3Q2011 Writers Workbench Better Writers through Instructional Computer Feedback.

3Q2011

Writer’s Writer’s WorkbenchWorkbench

Better Writers throughBetter Writers throughInstructional Computer FeedbackInstructional Computer Feedback

3Q2009

Background / Overview Presentation available at - writersworkbench.com/documentation/WWBOverview.pps

Demonstration (Please ask questions)

Hands-on training

Please visit our website for more information and see Betty Musgrave or appropriate technician for your at-home copy of Writer’s Workbench


Presentation / Presentation / Training AgendaTraining Agenda

Visit our website at www.writersworkbench.com

Designed originally by AT&T Bell Labs to help developers write more effective documentation on their developments

Brought to education through AT&T’s seeding program via Colorado State U, U of Wisconsin, Glenbard West High School, North Iowa Area Community College, and others

Enhanced many times, then, re-created to interactively analyze documents created and revised in Word


OriginsOrigins


A set of toolsset of tools that helps students, authors, writing tutors, and instructors learn and teach writing skills

26 programsprograms designed to analyzeanalyze writers’ documents as they write and revise in Microsoft Word

29 interactive exercisesinteractive exercises (STEPS) which teach students skills in different areas of writing

A referencereference that provides correct usage of over 800 of the most commonly misused words and phrases

A powerful tool that helps high school and college students with writing mechanics

What isWhat isWriter’s Writer’s

Workbench Workbench Now?Now?


3Q2011

Operates on a Stand Alone PCStand Alone PCOperates in a Writing LabWriting LabOperates in MicrosoftMicrosoft®® Word: Word:Word 2000, Word XP, Word 2003, Word 2007, and Word 2010

Operates with MicrosoftMicrosoft®® Windows:Windows:Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7Mac version coming soon – Word 2011Is very reasonably priced



3Q2009

Double-click on the Writer’s Workbench icon to start Word and load Writer’s Workbench programs and tools



3Q2009

Provides access to the Analysis Programs menu

Provide easy access to the Spell Checker, Thesaurus, and Word Count programs included with Microsoft Word

Finds subsequent occurrences of words or phrases found by WordSearch on the Analysis Toolbar

Provide an easy mechanism to hide and reveal quotes, dialogues, and references from statistical analyses and “hide/reveal help”

The Writer’s The Writer’s Workbench Workbench

Composition Composition RibbonRibbon

Provides access to the STEPS exercises menu

Provides a tool for toggling between writers’ compositions and their analyses


3Q2009

Provides an easily indexed access to correct usageof over 800 commonly misused words and phrases

Provides access to Writer's Workbench Help

Finds, in the writers’ compositions, the first occurrence of any word or phrase highlighted in the analysis

A powerful tool that inserts more information and examples of how writers might revise their documents

Provides an easy-to-use mechanism for formatting and printing Writer’s Workbench Analyses

Closes the analysis immediately without asking to save changes

The Writer’s The Writer’s Workbench Workbench

Analysis RibbonAnalysis Ribbon


Quickly reruns that analysis after writers make suggested revisions

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3Q2009

Writer’s Writer’s Workbench Workbench

Analysis SetsAnalysis SetsThe writer clicks the "Analysis Programs" button to get this menu. Then, he or she clicks on the button for the desired program set to run the analyses.

26 Writer's Workbench Analysis programs provide feedback directly to the writer. The analyses are organized in six groups, covering topics of overall scope to proofreading areas of writing.

1. Content 2. Characteristics 3. Verbs

4. Clarity 5. Words 6. Punctuation


Assessment Settings and Assessment Scores Module

3Q2009


Composition & Composition & AnalysisAnalysis

In a few seconds after the writer clicks on the button to initiate the program, the analysis will appear in the screen to the right of the student's composition.

Writers may make either the analysis screen or the composition screen active as they analyze and revise their compositions by clicking on the or button.


3Q2009

Writer’s Writer’s Workbench Workbench “MoreInfo”“MoreInfo”

“MoreInfo” is available to authors who would like additional information or examples on how they might revise their compositions based on the analysis.

Examples, rules, and more information are inserted directly into the analyses to guide authors through the revision process.

A second push of this button directs the author to consult the appropriate STEPS exercise.


