Writing - friend or foe?

 Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation.

Graham Greene 

 I myself am very found of writing.  I enjoy turning a phase or telling a short amusing story.  I also love to read and without writers there would be nothing to read.  For some learners - that would be fine with them.  Without the written word we would  struggle to communicate and share ideas.  The words would be heard briefly and then fade into a memory.  There are many steps to writing and for the struggling writer they represent an almost insurmountable obstacle.  Notice I said almost.  Here are some ways that may help.

For prewriting - inspiration, more specifically kidspiration provides wonderful tools like graphic organizers and sequencing charts to help a writer get started wth ideas and points.

Drafting can be helped by using a word processor.  For students with physical or cognitive difficulties the DRAGON software can help with word recognition and more.  This program can also help with text to speech as well as editing. As can, JAWS.

Sharing or publishing has many option thanks to the internet.  The blogs that we have created are available to an audience and can be a great way to share learning progress with family and friends.  You can use a regular PC or even an Ipad.  The Ipad is really proving to be a tool for the future.  The size allows for greater use among many people.  We just need it to become mor affordable so that it can be put in the hands of the many that need it for the bare need of communication.

As has been shared, just having the tools is not enough.  There needs to be effective training for all users and it needs to be updated as updates are made available.  The tool can only be as good as the user.  If we plan the IEP right we can help all students become the storyteller of the future.