Article Response: "Assistive Technology and Writing"

Newton and Dell point out that there are two different aspects to writing. The first aspect is, "handwriting" and the second is "written expression". There are low-tech and high tech solutions for students with writing difficulties.

LOW-TECH:







MID-HIGH TECH:








These are just a few examples of mid/high and low tech solutions for students who struggle with writing.

The article is enlightening in that it reminds me that the focus should be on the quality of responses, not on the quality of handwriting. "For some students with learning disabilities, the process of handwriting or keyboarding text can command so much of their cognitive resources that they have little left to devote to the content of their writing. Given the opportunity to record their ideas digitally, students can think about what they want to say rather than how to handwrite, spell or keyboard it." If we allow struggling writers to create digital responses, then we are putting more emphasis on content rather than the act of writing. There are teachers who would argue, "what happens to these kids when they enter the 'real world ?"  I would argue that the "real world" is chalk full of assistive technologies (ie. iPads) and that we should be teaching kids how to use them in school.