3Q2009

SSelf-elf-TTutoringutoring EExploration andxploration and

PPreparationreparation SStepsteps

Each STEPSSTEPS document describes the information provided in an analysis and, in a two-column presentation, provides instruction in the left column and activities /exercises in the right column.

These instructional programs prepare authors to identify whether or not revisions are needed and enable them to make needed revisions.

Manual Website


3Q2009


STEPSSTEPS ExampleExample

29 different STEPS exercisesguide authors through differentareas of writingThese documents teach authors how to interpret Writer’s Workbench analyses and how to use the analyses’ guidance to improve the mechanics of their compositions.Authors move through STEPS via the vertical STEPS navigation bar on the right of the screen.Answers to the exercises appear on the next page of the STEPS program.


3Q2009

Writer’s Writer’s Workbench Workbench WordUseWordUse

WordUse provides correct usageof over 800 commonly misused words and phrases.

Type the first couple of letters ofthe word or phrase in questionand the screen will scroll to thatentry.

Click on Display to display helpfor that word or phrase.

The index for WordUse providescross-references for many of thewords. For example, there are entries for both “accept” & “except” and “except” & “accept” or “affect” & “effect” and “effect” & “affect.”


3Q2009

Writer’s Writer’s Workbench Workbench Analyzing Analyzing

Selected TextSelected TextThe writer can analyze aportion of his or her documentby selecting text to analyze.

The writer must select at least50 words.

Writers find this selectioncapability useful in focusingon new text and changes intheir compositions.

Writers working on long compositions use this feature to “divide and conquer.”


Assessment Assessment Module SettingsModule Settings

Writer’s Writer’s Workbench Workbench Assessment Assessment

ScoresScoresTeachers with appropriate computer permissions can set thresholds and corresponding messages for given grade levels and/or assignments

Students are provided with goal and suggestion if their statisticsdo not meet your standards

This document can be printed and included in students’ portfolios

Statistics can be logged to a network file to track writing improvement

A great place to start

IF THE ASSESSMENT SCORES PROVIDE TOO MUCH

INFORMATION, SELECT A FEW

Writer’s Writer’s Workbench Workbench Pet Peeves Pet Peeves

EditorEditorAdd contractions like “LOL” or problematic phrases like “yea hey dare”

Change suggestions if our default suggestions are not appropriate for your students

Include or exclude contractions

Include or exclude double negatives

Remove entries that you don’t want flagged as potential errors

Your “Teacher-At-Home” software will allow you to make these modifications; work with tech’s and administrators to allow changes

3Q2011


WebsiteWebsite


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WWBWWB On-Line On-Line DocumentationDocumentation


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WWB can be used in many ways

Documentation and Tutorials on the WWB website

Learn what feedback each of the analyses can provide for your students (print the Quick Guide)

Some analyses will be much more valuable than others

The Assessment Scores module is a great place to start

Become familiar with Assessment Settings

How do you How do you fold WWB into fold WWB into

Your Your Curriculum?Curriculum?


3Q2011

Bring the rough drafts to the writing lab

Double-click on the WWB icon on the desktop to start Word and load the WWB tools

Then, open the document to be analyzed

Theme and student identifier lines are required

Run the Assessment Scores analysis

How to get How to get started using started using



3Q2011

Have the student print the Assessment Scores analysis

Have the student close the Assessment Scores analysis

Review the scores on that analysis with the student

Let the other analyses guide the writers to make all of the statistics in the Assessment Scores acceptable

If you use advanced features, you can set your own acceptable scores through appropriate standards

How to get How to get started using started using



3Q2011


available for available for home usehome use

Students, instructors, and authors can purchase WWB for home use!

Writer’s Workbench is easy to order through our secure web site or through a toll-free call to (888) 366-8326

Price: $100.00


3Q2011

THANK YOU…THANK YOU…

Writer’s Writer’s WorkbenchWorkbenchGreg Oij - [email protected]

(630) 548-4219 Direct(888) 366-8326 Toll-Free

www.writersworkbench.com

“Review: A proverb summarizes our reaction to Writer's Workbench: "Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have

fed him for a lifetime."” ... write-better-english.com

3Q2011 Writers Workbench Better Writers through Instructional Computer Feedback.

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Transcript of 3Q2011 Writers Workbench Better Writers through Instructional Computer Feedback.