I Have a writing difficulty, what can help?

Overview

1. Introduction
2. Helping to improve handwriting
3. Some ways technology can help with writing
4. Posters and Infographics
5. Getting with Technology - making the most of your keyboard
6. Different types of keyboards
7. Touchscreen devices and on-screen keyboards
8. Technology
9. Writing Technology Checklist for learners with dyslexia

10. Using Microsoft Word to support writing - video guides
11. iPad Short Video Guides to Support Reading and Writing
12. Chromebook Video Guides to Support Writing
13. Specialist tools and writing
14. Spell Checking
15. Help with planning and organisation - Mind Mapping software
16. Using Audio to help with Writing and Notetaking
17. Useful Resources

Helping to improve handwriting

If you find handwriting painful, or you struggle to hold a pencil or pen, there are some 'low-tech' tools that might help.

• Try using a different size or style of pencil/pen or even using a foam or plastic pen grip.
• Try using a writing slope or changing your positioning, size of chair, table, and room lighting, as they can all help to make a difference.

If you have tried the suggestions but still require help, then it is time to consider how technology can help.

Some ways technology can help with writing

• Writing on a computer or other device is often neater and more legible than handwriting.
• Using a spellchecker, Autocorrect and Word Prediction will improve spelling.
• Making some adjustments such as font styles, font and background colours can make it easier to see what you are writing.
• Dictating to the computer (voice typing) with Speech Recognition can help to quickly get your ideas and thoughts down on paper.
• Learning to touch type can help you to type more effectively, quicker and accurately.

Case Study

Read this case study - a true story of a dyslexic learner's journey from primary to Nat 5

Getting with Technology - making the most of your keyboard

Although dictating (voice typing) is becoming more popular, the keyboard is still the primary way of interacting with and inputting information into a computer, whether it is a physical keyboard, an on-screen keyboard or both.

Learning to be proficient with a keyboard is an invaluable skill and can help to:

• Increase typing speed and improve accuracy thereby increasing the amount of writing work.
• Produce tidier work.
• Improve dexterity (learning finger movements and positions).
• Provide a level playing field for all pupils.
• Give a skill for life.

Getting to know where all the keys are on the keyboard can help to increase your typing speed and improve accuracy.

Touch typing programs include:

• Doorway Online
• BBC Dance Mat Typing
• Nessy Fingers
• Rapid Typing

The keyboard can also be a barrier - characters on standard keyboards are in 'uppercase' which can be confusing, particularly for younger children who are learning lowercase letters and words.

A lowercase keyboard with larger colourful keys can be a helpful alternative. In the illustration below, the keys are grouped into numbers, vowels, and constants by colour.

Different types of keyboards

The standard keyboard does not suit everyone and it is relatively easy and inexpensive to make it more 'dyslexia friendly' by making some basic adjustments, adding an accessory, or using an alternative keyboard.

For example:

• Keyboard mount or riser to aid hand and head positioning?
• Keyboard Accessories such as lowercase and alphabet keyboard stickers, lowercase and contrast colours.
• Alternative keyboards - small, large
• On-screen keyboard i.e., if a physical keyboard is unsuitable, try an on-screen keyboard - most devices include a built-in on-screen keyboard;
• Windows
• iPad
• Chromebook

Touchscreen devices and on-screen keyboards

iPad on-screen keyboards

As well as the default iOS on-screen keyboard, 3rd party keyboards can be downloaded and installed on the iPad.

On-screen keyboards such as Keedogo offer enhanced features and tools such as a simplified layout, colour themes, ABC or QWERTY layouts and word prediction.

Windows on-screen keyboards

Windows also has a choice of two on-screen keyboards; Windows on-screen keyboard and Windows Touch. A benefit of Windows On-screen keyboard is 'Text Prediction' which can help increase typing speed and accuracy.

To activate Windows Touch go to Settings > Personalisation > Text Input - there are options to choose a keyboard theme or create your own, e.g., a yellow/black coloured contrast keyboard.

Using Microsoft Word to support writing - video guides

Microsoft Word is a popular word-processing program, that is used extensively by schools across Scotland (via Glow) available as an app or online via a web browser.

CALL has created a series of short video tutorials on using Word to Support Literacy. The videos below explain how to use the built-in 'Show Text Suggestions as I type' and 'Using Dictate to speak text' - great tools that are readily available in Word to support writing.

1. Show Text Suggestions as I type (only available in Windows)
   
   
2. Using 'Dictate' to speak text (voice typing)
   
   

See the full playlist of videos - many of these tools are also available in Word Online for iPad and Chromebook via the browser.

Specialist tools and writing

As well as freely available built-in tools, specialist software/apps provide a more targeted approach. Examples include:

Clicker Writer

Clicker Writer is available for Windows, iPad and Chromebook and offers numerous tools such as word prediction, word banks, text-to-speech and more. Clicker Writer is aimed at primary school pupils, whereas DocsPlus is geared towards secondary pupils and older learners with literacy difficulties.

Word prediction

Word prediction software predicts words in context as you write (after the first or second keypress). Word prediction aids spelling accuracy and can increase typing speed. To find out more read the Guide to Word Prediction.

Examples of specialist word prediction programs/apps include:

WordQ is available for Windows, Chromebook and iPad.

Ghotit is available for Windows and iPad.

The benefit of word prediction to support learners with writing difficulties - and illustrated guide.

All-in-one literacy support toolbars

All-in-one literacy support tools tend to take the form of a 'floating toolbar' which sits on the desktop and includes a range of tools such as text-to-speech, word prediction, spelling corrections, talking dictionaries and voice typing.

Texthelp Read&Write

ClarorRead

Gohtit

Help with planning and organisation - Mind Mapping software

Mind mapping programs help you to organise your ideas visually.

Read this illustrated article on Mind Mapping.

Features of mind mapping software include:

• Idea bubbles and branches to capture and structure your thoughts.
• Image bank to supplement the text.
• Spell-checking support.
• Text or sticky notes to expand your ideas.
• Text-to-speech.
• Links to websites or files.
• Options to export to Word or PowerPoint.

Useful Resources

CALL has a wealth of resources with hints and tips to improve writing.

Posters and infographs

Books and reports, e.g., A Guide to word prediction and Making the Most of Microsoft Word

Professional Learning courses - with a focus on technology and dyslexia

Interesting illustrated blog articles that cover different devices and apps.