Writing Tools

In this category, you will find tools that help with writing: These can be tools designed to enhance the writing process using Speech-To-Text technology, improve grammar and spelling, vocabulary and definition resources, assist with brainstorming and organizing ideas, and provide feedback on writing style and structure.

Table of Contents

Speech to Text and General Tools

1. Dragon Naturally Speaking 

• • • •  Description: Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a speech recognition and speech control software. You can use your voice to create and edit documents or emails, launch applications, open files, control your mouse, and more.

      •  Operating System: Available on Windows only.

      •  Good for: Students that prefer or need speech-based solutions due to mobility challenges or visual processing differences.

      •  Pricing and Tiers: Only paid option available (between 220CAD/year to 939CAD for the pack)

      •  Link: https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html 

      •  Cheatsheet containing features: https://www.nuance.com/content/dam/nuance/en_us/collateral/dragon/guide/gd-dragon-naturally-speaking-quickstart-en-us.pdf
        
        

  • Features:

    • • Fast dictation and high speed accuracy recognition

      • Control your mouse, keyboard and screen using your voice

      • Access customized words and auto text across all devices

      • Limit manual actions, and make shortcuts and individual voice commands to personalize your experience

      • Edit and dictate text without needing to indicate punctuation, or edit easily using recommendations and actions.
        
        

2. Speech Recognition (Windows)

• Description: It’s a built-in option that lets you use your voice to control your computer using various commands or dictate a text into a computer program. 

• Operating System: Windows.

• Good for: mobility issues, difficulties with expression and difficulties organizing thoughts on paper. 

• Pricing and Tiers: Built-in option/ Free.

• Link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-speech-recognition-commands-9d25ef36-994d-f367-a81a-a326160128c7

• Features: 

  • Voice command: Use speech recognition to operate windows and programs: 

1. Open Speech Recognition by clicking Start button —All programs — Accessories — Ease of Access — Windows Speech Recognition.  

2. Say “start listening” or click the Microphone button to start the listening mode.  

3. Start commanding.  

• Dictate text:  

1. Open Speech Recognition by clicking the Start button — All programs — Accessories — Ease of Access — Windows Speech Recognition. Turn on the microphone by pressing the Microphone button or by saying “start listening”.  

2. Open the program you want to use or select the text box you want to dictate into.  

3. Say the text that you want to dictate. 

• Speech dictionary:  

1. Say “Open Speech Dictionary” 

     Do any of the following; 

2. To add a word to the dictionary, click or say, “Add a new word”, and then follow the instructions in wizard.  

3. To prevent a specific word from being dictated, click or say, “Prevent a word from being dictated”, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.  

4. To correct or delete a word that is already in the dictionary, click or say, “Change existing words”, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.  

*** Search the Internet for a more extensive list of commands to use with Windows Speech Recognition. 

Note-taking Tools

1. Glean 

• Description: Glean is a note taking tool that splits your screen into 3 sections. The first section allows students to upload their PowerPoints. The second allows students to take notes and the last section allows students to record their classes so that they can play it back if needed. This tool lets students compile all their notes in one place.

• Operating System: Mac & Windows

• Good for: Attention deficiencies, poor memory, challenges with organization and note taking 

• Pricing and Tiers: $15/month

• Link: https://glean.co/ 

Features 

Capture all the information from class

• Record complete lecture audio

• Instantly screenshot online classes

• Add notes, labels, and photos

Organise for easy navigation

• Add slides and headings

• Group your notes by class or subject

• Search across all your recordings

Refine your notes at your own pace

• Listen back after class

• Add multimedia notes

• Look up definitions in-app

Integrate into your learning

• Time your revision sessions in-app

• Available on laptop and mobile

• Automatic syncs between devices

2. Inspiration 

• Description: Inspiration is a mind-mapping software that allows students to visualise their notes. Students can create concept maps, mind maps, diagrams, graphic organizers, outlines, and presentations with ease. Inspiration has several templates to facilitate the task of making the mind-maps as well as offers a pdf converter tool so that students can print out their work.

• Operating System: Mac & Windows

• Good for: Improvement of critical thinking, creativity, comprehension, retention and reading and writing abilities. 

• Pricing and Tiers: $50

• Link: https://www.inspiration-at.com/ 

Features 

Create an Inspiration map

Launch the software which will bring you to a starter screen. If you wish to create a new document, select the desired type of document; diagram, outline or map. Open a document by clicking the open icon and selecting the appropriate file. Choose a template that offers a framework for your work. If connected to the Internet, view training videos, examples, and documentation as needed to learn how to use Inspiration easily.

