What is it?
Co:Writer is an assistive technology tool designed to support writing for students with a wide range of learning needs, including those with disabilities. It uses word prediction, grammar support, and speech-to-text features to help students generate text more easily and accurately. Co:Writer offers topic-specific vocabulary, real-time spelling correction, and flexible access through computers, tablets, and Chromebooks, making writing more accessible for students who struggle with spelling, grammar, or the mechanics of writing.
How to use it?
To use Co:Writer, students begin typing or speaking into the program, which then predicts words and phrases based on their input, offering suggestions they can select to complete their thoughts. Educators can customize settings to match each student's needs, such as adjusting the reading level of predictions, enabling voice input, or selecting topic dictionaries to support academic writing. Students use Co:Writer across a variety of writing tasks—from composing sentences and essays to responding to questions—allowing them to focus on expressing ideas rather than getting stuck on spelling or grammar challenges.
Why use it?
Using Co:Writer in an inclusive classroom promotes equity by providing students with disabilities the tools they need to participate fully in writing activities alongside their peers. It reduces barriers related to transcription difficulties, builds writing confidence, and helps students focus on content and ideas rather than mechanical skills. By supporting independence and access to written expression, Co:Writer empowers all students to share their knowledge, creativity, and voice, helping to create a more inclusive, supportive learning environment.
