6 When learning a foreign language especially with a foreign script it's important to write it out.
A6: If the goal is to learn how to spell words with a silent-e syllable, don’t use AT. If it’s to write a thoughtful essay, use it.
A6: however if they can't use AT during testing, then I like to practice without it to help prepare. (HATE to mention testing)
A6: To start a project, I find I'm more creative when I have a pen in my hand. Second drafts are for Tech.
A6.I believe there's research that shows a more effective way to study/ retain new information is to rewrite notes by hand
Testing Accommodations - sounds like another engaging topic for ! https://t.co/IaC7lxVZoc
A6: however if they can't use AT during testing, then I like to practice without it to help prepare. (HATE to mention testing)
