Mechanics+for+Writing

Mechanics of Writing


 * What are the mechanics of writing?



When it comes to children with special needs, the mechanics of writing do not include what most people normally think of when they think "mechanics." Grammar, commas, punctuation, and capitalization are not included in this kind of mechanics. What will be covered in this page is the actual physical form and motor aspects of writing. This means the actual process of holding a pen or pencil and writing on a piece of paper or inputting material into a computer. This will commonly have an effect on a student's ability to compose written material. If a child struggles while holding a pen or pencil, or their hand easily tires because of a disability, it will become very difficult to compose written material. The best way to improve a child's writing skills is to first confront their issues with the mechanics of writing. If they are able to use a tool that will benefit them while physically writing, they will be able to write essays, poems, etc. without worrying about the hardships mechanics may cause them.

Low-Tech:

There are several tools that can help students with the mechanics of writing. These can even be the most basic, low tech tools. This can include the EzGrip, the Grip Pencil, and the Stetro Grip. This can even mean having modeling clay built around the pencil in order to build up the shaft and improve her fine motor skills. Having that little bit of extra support may assist a great deal. Disabilities that affect fine motor skills may be eliminated with the simple employment of these tools.

Computers:

There are so many tools that can assist with the mechanics of writing. Some that should be explored are lap tops. Even the most general computers now have accessibility for students with disabilities that will help them navigate their computers with more ease. For students that struggle with writing, typing may be a much simpler way for that student to input material. Most computers now have built in voice features to help students navigate through their computer.

Typing: Typing can also be difficult for students who struggle with the mechanics of writing. The following link suggests some alternative keyboards that you may want to consider for your child or student. [|Look here for different kinds of keyboards] ﻿ [|More alternative keyboards can be found here] The following video shows an alternative keyboard tool called IntelliKeys that supports writing.

 media type="youtube" key="h9hdMJmAZ5Q" height="291" width="516" align="center" Speech recognition software: When fine motor skills are too advanced to type or even write, speech recognition software should be explored.
 * Word Q is a tool that combines word prediction and speech recognition, while also providing feedback for struggling writers. This is great for a verbal learner. Talking allows students to process thoughts as well as complete assignments without taking so much time out to physically write and complete the tasks at hand. This tool will also permit students to use word prediction, but the word prediction in WordQ only uses predicted words when they are reviewed by the reader. This assistance will help students become stronger writers who will be able to stay focused without dealing with the frustrations once experienced. [|More about WordQ]


 * <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The following video is a simple demonstration on how WordQ works.

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<span style="color: #980b98; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Find out more about other softwares that are available:
 * <span style="color: #980b98; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Dragon - control the computer, all with voice]
 * <span style="color: #980b98; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Co:Writer is the pencil, applications are the paper]
 * <span style="color: #980b98; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Write Out Loud- for extra support]

<span style="color: #0b6060; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Extra Tools:

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The following are some tools that can be very fun for students to use.

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Glogster] - This is an artistic and creative way for students to express their knowledge without needing to create a poster by hand. This allows students to create interactive posters about any topic they wish. <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Voxopop- This allows students to use their voice instead of text.

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Here is an example of a Glogster poster: <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Evaluation:

<span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Students that are being considered for assistive technology in the area of mechanics of writing should be given a written productivity profile, to test if they are stronger in writing or in typing. To find out more [|click here]

<span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">According to WATI, the following must be considered for students who are being assessed for assistive technology:
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Enviornmental seating adaptations
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Variety of pens and pencils
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Adapted pen and pencil
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Writing templates
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Prewritten words and phrases
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Label maker
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Portable Word Processor
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Computer with accessibility features
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Comptuter with word processing software
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Alternative keyboard
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Computer with scanner
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Computer with word prediction
 * <span style="color: #4646e2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Computer with voice recognition

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">References:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">COMPUTER KEYBOARD DESIGN. (n.d.). //Cornell University Ergonomics Web//. Retrieved May 3, 2011, from []

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Dell], A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2008). //Assistive technology in the classroom: enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities//. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
 * Google Image Result for Glogster. (n.d.). //Google//. Retrieved May 3, 2011, from http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.andreagenevieve.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/glogster.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.andreagenevieve.com/technology-tools/tech-tool-breakdown-what-is-glogster/&usg=__6thTCgu2GxxhvEJ304ny0yU06i4=&h=685&w=480&sz=21


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">HIAT - tools. (n.d.). //Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD//. Retrieved May 3, 2011, from []


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">WATI.org : Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative. (n.d.). //WATI.org : Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative//. Retrieved May 3, 2011, from [|http://www.wati.org]

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 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">WordQ. (n.d.). //Go Q Software//. Retrieved May 3, 2011, from http://www.goqsoftware.com/