Writing+and+Spelling+Tools

**Overview**
Co-writer is a software program that works with any application such as MS word, Blogs, Text, Emails etc. It provides help for individuals with disabilities who may have illegible handwriting, poor spelling skills, trouble translating thought into writing, or who may have difficulty with typing. The software is a Don Johnston product. It starts at around $319 and up.

**Instructional Purpose**
The software is used to offer writing independence to individuals with various disabilities. It also helps with spelling and typing.

**Content**
This software meets it objective by allowing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to keep up with their peers by providing them with independence in writing and spelling. The software offer word prediction. It also allows individuals speech to text ability and an onscreen keyboard for those who are not physically able to type.

**Instructional Design**
This is a software program that is ready to use immediately after installation. It shows up directly on the screen of whatever program the student is using. There are multiple options the student can choose from.

**Appearance**
It is a simple box that follows the sentence as the student is writing.

**Ease of Use**
This is a fairly simple program to download and use. The student can use the program when needed or minimize the box when there is no use for it. As the student is typing, the word prediction box moves along with the sentence and continuously updates based on what the student is typing. The student can select the needed word directly from the text box with ease.

**Strengths and Weaknesses**
One strength of this program is that it is very simple to use. The fact that the box stays on the screen where it is readily accessible is also an advantage. The student does not have to click on any extra buttons because the screen is always there, unless they choose to close the box.

**UDL**
Word prediction incorporates a universal design for learning because it can be used with all students and not just those with disabilities. it offeres independence in writing and allows individuals a chance to maintain an appropraiate pace while requiring minimal assistance. It helps with spelling and writing.



**Overview**
Dragon naturally speaking is speech recognition software that allows individuals to speak words they would like to type. It helps students to dictate work up to three times faster. It has a 99% accuracy rate. It can be used with a variety of programs such as email, MS Word, Blogs etc.

**Instructional Purpose**
The purpose of Dragon Naturally Speaking is to provide individuals of varying abilities the opportunity to dictate the thoughts at a rate faster than they can with writing.

**Appearance**
Dragon Naturally Speaking is a software application that comes with a headphones set. There is nothing to show up on your screen. Everything is operated by voice.

**Ease of Use**
This is very easy to use and has a 99% accuracy rating. This means no repeating and deleting. Most information is picked up on the first time. You tell the computer exactly what you want it to do i.e.: send email, update facebook, type and various other activities. You tell it when to use punctuations and when to tab or start a new paragraph. This is simple to use if you know how to operate a computer.

**Strengths and Weaknesses**
I love this software. I think it is amazing. Its main strength is that it allows a person to write three times faster than they normally would. It allows students to keep up with the pace of the rest of the class or any individual who may be a slow typer of have lots to do. You can also use it with a variety of office tools. This program has many uses outside of just education. A weakness of this tool is that it is not 100% accurate. This means there is a chance that the user may have to repeat himself or delete wrong material. Another weakness is that the user must be familiar with how to operate a computer in a fluent matter. The user must also know correct punctuations and grammar when writing because it types exactly what you say.

**UDL**
Dragon Naturally Speaking levels that playing field for individuals of all abilities. It helps to improve the writing fluency of individuals with writing deficiencies as well as those learning English. It helps to provide independence of students by allowing them the ability to maintain the same pace as their peers.