Assessing Student's Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT)
Assessing Student's Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT)
Assessing Student's Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT)
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Chapter 3 – <strong>Assistive</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>for</strong> Writing<br />
<strong>Assistive</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>for</strong> Composing Written Materials<br />
There are a variety of tools that can help students as they compose written materials. Here is<br />
an overview.<br />
♦ Word Cards/Word Books/Word Wall<br />
The simplest tools to provide to students who struggle with producing written materials are<br />
word cards or personal word books that contain words they are familiar with and can<br />
compose with. Words can also be displayed around the classroom in Word Walls or charts<br />
that provide visual examples of words the student might need to utilize. These are commonly<br />
used in many elementary classrooms.<br />
♦ Pocket Dictionary/Thesaurus<br />
If a student is able to look up words in a dictionary or thesaurus, these can be helpful.<br />
Sometimes having one made just <strong>for</strong> the student with their “own” list of words can keep the<br />
task simple.<br />
♦ Writing Templates<br />
These may include “story starters” and other sentence builders that can help students by<br />
allowing them to fill in words or phrases to make complete sentences. Various templates can<br />
be created <strong>for</strong> main idea, supporting characters, developing plots, etc. Templates can be<br />
created of varying complexity depending upon the needs of the student. Some story writing<br />
computer programs have templates available and prompting systems to assist the student<br />
through the mechanics of writing a story (e.g., The Amazing Writing Machine ® , Storybook<br />
Weaver ® ). PixWriter and Writing with Symbols 2000 have templates <strong>for</strong> emergent writers to<br />
use to help them compose sentences.<br />
♦ Electronic Spell Checkers/Talking Spell Checkers<br />
Franklin Electronic Publishers manufactures a variety of spelling, language, and reference<br />
aids. These are small calculator-like devices that can be used to look up words, definitions,<br />
and more. The non-speaking Spelling Aces with Thesaurus are readily available at discount<br />
department stores and office supply stores. Their speaking models must be ordered directly<br />
from Franklin Electronic Publishers. Speaking Homework Wiz ® pronounces and correctly<br />
spells 40,000 words. It offers automatic spelling correction <strong>for</strong> nearly 50,000 words. It also<br />
displays the word correctly written in Zaner-Bloser cursive. It features animation that shows<br />
step by step the correct <strong>for</strong>mation of the letter right on the screen. This is a real favorite.<br />
Franklin Electronic Publishers products cover the age span offering assistance from<br />
elementary through high school and into college preparation.<br />
Many of the Franklin products are part of the Bookman ® Series that will allow you to insert a<br />
variety of Snap-in Book Cards from their library. The newest of the Bookman line is the<br />
Ultimate Reference Suite – pocket model. It offers an all – in – one reference solution<br />
including the 11 th Edition of Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Franklin Thesaurus,<br />
Concise Columbia Encyclopedia and Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations and more. It also<br />
includes a PC connectivity kit to allow <strong>for</strong> downloads from other reference or eBook titles.<br />
<strong>Assessing</strong> Students’ <strong>Needs</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Assistive</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> (2004) 91
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