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ERIC Number: ED432117
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1998-Mar
Pages: 61
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Enhancing the Writing Skills of Students with Learning Disabilities through Technology: An Investigation of the Effects of Text Entry Tools, Editing Tools, and Speech Synthesis. Final Report.
Lewis, Rena B.
This final report discusses the outcomes of a 3-year project that studied the effectiveness of word processing tools in improving the literacy skills of students with learning disabilities in grades 4-12. In Year 1 (1994-95), four text entry strategies were compared in 132 students with learning disabilities: keyboarding instruction, alternative keyboards, word prediction, and word prediction with speech synthesizers. The Year 2 study (1995-96), investigated the effects of two types of text editing tools, such as spelling and grammar aids with and without speech synthesis, in 106 students with learning disabilities. The Year 3 study (1996-97), investigated speech synthesis under three conditions in 103 students with learning disabilities: when available at all times versus when available only during the text entry or the editing/revising stages of writing. Results of the studies found: (1) that word processing had the most impact upon the accuracy of students' writing; (2) word prediction was the most promising strategy for improving the text entry speed; (3) spell checks were effective editing tools, although grammar checkers were not, and spell checks had a more positive effect on students' writing quality and accuracy than synthesized speech. (Contains 35 references.) (CR)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Special Education Programs (ED/OSERS), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: San Diego State Univ., CA. Dept. of Special Education.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A