1.     Create a central idea. A new document will open a central idea box.

2.     Add started branches. A new document will open four starting branches.

3.     Add new branches by; (1) selecting the existing branch or the central idea and clicking the plus sign to add a subtopic; (2) clicking the subtopic button on the main toolbar to add details or additional information to a branch or; (3) click on the Rapid-Fire icon to add a series of new ideas.

a.      Linking phrases – choose Link menu > Linking phrases + choose the phrase to insert

b.     Lock items in place – select one or more symbols in your diagram and choose Symbol menu > Lock item

4.     Add symbols that visually represent your information. Press Control/Command + 8 to open the symbols palette.

5.     Format your diagram by using the tools such as colors, font sizes, and styles as well as line thickness, default settings, drawing tools, nudge, position mind map, and branch symbol and color.

6.     Rearrange ideas by selecting the topic where you want to detach the branch. Drag it to a new location.

7.     Create relationships between ideas by selecting the first topic, clicking the related icon then clicking a connection point where you wish the link to end.

8.     Click on the note button on the main toolbar to add an integrated note and add the text.

*NOTE: Create an outline (click the outline icon) or a presentation (click on the presentation button) from your mind map information.

3. Notability

• Description: Notability is a note-taking tool that allows students to create or annotate any type of document from lecture notes to drawing diagrams. Users can present or share notes or even find templates in the notability gallery. Students can also record and play back their notes with ease.

• Operating System: IOS

• Good for: Attention deficiencies, poor memory, challenges with organization and note taking 

• Pricing and Tiers: Free/Pro at $15

• Link: https://notability.com/ 

Features 

Free

• Create multi-media notes with limited edits

• PDF import and annotation

• Audio-recording synced to your notes, scroll to a specific moment to see what you've written!

• Gallery and templates

• Custom Stickers

• Presentation Mode

• Document Scanning

• Various sharing and export options

• Multi-Note side by side viewing

Pro ($15 yearly)

• Everything in the free version

• Unlimited edits and notes

• Handwriting conversion and search

• iCloud Sync

• Auto-back up

• Math Conversion

• Ruler and compass

• Yearly planners and journals

• Stickers, themes and more

Editing Tools

1. Antidote

• Description: It’s a French and English corrector designed to assist users with writing, proofreading, and language learning in order to help them improve their writing/language skills. 

• Operating System: Mac & Windows

• Good for: Writing mechanics, dyslexia, writing composition, FLS and ESL.

• Pricing and Tiers: Antidote can be purchased for 129.95$ CAD. The English module can be purchased as an add-on. The Morisset Library computers also have Antidote installed.

• Link: https://www.antidote.info/en/antidote-11 

• Features:

Correction: identify and rectify language errors, typographical mistakes, and style inconsistencies;

How it works: 

1. Place your cursor before the text you wish to correct or select the desired text.

Types of detections and underlining: 

• Solid red underlining -> a corrected error to be approved.

• Dotted red underlining -> an error to be corrected by hand or inconsistent spelling.

• Thin orange underlining -> an alert. 

• Wavy orange underlining ->several possible spellings.

• Thick orange underlining -> a corrected typographical error to be approved.

2. Open the Antidote tab

3. Click on the “Corrector” button. A new Antidote window should open with the text.

4. Correct the text using the left pane of the main window. Use the navigation and action icons on the toolbar to revise the corrections. 

     Types of correction:

• Pragmatics: Examination of the “Who”, “How many/much”, “When”, “Where”, the protagonists and internal references.

• Error type: Grouped in the following classes – spelling, lexicon, grammar, syntax and punctuation

• Vocabulary: Searches rare words, unknown words and abbreviations in the text. 

Dictionary: you can access antidote dictionaries to get definitions (for words, expressions, idioms, phrases…) synonyms, combinations (access a list of possible combinations with syntactic context and strength of combinations) conjugation (offers complete conjugation information for all verbs in its dictionary including the word form, conjugated forms and an option to view in condenses format) and Wikipedia (If you have access to the Internet, Antidote offers a quick access link to the Wikipedia page linked to the selected word).   

2. Word Q (Version 5): 

• Description: An easy-to-install and simple-to-use desktop software that helps with basic aspects of writing, spelling and finding mistakes. Also, you get assistance to be independent in your work, and get your ideas down easily. It can be used alongside popular word processing programs such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or any other text editing software.

• Operating System: Available with Standard or Professional vocabularies for both Mac and Windows. 

• Good for: learning disabilities or challenges such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), or typing difficulties and reading comprehension. 

• Pricing and Tiers: 100$-200$ (365 Day License).

• Link: https://mathetmots.com/ca-en/store/produit/65/wordq-5-windows-and-mac