This document provides information on various assistive technologies that can support academic writing. It lists apps and websites for taking notes, creating presentations, learning about different learning styles, recording audio, accessing textbooks, developing typing skills, using learning management systems, understanding essay titles, spelling and grammar checking, online training resources, brainstorming tools, organizing files and folders, storing documents online, proofreading tools, researching, and relaxing. Free assistive technologies can be found through websites, searching online, social media, app stores, magazines, and by contacting an assistive technology officer. The disability service can help students get assistive technology and provide related documentation.

1. Technologies
that support
Academic writing
Trevor Boland
Assistive Technology Officer
Trevor.boland@dit.ie

2. Atpresentations.tumblr.com

3. What is Assistive
Technology (AT)

4. What is Assistive
Technology (AT)
• Habit forming
• Right match

5. Free AT
How many people have laptops?

6. Free AT
How many people have laptops?
How many have Smart phones?

7. Free AT
How many people have laptops?
How many have Smart phones?
How many have tablet devices?

8. A little bit about me
Why do I use AT ?
Is it part of my everyday life?

9. Using your Gmail account as an organisational tool
Click on the grid symbol above for Gmail options

10. Taking notes
App- Android
Desktop
https://drive.google.com/keep/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep

11. Other Gmail features
Student Gmail (Browser).
Your Student Gmail account allows you to create
Word docs and Presentations
(Browser)

12. Learn more about the type
of learner that you are by
using this website.
V.A.R.K .
(Website)
http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-learning-styles-quiz

13. Prezi (Browser)
A very visually stunning way of making a presentation from a free online website.
Also, serch for presentations made by others in the search box. http://prezi.com/
(website)
 Visual

14. Capture your thoughts on
the move with Philips
Dictation Recorder for
Android
(Please do not record lectures with out your
lecturers permission).
Auditory
(Android and IOS App)

15. Also, through Google scholar
you can locate ‘Google books’
This has textbooks online that
can help your research too.
 read/ write
(Website)

16. Develop touch typing skills
 Kinesthetic
website http://www.typingweb.com/

17. Learn about Webcourses and
how to access and view
information made available by
your lecturers.
(Online video) click here to view
FIND

18. The Webcourses app, called
‘Blackboard Learn’, can be
downloaded as an app on your phone
or tablet device for both the Android
and IOS.
FIND
(Android and IOS App)

19. UNDERSTANDING THE ESSAY TITLE
Dictionary and Thesaurus
Explore and understand what the
assignment title is asking you to do.
(Website and App for Android and IOS)

20. Spelling
Free spelling and grammar proof reading
software from Ginger.
http://www.gingersoftware.com/download/
(software)

21.  Online Microsoft Training
(website)
Training regarding Word and Excel……contact Niall.Dixon@dit.ie

22.  Content
The Academic Phrasebank is a general resource
for academic writers. It aims to provide you with
examples of some of the phraseological "nuts
and bolts" of writing
http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/ /
(websitee)

23. BRAINSTORM
Example of a mind map from bubbl.us

24. A mind map is a diagram used to
visually outline information. One such
Mind map maker is called ‘Bubbl.us’.
(Web Application)
BRAINSTORM
https://coggle.it/
More recommendations :
http://mashable.com/2013/09/25/mind-mapping-http://www.stormboard.com

25. (Web Application)
Essay structure
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/essaymap/

26. Video tutorials
Use YouTube to get tips about Word, PowerPoint….
Try Vimeo for online videos too- https://vimeo.com/
itunesu
Khan Academy
 Content

27. Try to search Facebook for useful
information like Word, Excel, Tuts…
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Excel-Word-Tips-Tricks/193936364123565?ref=nf

28. Time management
Plan your timeline when completing your assignment (Website).
Type in the date an assignment must be submitted, and it calculates the tasks you
need to do each day leading up to the submission date
http://www.kent.ac.uk/ai/ask/index.php
(website)

29. Bibliography tools
Android and
iphone App
Tutorials about
Word

30. Procrastination
(website).
Procrastination can be an inhibitor at times but this website is worth
visiting if you need writing encouragemaent
Similar to this is written kitten - http://writtenkitten.net/
750words

31. ORGANISE
Naming convention for files and
folders
Keeping track of your files and folders can be difficult at times. These tips involve calling
your files and folders logical names. Also, file names can change in a simple way for you
to keep track of them like ‘AT essay V1’.
Version 1 can then become V2, V3 and so on as your essay develops.

32. STORE
‘Dropbox’ is a free service that lets you bring
your photos, docs, and videos anywhere and
share them easily. (google drive too)
(app / web application)

33. PROOFREADING
Azzapt works on your web browser. It can only be used with Dropbox. It converts
your Word files into epub formats as well as converting your written documents
into MP3 files. So you can now listen to your written work. This MP3 file can be
played on your computer or phone.
(Website)

34. Texthelp- Read&write gold
An application on DIT computers that can help you with your assignments
Assistive technology
(The texthelp icon on your DIT desktop computer)
View tutorial videos for Texthelp here

35. RESEARCH
To source academic material, try Sweetsearch,
the search engine for Students and Google
Scholar, the educational side of googling
(Websites- Search engines)

36. Delicious -Website http://delicious.com/
App- IOS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/delicious-official-app/id580295142?mt=8
App- Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?
id=se.alexanderblom.delicious&hl=en
This allows to store your
Bookmarks online
(App and Website)
Research

37.  Trello- organisational aid
(app and website)
Trello also comes in app form too for the Android, Iphone, Windows. Like the
website these are all free are help you organise on the go.

38. Then relax (get in the zone) with some music
in Sound Cloud - http://soundcloud.com
(website and app)

39. Where and how can I find free Assistive
Technology (AT)?

40. Where and how can I find free Assistive
Technology (AT)?
- Websites
-Googling
-Facebook
-Google play
- Appstore
-Magazines
-Word of mouth
- AT Officer

41. Assistive technology Atindit.tumblr.com

42. Synopsis of how AT can help you...
 Find the essay assignment
 Understanding the essay title
 Plan your time
 Brainstorming
 Research
 Gather
 Organise
 Create
 Content
 Bibliography
 Store
 Proof read

43. Assistive technology
Questions
and
Answers

44. The Disability Service
1. Contact your Learning Support Officeer
(LSO)
Assistive ...Bring your technology
documentation...
2. Contact your Assistive Technology Officer
(ATO)
More information at:
http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/disability/contactus/