Writing
Motor aspects of writing is the ability to utilize a writing utensil and create words and sentences on a page. Handwriting can be a major issue for a student if they have difficultly forming the letters or its illegible. When evaluating handwriting teachers are looking for speed and its eligibility. The writing has to legible and done in a timely manner. The student should be focusing on the content rather then the handwriting.
Dysgraphia: is a condition that causes trouble with written expression. It can be difficult to just hold a pencil and organizing letters on a line Their handwriting tends to be messy. Many students with dysgraphia struggle with spelling and putting thoughts on paper.
Dysgraphia: is a condition that causes trouble with written expression. It can be difficult to just hold a pencil and organizing letters on a line Their handwriting tends to be messy. Many students with dysgraphia struggle with spelling and putting thoughts on paper.
Low Technology Writing Tools
Tool 1: A pencil grip or grotto grip is a perfect example of low technology writing tool. Some students have difficulty gripping a pen or pencil and the grip can be an easy solution to help the student with holding the pencil correctly. It can be a cheap and easy way to help a student hold the pencil or paper correctly and write. Sometimes additional tools may be needed to aid the student with writing. A pencil is a good place to start if the student has difficulty with holding a pencil. You can but them in most stores or online and it cuts down on hand fatigue and can improve legibility and speed.
Tool 2: Portable desks/ stands is another example of a low technology tool. Portable desks can provide a stable writing surface for students in different writing positions. It has a slanted surface and provides a space a student can put their work. It helps students who need the material right in front of them and needs to be able to write in various positions and places around the room. It allows the person to put their organizer, instruction sheet or reading material on the platform and write on the slanted board. It is relatively cheap and does not require any training to use.
Medium Technology Tools
Tool 1: Portable Word Processor is a great example of a medium technology device. A portable word Processor allows the student to look up how to spell and pronounce words. This is a great tool to use if a student struggles with spelling and writing letters. The portable word processor has an automatic phonetic spell corrector and an animated handwriting guide which provides models of both print and cursive letters.
Tool 2: Pulse Pen and Paper is another example of a medium technology device. The pulse pen is equipped with a removable ball-point ink cartridge, a microphone to record audio, a speaker for playback, a small OLED display, an infra-red camera, and internal flash memory that captures handwritten notes, audio and drawings.The user can choose to record audio in addition to the handwritten text. The user then can send the audio and handwritten files to the teacher. It does require some time or training to get use to the device and learn about all it has to offer.
High Technology Tools
Tool 1: Voice recognition software is a great tool to use for students who have difficulty writing or cannot write at all. It allows the user to speak into a microphone( most laptops and tablets have one built in) and the computer types it for the student. There are multiple companies that have created speech to text software. This software does require training and a platform (computer or tablet) to use it on. This is a very expensive tool and is advanced. Most people will require training and it will be a little bit of an adjustment.
Tool 2: A customized keyboard can be a very helpful for a student who is not able to type on a standard keyboard, or maybe cannot type out individual letters to form words. Using a customized keyboard gives the user the ability to create their own layout, he or she can put full word or sentences on one key on order to write what they would like to say. It also allows the user to arrange the letters in a better position for the user. They can put high frequency words in a spot they can easily reach and use. This technology is available in many forms. The easiest way to get this software is by getting an app on a tablet. There are multiple versions of the app. The app will require a lot of training and time to get use to using.
Resources/ Links
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dysgraphia/understanding-dysgraphia
Dell, Amy G., Newton, Deborah A., Petroff, Jerry G., (2012) Assistive Technology in the Classroom.
http://www.ldonline.org/article/6202
Dell, Amy G., Newton, Deborah A., Petroff, Jerry G., (2012) Assistive Technology in the Classroom.
http://www.ldonline.org/article/6202