Category Archives: Writing

Scanmarker Air Pen – A Digital Notetaking Tool

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

The Scanmarker Air pen is a wireless, OCR scanning pen. With scanning lines of print, the pen completes optical character recognition and transfers it to another source. Companion software installed on a computer (Mac or Windows) or iOS or Android … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessibility, Android, Assistive Technology, Mac, Note Taking, Note Taking App, OCR, Windows, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Experience with AI-powered Digital Writing Assistants: An Illustrated Autoethnographic Study — Peace & Quiet

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

As an assistive technology practitioner, concerns regarding spelling and grammar are frequent. Of the many grammar editing services, Grammarly is typically recommended to clients for the extended editing tools offered. While MS Office’s spelling and grammar checkers have improved, they … Continue reading →

Posted in Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technology, Grammar, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Assistive Reading and Writing Software – Free Licenses Offered Through the End of the School Year

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

        As the mandatory shift to online instruction for all students occurs amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic, more vendors of assistive technology software have stepped up to support special needs students. The following developers of assistive technology software … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessibility, Assistive Technology, Dysgraphia, Learning Disability, Reading, Scanning, Word Prediction, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Assistive Technology in Special Education 3rd Edition” Book by Joan L. Green, SLP

Posted on June 23, 2019 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

        A big “thanks” to Joan L. Green for her diligence in updating her book, “Assistive Technology in Special Education 3rd Edition” © 2018 and to her donor who offered 1500 copies of her book to professionals working … Continue reading →

Posted in Android, App Reviews, Apps for Special Needs, Assistive Technology, AT for Handwriting, Augmentative Communication, Communicaton, Emergent Literacy, Executive Function, Focused attention, Google Docs, iOS, iPad, iPhone, Language Arts, Learning Disability, Note Taking, Scanning, Special education, Special Needs, Spell Checking, Spelling, Text to Speech, Windows, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How AI is Changing Writing: Check out Robot Don — Ask a Tech Teacher

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

Thanks to Jacqui at Ask a Tech Teacher for sharing a new AI proof writing tool! I am pretty excited about AI, much less a tool to help individuals with written production. Second to solutions for reading, writing solutions are needed … Continue reading →

Posted in Assistive Technology, Grammar, Language Arts, Learning Disability, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Styluses for Dexterity Challenges with Touch Screen Tablet Use

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

A inquiry from a blog reader requested suggestions for a stylus that would help with challenges with dexterity causing problems grasping writing tools. While standard grippers are currently available, additional research was needed to check current options of styluses. My search reminded … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessibility, Activities of Daily Living, Android, Assistive Technology, AT for Handwriting, Drawing, Ergonomics, Handwriting, iPad, Mobility Impairment, Note Taking, Occupational Therapy, Writing | Leave a comment

Handwriting for Heroes – Learn to Write with Your Non-dominant Hand

Posted on February 16, 2019 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

Loosing hand dominancy after injury or a medical condition is a daunting task after years of developing manipulative skills of one’s preferred hand. A recent assessment of a vocational rehabilitation client in her late twenties who sustained a spinal stroke … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Assistive Technology, Fine Motor Development, Handwriting, Mobility Impairment, Notetaking,, Rehabilitation, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Call Scotland – Android Apps for Learners with Dyslexia / Reading and Writing Difficulties

Posted on February 9, 2019 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

  CALL Scotland, a service of the University of Edinburgh shares information and resources on assistive technology. They produce wonderful visual app wheels of apps and tools to support individuals with disabilities. They are a quick glance of tools or apps categorized within separate subcategories in their app … Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Apps for OT's, Apps for Special Needs, Assistive Technology, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, eBook Creating, Reading, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Otter AI – Recording and Transcription Service & App

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

Note taking is a frequent concern of students transitioning to post secondary education. Keeping pace with lectures delivered at a fast pace, spelling, processing information and writing notes simultaneously are just a few of the barriers for students and professionals. … Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Assistive Technology, Digital Recording, iPad, iPhone, Learning Disability, Note Taking, Note Taking App, Transition, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Call Scotland New & Revised Apps Wheel

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

Call Scotland has curated apps using a clever apps wheel display for several years. Here is their 6th version of the iPad Apps for Learners with Dyslexia / Reading and Writing Difficulties. Their app wheel has those tried and true apps for individuals a … Continue reading →

Posted in Apps for Special Needs, Assistive Technology, Dyslexia, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Learning Disability, Reading, Writing | 3 Comments