Important features

This next section will introduce you, or the young person you are working with, to the most important features. The below information will include questions in orange which you can ask the young person you are working with if appropriate to prompt and support them.

1. The Words function is one of the most key features. You can switch it on by pressing the Words icon in the toolbar.

2. What happens when we switch the Words icon in the toolbar on? How can you switch it off?
You can tell this feature is on as the word prediction box appears near your cursor. You can switch it off by pressing the Words icon on the toolbar again.

Word Q Speak Q Example with Words turned off

3. Can you start typing a sentence? First, start typing a sentence, or ask the young person you are with to. An example could be “My favourite subject is”. When you or the young person you are with get stuck at a difficult word, sound it out, start typing and look at the prediction box. See if you can recognise the word.

Word Q Speak Q Example with Words turned on

4. Listening back Now click the speech button in the toolbar.

5. What do you think this button might do to help us find the word we want?

Hover on the word in the word box again and see if you can hear the right word you’re looking for. If it is, click on it to add it to your sentence.

Top Tip for Staff or Parents: If you are introducing this tool to pupils, make sure you are using positive reinforcement regularly by this point. Once they’ve spelt the word or got the word in, give really simple praise. It is important to do this to help young people recognise that they’re succeeding in writing so they are motivated to continue and feel supported.

6. Independent editing Complete the sentence and put in a full stop. When you have done this, press the space button (make sure the speech button is on), and hear it read back.

7. Listen to the sentence. Does it sound right? Can you think of anything you can do to correct it?

The student may begin to self correct the spelling, punctuation or grammar. Support them to do this. Then move onto the next sentence using the Word and Speech features to help.

8. As you keep typing, you’ll notice arrows and diamonds appearing in the word box.
What do you think the arrows and diamonds do? Click on them to find out.

Word Q Speak Q Another Words example

9. The arrows provide usage examples and the diamonds act as a thesaurus. These features help you decide if a word is the right one to use.

Now you know how to use some of the features of WordQ SpeakQ. Did you know you can also use WordQ SpeakQ:

To speak and get the word/s you have spoken to be typed automatically onto the page?
To read whole sections of text in different programs that you might find easier to understand if you can listen to it rather than read it yourself??
To help you achieve what you are capable of in exams?
To import word banks on certain topics or texts e.g. Shakespeare to help pupils find and use appropriate words or names??
To tailor the WordQ SpeakQ profile for every user (e.g. smaller or larger word lists, different voice recognition)

Don’t forget to click on Options then Help in your toolbar to find out more or go to the training section of the LGfL website.