Co:Writer Universal

Co:Writer Is: Is Not: 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)

Quick Card Topic Dictionaries Word Banks Vocabulary Settings – speech, text, number of guesses, prediction-flexible

Mini Lessons Focus on a particular feature of the software 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 level Some of our students are going to need specific instruction on some of the features of the software

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.

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 school See 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.

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. Once teachers have their own logins and have assigned to students, they can go in and see the data from their students 3. Click on Reports.

Taking a Look at the Reports See Handout: Word Lists 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. What are the different category of words…what do they mean? We think maybe these categories are kind of meaningless 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

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.

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.

Mat – September & October

Mat

Anders

Ross

Marissa

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 began

Adding Co:Writer to the IEP On page B under the Consider tab: Check “yes” under the Assistive Technology box On 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 IEP

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.