1. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Predictive Typing, Screen Reading On Screen Keyboard for Dyslexic and Physically Disabled Writers. Penfriend Ltd

2. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Penfriends Features Word Prediction Speech: predictions, letters, documents, etc On-Screen Keyboard Abbreviation Expansion Smart Punctuation Personalised Lexicons and Settings

3. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Word Prediction For people who write very slowly. –Dyslexic: Unsure what letter comes next –Physically disabled: Slow to reach keyboard Predicts the next word they might write. Is part of a literacy strategy. Works inside any word-processor...

4. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Word Prediction

5. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Speech Speak predicted words automatically, –Or when pointed at, clicked with right button or when chosen Speak typed material: –Letters typed, words typed, sentences typed Speak clipboard –For reading back large parts of a document –Also useful for web pages, etc.

6. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 On-Screen Keyboard Those who have difficulty using the normal keyboard Reduces the visual strain of glancing between screen and keyboard

7. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Lexicons Standard lexicons for basic vocabulary, children and teenagers. Analyses many aspects of word usage. Learns new words. Dynamically adapts to each users vocabulary. Should be checked by a teacher regularly.

8. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Lexicon - New Words Normal words Accept this new word for normal prediction Reject it, but it may may be learnt again. Reject it but prevent repeated learning. Reject all words marked New Accept all new words for normal prediction. View and edit detailed information about the word A newly learnt word, typed by the user

9. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Word Properties How do you spell this word? How often does this word occur in English? Has the user written this word recently? Has the teacher not approved this word yet? Has the teacher rejected this word as a common misspelling? Must the word always have a capital letter? What part-of-speech (eg adjective) is this word normally? Less common part-of-speech (eg singular noun) What words often come after this? Click to completely forget the word.

10. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Penfriends Strengths High quality lexicons Simple to use Well balanced features Clear speech Reliable Affordable

11. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Recommendations Penfriends options can be adjusted for different skill deficits. Categories: –Motor Impairment only –Poor Spelling –Poor Reading –Dyslexia –Visual Impairment

12. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Motor Impairment only Next Word Prediction Unrepeated Predictions On-Screen Keyboard? Use largest lexicon available Maximum prediction list length Learn New Words

13. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Motor Impairment only FilterKeys, StickyKeys etc –in Windows 95 onwards Tracker-ball instead of mouse Key-guard over keyboard Large or small keyboard

14. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Poor Spelling Switch off Predict New Words Switch off Learn New Words? Smaller lexicon Train lexicon with likely new words Check new words in lexicon frequently

15. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Poor Reading Speak predictions, words, sentences etc Shorter prediction list Large screen font Switch off Unrepeated Predictions

16. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Dyslexia Speak predictions, words, etc Large screen font, users colour choice On-Screen Keyboard? –Reduces visual strain. Appropriate lexicon for users vocabulary Check new words in lexicon frequently Smart punctuation

17. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Visual Impairment Large, simple, screen font Users choice of colours Reduce display resolution: 640 x 480 ? Speak predictions, document. Large lexicon, learn new words, etc.

18. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Conclusion Penfriend is the most effective word predictor. Of value to dyslexic and physically disabled writers. Learns each persons vocabulary Affordable and Available

19. Copyright Penfriend Ltd, April 2005 Penfriend Users Penfriend chosen as the predictor/screen reader for 800 UK Online centres Penfriend in 48 special schools in Northern Ireland as part of C2K schoolbox