Byron Smith Technology Specialist FDLRS Heartland Help for
Struggling Writers
Slide 3
Overview Numerous surveys of both educators and business
executives give very similar results they report that 80% of their
students or employees need improvement in writing skills which are
critical to academic and business success. FCAT writing scores show
85% of 4 th grade students are proficient, and 90% of 8 th graders
performed at a comparable level, but 10 th graders dropped to 77%
proficient (2009)
Slide 4
Potential Problem Areas Manipulating a tool Legibility
Organization of ideas Spelling Composition
Slide 5
Classroom Strategies
Slide 6
Attacking the problem Ask the right questions What specifically
does the student need to do? How well can she do it? What is she
currently using to help her? How well is it working? What specific
IEP goals must the child meet?
Slide 7
Definition of Assistive Technology Any item, piece of equipment
or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf,
modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or
improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.
(Authority 20 U.S.C. 1401(1))
Slide 8
What this means ANY tool or device that a student with a
disability uses to do a task that s/he could not otherwise do
without it. It can make the task easier, faster, or done in a
better way. The device can be as low tech as a pencil grip or as
sophisticated as a computer program or communication device.
Slide 9
Assistive technology is a tool. It will never replace good
teaching. It serves to give struggling students and those with a
disability a way to be successful with the curriculum.
Slide 10
Who benefits from Assistive Technology ? Any student with a
disability, from mild to severe Any student with reading, writing,
math, communications, vision, hearing, or motor problems ESOL
students Students with 504 plans Struggling students who do not
qualify for ESE services
Slide 11
Assistive technology, when matched correctly to a students
need, will make your job easier.
Slide 12
The FCAT Benefit AT integrated with good strategies will have
the greatest impact on students who score low on the FCAT These
students will have the greatest effect on you school scores
Slide 13
Florida allows a variety of assistive technology tools to be
used on the FCAT by students with disabilities. These tools must be
listed on the students IEP and used daily as part of instructional
strategies.
Slide 14
Range of AT Tools Low tech Easily accessible Low cost Used by
peers High tech Very task-specific Higher cost Not typically used
by peers
Slide 15
Hierarchy of Writing Accommodations Mechanics Regular pen or
pencil Pen or pencil with adapted grip Adapted paper (raised lines,
highlighted lines) Slant board Typewriter Portable note-taker with
computer interface Computer with word processing software Word
prediction / abbreviation expansion software Voice recognition
software
Slide 16
Writing- Motor Aspects Pencil grips Evo or lighted pen Magic
Rub Raised line paper Writing guides Slant boards Portable word
processor Voice recognition
Slide 17
Pencil Grip Pencil grips encourage proper hand-pencil
positioning during writing. It also provides greater comfort,
legibility, speed, and reduces hand fatigue.
Slide 18
Raised Line Paper Raised Line Paper provides a student with
visual or tactile guidelines.
Slide 19
Writing Guides A writing guide will help the student keep their
writing on the lines and produce a legible response when responding
in the FCAT answer book.
Slide 20
Slant Boards / Writing Stands Slant boards and writing stands
help make writing more comfortable and efficient by keeping the
writing surface at the optimal angle.
Slide 21
Portable Word Processors An alternative keyboard will help a
student, who cannot respond orally or who cannot produce a
handwritten response, type answers to FCAT assessment items.
Slide 22
Writing Composing Stickies Writing templates Webbing and
outline software Hand held spell checkers Word processor with
auditory feedback Word prediction software
Slide 23
Computer Access Extended or mini keyboard Track balls or
joystick mouse Switch Interface Voice recognition Word predication
or expansion On screen scanning
Slide 24
Scan and Read Software Kurzweil WYNN SOLO Read & Write Gold
Text-to-speech is an allowed accommodation
Slide 25
Picture / Symbol Text Match Matching pictures with text allows
students with minimal language skills to communicate while moving
from concrete representations (photos) to abstract representations
(symbols) to words
Slide 26
Adjustments to visual image of digital material Text size Fonts
Spacing Color Background Allowed accommodations
Slide 27
Digital Recorder Allows material from class presentations and
discussions to be accessible after class Allowed accommodation for
both presentation and response
Slide 28
Organizing/Studying High lighters Color coding system Page Tabs
Print or picture schedule Hand held scanners
Slide 29
Communication Picture symbols Voice output devices Eye gaze
frame Device with speech synthesis
Slide 30
For More Information Adapting computer preferences for writing
support (Windows XP) Adapting computer preferences for writing
support (Windows XP) Adapting common software to support writing
(MS Word) Adapting common software to support writing (MS Word)
Tools for writing support Comparing similar products For more
information on products shown as examples in illustrations, click
on images FDLRS Heartland Technology Wiki