WriteOnline provides a powerful word processor, supported by a unique range of integrated writing support features. WriteOnline is accessible anytime, anywhere just by logging in online. Plus, you now also have the option of installing from CD, so you’re not dependent on an Internet connection.

Use online AND install it too!

With WriteOnline, you get the best of both worlds. In addition to running it online from any computer anywhere, you now also have the option of installing it on computers within your school! All subscribers now get a CD that includes both standalone and network installers, plus a specially built installer for RM CC3 and CC4 networks (UK). The installed version can be used without an Internet connection.

Today’s students are used to carrying out tasks on any computer, so an online writing tool feels natural to them. They just log in to Crick Software’s website at www.LearningGrids.com, click the Launch WriteOnline button, and they’re ready to start writing.

FREE online storage
Each student gets his or her personal online folders as part of the WriteOnline subscription, and they can save documents either here or to their own computer. Students’ user preferences are automatically stored for them online, so the program starts up as they want it every time, on any computer.

Use it offline too!
When you first run WriteOnline on any computer, it invisibly caches the program (stores it temporarily) on your computer and puts a shortcut on your desktop. You can start WriteOnline from this shortcut even if you have no Internet connection, as long as you have logged into the program within the past three days. So you get the best of both worlds – work anytime, anywhere, even when there’s no Internet connection!

Works like an installed application!
WriteOnline doesn’t depend on an Internet connection while it’s running – it uses the power of your own computer, so it’s just as responsive as an installed application.

Can I use WriteOnline without an Internet connection?
Yes – just use the installed version. This requires no Internet connection.

What happens if my Internet connection goes down while I am using the online version?
You can carry on using the program as normal. The only difference is that you won’t be able to open or save files to your online folders. Instead, you can save files to your local computer.

Where do I save my files?
You can save files at any time to your local computer or network. In addition, if you have an Internet connection, you save to your online folders. These are provided for every individual as part of your subscription.

WriteOnline’s clear voice enables students to review what they have written. Research shows that this active engagement with text encourages students to find and correct errors for themselves.

The speech in WriteOnline sounds almost human and has a British English accent.

NEW Other languages are available for use with WriteOnline by installing Speech Support for Modern Foreign Languages.

Using speech in word processing is a proven way to get students to check their writing more often, and to go back and correct their mistakes themselves. These are exactly the skills you want students to develop as they become more confident writers.

Listen to sample Lucy voice (mp3)

Clear highlighting
Words are clearly highlighted as they are spoken, enabling students to follow the words in the document as they are read.

Individual settings for every student
Students who only need speech occasionally simply select the text they want to hear, and use the speech tool on the toolbar.

Other students might want to hear each sentence automatically as it is completed. Set this option in the User Preferences, and every time the students enters a full stop (or ? or !), the last sentence is read aloud. This is a great way to ensure that students check their work as they go (and it’s a great incentive to remember to punctuate too).

For students with more difficulties, set WriteOnline to read every word as it is typed, or even every letter. You can also have any combination of the speech settings – for example, it can read every word automatically, and then also read out the full sentence when the full stop is entered.

Check before you write!
The speech is also active in the word predictor and the Wordbar. Here, students can right-click (on Mac, Ctrl-click) to listen to a word before they write it, helping them to find the words they want and gain confidence.

The incredibly accurate Wordflow technology predicts as you type, suggesting words that fit the context of your writing. Students’ confidence grows as they compose flowing text with accurate spelling and grammatically correct sentences.

By using the predictor, students can give their full attention to what they want to write, rather than focussing on what letter comes next. The result is greatly improved coherence, spelling and grammar.

Predicts in context as you type
The predictor is fully integrated, so that it always knows your context. A list of possible next words is offered as you complete the word you are typing. If the word you want is not in the list, just start typing – your word is likely to appear after just two or three letters!

For struggling spellers, our SoundsLike technology detects what the word being typed sounds like. It then predicts words that begin with that sound. For example, if you type ‘fiz’, words like ‘physics’ will be predicted, as well as ‘fizzy’. Likewise, if you type ‘wen’, WriteOnline predicts ‘when’ and ‘Wednesday’, as well as ‘went’!

Access with mouse or keyboard
To enter a predicted word into your document, either click the word with the mouse or use a number key on the keyboard (you can choose whether you want to use the numeric keypad or the main number keys).

Want to hear the word before entering it? Just right-click (Mac: Ctrl-click) with the mouse or hold Ctrl while you press the number key.

Use from the sidebar or track the cursor
Use the predictor from its docked position in the sidebar or undock it so that it tracks the cursor.

Predict anywhere in the document
Integrated word prediction also means that you can go back anywhere in your text to look for alternatives. For example, imagine you have entered this sentence:

I walking to the park.

You listen to the sentence and realise that you have an incorrect word ending in ‘walking’. Just move your text cursor between the ‘k’ and the ‘i’ and the predictor will offer all the possible word endings. Click on ‘walked’ and you’re done!

Personalise for your students
You can be sure your students are getting predicted words that are right for them by setting the predictor to any one of four levels. You can even create your own customised levels. All the settings are automatically stored online, so the same settings will be always be used for each individual, no matter what computer they are using.

