Co-Writer Review

The Co-writer is word prediction software perfect for special needs students.  It works with Microsoft word, web browsers and google. Students in any grade would benefit from such technology.  According to donjohnson.com, autistic and dyslexic students would benefit most from the Co-writer.

Watch Nichelle’s Story: Overcoming Dyslexia with Technology

Nichelle’s reading issues were ultimately diagnosed as dyslexia. In her first year of high school, she asked her 9th grade teacher, Ms. Ellen O’Ryon, “Is there technology that could help me become a better learner?” Ms. O’Ryon requested the assistance of Mollie Kropp, the Assistive Technology (AT) Resource Teacher and today, the 16 year old proudly displays A’s and B’s on her report card. Her reading skills jumped four grade levels and she carries a binder with her in school to remind her how far she has come. The binder includes assignments, report cards, inspirational quotes, IEP goals, certificates of achievement and a photo of Whoopi Goldberg, who also has dyslexia. The cover reads… “Failure is Not an Option.”

How could this quiet, reserved teenager excel at such a rapid rate after failing for nine years? The solution rested in the hands of insightful teachers and specialists, like Ms. O’Ryon and Ms. Kropp, and a handful of AT tools on a laptop computer. Because of her dyslexia, Nichelle needs to hear content read aloud and the ability to repeat and review subject matter often so that her mind can process the data. “Ms. Kropp changed my life,” said Nichelle, “by providing me with these technologies.”

Today, Nichelle is the Fairfax County’s first Student Technology Ambassador. She is honored by the position and speaks to teachers and parents about her learning journey with dyslexia. Recently, she spoke to 100 Virginia educators in the TOPS program, (Technology Outreach Program Support Team). They wanted to know about the AT tools that led to her ability to succeed at reading, science, math and history. She created a storyboard (see photo left) to demonstrate the literacy tools that continue to help her improve her reading and writing skills.

• In her AT toolkit, Nichelle uses four literacy tools daily to keep up with her schoolwork:
• Read:OutLoud, an accessible text reader that reads eBooks, electronic text and the Internet aloud
• Co:Writer, a word prediction tool that improves spelling and grammar
• Write:OutLoud, a talking word processor that reads words and sentences as students write

Pricing

Co:WriterCodePrice Per SiteCall or request a quote
online for
your best price!Unlimited Desktop Subscription LicenseP40LSLWB$99.00 / Site, Per Month*Unlimited Desktop Subscription License — 3 YearP40LSL3WB$99.00 / Site, Per Month* (Summer months are FREE—2 per year)

Source: donjohnson.com
Source: Dell, A; Newton, G and Petroff, J. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experience of Students with Disabilities. Pearson Education.