Posted below is the second version of my writing process assignment. As you will see the second document is very different from the first. This version shows the processes that are happening at each step of the writing process as well as the executive functions that are going on at the same time. On the left hand side of the image are various assistive technologies that can be used at each step of the writing process.
In class this week we learned about the writing process. What an amazingly complicated process! I don't think most of us consider all the different processes that are involved in writing. As a non neuro person I am blown away by how the brain coordinates all the processes so that they all work together. The fact that all these processes occur at the same time and, for the most part, without any conscious input from the writer blows me away. Any delay in development of, or deficit in, any of the processes can impair if not prevent a person's ability to communicate effectively in a written format.
Our second assignment was to create a diagram of the writing process based on a short piece of writing that we did. Mine is based on the question how do you bbq the perfect steak? As you will see from the diagram below whether you realize it or not, all of the writing process comes into play whenever you are writing.
I came across this video on Youtube. Being interviewed is Ray Kurzweil (of Kurzweil 3000 fame). He is talking about a new piece of software called Biblio. It is essentially a free e-book reader that will be compatible with all computers and portable devices. In the video you see two demonstrations. The first is of a children's book being read with a pre-recorded track while highlighting words. The second is an anatomy textbook which also has text to speech, quizes and embedded video.
The software is also able to do text to speech from scanned documents. According to the Blio website (http://www.blio.com/) users can add take notes, highlight text, add links and export for use as study materials. At this time the software is available as a free download and is available for the Windows platform only.
Though not intended to replace Kurzweil 3000 this may be of interest to people who want to have a text read out loud to them or who don't qualify for Kurzweil but would benefit from some of its features.
I haven't had a chance to really explore the software yet but I have downloaded it and figured out how to import your own document into the program. You need to have a file in the .xps format which can be created in Word 2007. I'll explore it some more and post a better review later.
I came across an article in the http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/nyregion/31owen.html?_r=1 that tells the story of a 7 year old with a motor neuron disorder who recently began using an iPad. It also discussed a number of other people who are using the iPad as assistive technology. While the article does not go into great detail about the use of the technology it did serve to remind me that assistive technology is not one size fits all. The choice of what technology to recommend and use must be based on the user and their goals.
As the article showed, for all the good that the iPad can do it is no use to you if you can't touch the screen.
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