Wordbar brings curriculum writing tasks within the reach of all your learners by giving instant point-and-click access to specific words and phrases for their current writing task. It’s easy to make your own Wordbars, and there are hundreds of ready-made ones too! See more about WriteOnline Wordbar

WriteOnline’s new Workspace adds the ability to create visual mind maps and diagrams, enabling learners to organise their thoughts and ideas in diagrammatic format before they start to write. This powerful graphic organiser is completely integrated into WriteOnline!

Organising ideas is a vital first step in the writing process. WriteOnline’s WorkSpace provides an extremely powerful graphic organiser to help learners to structure their ideas and create logically coherent documents.

Fully integrated into WriteOnline
It’s so intuitive, your students will be able to start creating mind maps immediately with no instruction.
Just click on the WorkSpace tab at the top of the document, then drag in a shape from the palette or click anywhere and start to type. Link your ideas as you go, and colour code them to reinforce your structure.

Get speech, predictor and Wordbar support
All of WriteOnline’s support features are available while creating your mind map or diagram. Listen to your text with the speech tool, use the word predictor to help find the right word, or click on words in a Wordbar to enter text and create objects. There are no files to worry about, as the WorkSpace is automatically saved with your document.

Transform your mind map into a structured document
Ready to start writing? Click the Tile button to see your document and WorkSpace alongside each other, or send your mind map into your document, either as a diagram or as an outline document. Better still, instantly transform your WorkSpace into a Wordbar to help you to create a structured and logically coherent document.

WriteOnline’s document analysis tool gives you a revealing insight into each student’s writing process, including a complete history of the time spent on the document. What’s more, you can see all the sections of pasted text, plus a full analysis of spelling errors to help you target your teaching where it’s most needed.

It’s great to have students hand in a well-presented document, but wouldn’t it be good to find out something about how the document was produced, and any difficulties the student faced while they were working on it? By giving you this information, WriteOnline helps you to target your teaching where it’s needed.

Document History
In addition to the basic statistics of the document – number of paragraphs, average sentence length, etc, the Document Analysis dialog shows you a complete history of the document, showing you when work on it was first started, the number of sessions it was worked on, and the total amount of time used (it shows the active time spent actually working).

Was the assignment done rather too quickly, or did the student actually spend too long on a sample question for which they will have limited time in an exam? Either way, you can target your teaching to help them improve.

Pasted text
It can be very tempting to paste a chunk of text from another source into an assignment – but WriteOnline will know and record this information! Of course, students can make good use of pasting too (pasting quotes, for example). Either way, you have the information and the freedom to choose the action to take.

Spelling corrections
Spellcheckers are wonderful tools, but by their very nature they conceal any spelling problems the student has. By viewing all the words where the spell checker was used, and seeing the original spellings, it’s easy to identify possible patterns, so that you can plan your teaching to address specific spelling issues.

WriteOnline has extensive support features and accessibility options to support students with a range of special needs, from dyslexia to physical disabilities. Built with Universal Design techniques, WriteOnline enables all users to access and benefit from the software.

WriteOnline for Dyslexia
WriteOnline is the premier reading and writing solution that offers more support to learners with dyslexia than any other word processor.

Designed for students aged 9-adult, WriteOnline has a modern, age-appropriate interface that is easy to use, with all the support features fully integrated.

WriteOnline is the only word processor that provides speech, word prediction and the unique Wordbars, all in one online package your students can use anywhere.

Display options
For users with low vision, there are options to set high contrast colours, to override font settings, and to enlarge the document.

• Customisable zoom options
• Special high-contrast colour options
• Variable line spacing
• Large toolbar option
• Large fonts option for cell tooltips

Onscreen keyboard
Some students may not be able to use a physical keyboard, but can use a mouse or trackerball to access an onscreen keyboard. WriteOnline allows you to choose between several keyboard layouts, and the keyboard can open automatically when the program starts. The keyboard behaves like a special Wordbar, so it’s easy to move between this and any Wordbars that you have open.

Mouse dwell
For students who have difficulty clicking a mouse button, the Mouse Dwell option enables them to enter text by simply hovering over the required cell.

Switch access
Students unable to use a keyboard or mouse operate WriteOnline using switches. Connect between one and four switches via the Crick USB switch box, choose the scanning method and your switch users will be ready to start writing.

WriteOnline is now fully integrated with your Moodle learning platform! Read more about WriteOnline for Moodle

Minimum System Requirements

• Windows
  
  • Operating System: Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000
    
  • Internet access (Online version only)
    
  • Java (Online version only, usually installed on every computer with an Internet browser – will be installed if not present)
• Macintosh
  
  • Operating System: OS 10.5, 10.6 (Snow Leopard); not compatible with 10.7 “Lion”
    
  • Internet access (Online version only)
    
  • Java (Online version only, usually installed on every computer with an Internet browser – will be installed if not present)

• Linux
  
  • Tested and fully compatible with Asus Eee PC. Should be compatible with other Linux platforms with Java and web browswer installed.

Intalled version of WriteOnline
When you install WriteOnline onto your computer, there are no prerequisites at all apart from the Operating System. Both standalone and network installers are included on the CD, and there is a specially built installer for RM networks too.

Online version
The online version of WriteOnline requires Java. This is pre-installed on all Macs, and will be installed semi-automatically on Windows if it is not on the machine already.

View/Download

• Free Resources for WriteOnline