Write Online Adds a Mind Mapping Workspace

I have been impressed with Write Online from Crick Software since I first saw it, and initially remarked that this Web 2.0 application breaks new ground for assistive technology. Write Online provides the user with a rich feature set for writing that is accessible from any web browser. Just this past week John Crick alerted me to the addition of a mind mapping workspace to Write Online which I had a chance to use this past weekend.

When you open Write Online you will notice a Document and a Workspace tab. If you click on the Workspace Tab you will see that it puts you into a mind mapping mode that lets you do some quick brainstorming using a variety of different shapes to get your ideas down. Using some of the short cuts I was able to quickly prepare my mind map and link my ideas. You can see from the screenshot that you can add linking text to the ideas and add color to the various shapes that are provided. You will find it an easy to use addition to the program. Once you are done you can quickly transfer your mind map to an outline in the Document space- which is a great feature. But it even gets better than that! With one click you can create a Wordbar with the words you used to generate your mind map. Imagine all of the possibilities for having students create their own mind maps with the support of a customized Wordbar. Write Online continues to innovate and now provides a quick way for students to brainstorm using mind maps to do so. For more information about Write Online click here.

Crick Software Releases WriteOnline 1.3

FYI- today I received an email from John Crick announcing the release of WriteOnline 1.3. As you will see in this post Crick Software has added a number of features and enhancements that will make WriteOnline even more compelling for students with writing disabilities. WriteOnline has added SoundsLike word prediction which works really well with students who are phonetic spellers. WriteOnline 1.3 clearly provides students with the supports they need wherever and whenever they need it. Take a look at WriteOnline to see for yourself how these supports can help the students you support in the classroom.

WriteOnline release 1.3
We have just gone live with WriteOnline 1.3, which incorporates our new SoundsLike^TM technology in the word predictor. This works out what the word you are typing sounds like, and then predicts words that begin with that sound, making the prediction even more powerful for writers who have difficulty spelling! For example, if you type 'fiz', the predictor will offer you words beginning with 'phys'.

There are a number of enhancements in this release, including:

• opening and saving as MS Word documents (.doc and .docx)
• option to customize speed of speech
• right-click speech on Wordbar tabs and spellchecker suggestions
• enhanced picture handling, with captions
• more accessibility enhancements for users with low vision
• SoundsLike^TM word prediction

Now the new version is live, it will be delivered to you automatically next time you login, so you don't have to do anything to update! For more information click here WriteOnline