Universal CoWriter Is A word prediction tool A tool that needs to be taught to amp modeled for the student A tool that helps students that have a disconnect from their thoughts to their written language by providing naturally occurring words in correct syntax ID: 533756
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Slide1
Co:Writer UniversalSlide2
Co:Writer
Is:
A word prediction tool
A tool that needs to be taught to & modeled for the student
A tool that helps students that have a disconnect from their thoughts to their written language by providing naturally occurring words in correct syntax
Is Not:
A Crutch
A Cure All—it will not solve all of the student’s issues with the writing process
A replacement of instruction in the area of written language (writing process, editing, revising)Slide3
Quick Card
Topic Dictionaries
Word Banks
Vocabulary
Settings – speech, text, number of guesses, prediction-flexibleSlide4
Mini Lessons
Whole group or individual
You may need to teach your students how to
Save Work (one drive, desktop, my documents etc.)
Locate Work and Open
Focus on a particular feature of the software
May need repetition to get these skills to an independent levelSlide5
Supporting Students’ use of Co:Writer
Remind your students to use the word prediction software until they get in the routine of using it.
Create shortcuts for Microsoft Word and Co:Writer to the desktop or taskbar.
Some students will benefit from making the print larger (within Microsoft Word). Teach them how to change the font and size as needed.Slide6
Alternative Access to Co:Writer
Students are able to download
Co:Writer
onto their home computers (both Windows and Mac) and access using the log-in created at schoolSee Handout: Downloading Co:Writer at Home
Co:Writer
is also available on the iPad, iPhone, and Chrome books. It is not available on Android systems at this time.Slide7
Monitoring Student’s Use
1. After logging into educatordashboard.com click on the
orange Monitor
tab on the main screen.
2. Then click on
Co:Writer
under accommodations.
3. Click on
Reports
.Slide8
Taking a Look at the Reports
Shows when the student was initially given access to the software.
Total number of words typed since initial date.
Co:Writer
tracks time when the word prediction box is present. When idle for 5 or more minutes, tracking stops.
Co:Writer
tracks the usage of academic words, transition words, and number of important words. This allows you to track your students mastery of vocabulary within their writing
See Handout: Word ListsSlide9
Usage of Vocabulary
Words Used:
This shows a list of words that have been used by your student in their writings.
When you click on the
“Words Not Used” you will see a comprehensive list of words that fall into the category that have not been used by your student.Teachers can use this information create mini lessons that will help broaden their student’s vocabulary usage.Slide10
Who should use Co:Writer
Universal?
Students for whom Microsoft Word does not provide enough support.
Students who have a basic knowledge of letter/sound associations.
Students who struggle to get their ideas down on paper due to fine motor issues.Students who have a disconnect between their thoughts and their hand.
Students who fatigue easily when writing due to the effort required by the physical act of handwriting.
Students whose writing is difficult to read due to spacing, letter reversals, misspelled words, and letter formation.
Students who use less sophisticated vocabulary in their writing due to difficulty in spelling key academic vocabulary words.
Students who require extended time to complete written work when compared to grade level peers.Slide11
Mat – September & OctoberSlide12
MatSlide13
AndersSlide14
RossSlide15
MarissaSlide16
Consideration of Co:Writer
for the IEP
Prior to adding assistive technology in the area of writing, data must be collected for three or more data collection points and analyzed to determine
IF
Co:Writer improves, increases or maintain the student‘s functional performance. If Co:Writer does improve, increase or maintain the student’s functional performance then it would be listed as assistive technology within the IEP.Data collection can include things like:
total words written
spelling accuracy
length of writing
words per minute
progress on the student’s IEP writing checklist monitored by a phase line when
Co:Writer
trial beganSlide17
Adding Co:Writer to the IEP
On page B under the
Consider
tab:
Check “yes” under the Assistive Technology boxOn page F under the Activities tab you will be entering 2 boxes:
1. Add the box:
Assistive Technology Devices
You will write an approximation of the following statement:
**** requires the use of word prediction software with flexible spelling (
Co:Writer
) when completing written work that is more than a (phrase, sentence, paragraph) in length.
2. Add the box:
Assistive Technology Support
You will write the following statement:
Staff will instruct **** on the use of the word prediction software with flexible spelling. When the computer and/or software is not working, staff will troubleshoot and remediate the problem. If the building team requires assistance with these tasks they will contact the assistive technology specialist for training.
See Handout:
AT on the IEPSlide18
District-Wide Licensing
Unlimited licensing is available across the district.
Co:Writer
Universal software is already installed on district computers.
***If, for some reason the Co:Writer software is not installed under the Start Menu of your computer, please contact your Assistive Technology or Occupational Therapist support staff.
Staff and students will need to be given an access code before they can use the software.