No longer available from Spectronics - replaced by Draft:Builder SOLO

The organisational tool that gets to the core of the writing process

Draft:Builder leads students through the three key steps in creating a first draft: organising ideas, taking notes and writing the draft. It models the logical, progressive steps of draft writing and displays a visual representation of the process. The display gives students a framework to generate, manipulate and connect ideas and information. The result? Students are less overwhelmed, more organised and able to produce a high quality first draft.

Developed in partnership between Don Johnston Inc and the Education Development Centre Inc a leading US-based educational research and development organisation, Draft:Builder helps students with learning difficulties to learn and practice the writing process.

DRAFT:BUILDER IS THE ORGANISATIONAL TOOL FOR STUDENTS WHO:

• Are reluctant, frustrated writers


• Need assistance to manipulate reference materials and take notes


• Struggle with handwriting, spelling, comprehension and abstract thinking


• Need to write independently within the curriculum and work independently


• Have tried the concept mapping features in the “Inspiration” software program – but need more support with the structure of writing


• In fact … when we reviewed this program at Spectronics, we thought many teachers and therapists would find this a GREAT tool for putting together their own submissions and reports!

Students write better reports

• Reluctant writers practise and master draft writing
• Developing writers understand how their ideas and information are collected
• Struggling writers shift from outline mechanics to sequencing and synthesising information
• All students write consistently across the curriculum

Click here for screenshot examples of Draft:Builder in use

Split view shows relationship of steps
Draft:Builder contains a split-screen view throughout which helps students with diverse learning styles. As students make revisions and additions in one view, their actions are reflected in the alternate view. Because the outline view remains constant, students remain focused. They are not required to remember or transfer information as they progress from brainstorming ideas to writing the draft.

Templates support writing on many topics
You get more than 30 ready-to-go templates that support common reports. Examples include Compare and Contrast, Expository Report, Food Groups and Interview a Friend. Struggling students get a good organisational start and the chance to see a good model. In the Teacher’s Guide you receive five lesson plans that show how to use a template with a single student or group. The templates are easy to modify and customise for a particular student or lesson.

Speech feedback ensures success
Hearing text as it is entered helps students who are auditory learners or those who may not be able to see the computer screen. Hearing the onscreen buttons state their purpose helps some students determine their next step. Built-in speech and the talking Franklin Spell Checker helps students write with correct conventions.