Reflections on Research on Writing and Technology for Struggling Writers

Abstract

In this article, I discuss research on the use of technology to support the writing of students with learning disabilities. Struggling writers can benefit from a wide range of computer applications for writing. Word processing, spelling checkers, word prediction, and speech recognition offer support for transcription and revision. Word processing also opens up opportunities for more meaningful publication of writing. Outlining programs and concept mapping software can help with planning. New forms of writing, including Internet chat, blogs, multimedia, and wikis, have not been studied extensively, but they may offer both opportunities and challenges to struggling writers. In addition to describing the research, I try to articulate some general themes and principles that I hope will be helpful to both teachers and researchers.