Every now and then a really innovative new software concept for supporting struggling writers pops up. We think that Ginger fits into this category! It is a clever contextual spelling and grammar checker which automatically suggests corrections for even the most phonetically spelled sentences! It works with sentences written in Microsoft Word and in emails constructed within Microsoft Outlook. Check it out for yourself on the Ginger Software website by typing in a sample misspelled sentence and see how Ginger cleverly interprets the intended content and will accurately suggest the correctly spelled version with correct grammar. The other real bonus is that students will be able to learn how to use it in less than one minute! It is that simple to master. And is great for those students who type too fast to interrupt their workflow by watching and selecting from word prediction lists as they type. Let them type out their ideas as they are flowing – then “Ginger” the text to correct the errors after the work is complete.
Ginger will soon be available from Spectronics – in two versions. Ginger Standard and Ginger Premium (which adds in text-to-speech to assist with reading and comprehending the suggested changes and creates individual progress reports for each student using the program). Because of the size of the database driving this clever program, users need to be online to use Ginger – with licences available on an annual subscription basis.
Download a trial version to evaluate the program for yourself from the Ginger Software website. Please contact Greg O’Connor at Spectronics if you would like to be advised when Ginger is available from Spectronics.
I thought this looked interesting – tried a few sentences on the web site, but had mixed results. Unfortunately I can’t remember the words that didn’t work out, but it wasn’t anything very difficult! I wasn’t sure if it would learn from mistakes, if it was being used by someone over time…
Hi Rachael
Everyone here at Spectronics is excited about the possibilities provided by Ginger Software as a literacy support tool. I found that I got a better idea of the program when I downloaded the 14 day demo (which I did this week) – it is extremely successful in checking and correcting spelling and grammar.
The FAQ section of their website provides a good overview of the many features of the software (http://www.gingersoftware.com/support/faq)
Ginger will provide the following support:
*Correct misspelled words
*Ginger identifies words that are misused contextually even when their spelling is correct. For example, in the sentence “Were are you?”, a standard spell checker does not detect any error. Ginger automatically changes “Were” to “Where”.
*Ginger recognizes and merges split words. For example, Ginger will identify the error in the sentence “I went in side” and will correct it to “I went inside”.
*Ginger provides grammar correction: detection and correction of prepositions, and other inflections.
Upcoming versions of Ginger will include many more features, including:
*Vocabulary enhancement: Ginger will suggest synonyms for correct words that are more appropriate to the register of the sentence.
*Insertion of missing words: For example, Ginger will recognize the missing word “are” in the sentence “what you doing?” suggest inserting it.
*Verb tense correction
In answer to your last question, my understanding is that the software learns a user’s writing patterns, and improves over time. However, I am happy to follow this up with Ginger Software – you can contact me via my email address: grego@spectronicsinoiz.com
Cheers
Greg O’Connor
Education Services Manager (Teacher)
Spectronics
Can you please tell me the price of your programs and if you have a text reader? Thanks
Nerellee.
Could you also tell me the annual subscription rate for a school setting as well please. Thanks Nerellee
Hi Nerellee
The subscription costs for Ginger are now up on our web at http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/product/ginger
Happy for you to contact me to discuss any other software applications you are considering, including text to speech. My contact details are:
Email – grego@spectronicsinoz.com
Phone – 07 3808 6833
Cheers
Greg O’Connor
Education Services Manager (Teacher)
Spectronics