Using WordQ with different learners
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(With many thanks to Sherri Parkins at Seneca College, Toronto)
Even though WordQ is very simple to use, it is a good idea to actually
train your learner(s) to use it. Time spent at the beginning going
through the basics is generally time well spent. You may want to
offer a series of 4 or 5 mini-sessions (5 10 minutes) in order to
maintain interest and focus.
For example, you could show your learner(s) how to:
Set up their user name and save it
Choose a comfortable font size and style
Choose a voice
Practice moving the prediction box
Practice predicting words
Setting up a user name and saving
First ask the learner to open WordQ. Then:
Find and click on the Options button (far left of WordQ's tool bar).
Click on menu item "New User."
Choose a vocabulary, such as "Canadian Intermediate" and then click
on Next.
Type in a name (overtyping *.wdq") such as the learner's own name
making sure it is spelled correctly.
Now ask them to click Save to save this user file, either onto the
default location presented on the computer, or a flash drive/memory
stick if you use one.
If the learner saves their vocabulary on a
flash drive/memory stick make sure they put this into the computer
before using WordQ the next time.
You may want to practice this again, so that your learners begin to
do this automatically.
If you are using WordQ with a class you can encourage some
interaction and/or competition by asking questions, e.g.,
How many items are there on the tool bar?"
Hands up when you've found the Option button"
What do you ALWAYS do when you've finished? (Save)
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Choosing font sizes and styles
The font size and style set by default is designed to suit most
people in most circumstances. If you feel your learner(s) would not
benefit from experimenting with fonts, then skip this section!
Depending on your learners , you might want to discuss what a font
is, where they can find different ones, how many different ones
there are in the classroom, their book(s), etc.. Some learners may
know the names of some fonts. They may be able to talk about styles
they like and dislike, even if in a very general way, e.g., "I don't
like squiggly kind of writing because it's difficult to read.
Newspaper type writing is boring."
Then ask the learner(s) to:
Open WordQ if it is not already running.
Go to Options, find and click on Predictions...
Click on the Font button
Ask the learners to choose a size and style they prefer.
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Choosing a voice
Again, some learners might get too easily distracted by this section
and you might want to skip it. However, they generally find it quite
good fun so it can be a motivating, if noise, few minutes!
1.
Open WordQ if it is not already running.
2.
Go to Options, find and click on Speech Feedback...
3.
Let the learner(s) try the various voices. They can hear an example
sentence read by pressing the Try button. Note that WordQ will show
all voices installed on the computer, but not all may work work
properly with WordQ. In particular, do not use any IBM ViaVoice
voices.
4.
You could ask the learner(s) to compare which voice they thing is
funniest, weirdest, easiest to understand, before finally settling
down to choose the voice they prefer. The default Acapela "Heather"
voice or "Microsoft Mary" are recommended as being the clearest.
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Moving the Prediction Box
 The default setting in WordQ is for the prediction box to follow the
cursor. However, if you are using quite a lot of text, especially
web pages, you may find that this gets in the way with the box
covering the text you want to read. Some people also prefer to have
the box always in a fixed place so that they can look for
suggestions in a constant location.
Ask your learner(s) to:
1. Open a word processor, such as Microsoft Word and then open WordQ
2. Go to Options, find and click on Predictions...
3. Click on the Leave in place radio button
4. Ask your learners to type a few letters, e.g., he
Now ask your learner(s) to practice moving the prediction box by
clicking on its titlebar and dragging it. Have them try out
different locations to find one that they like best. The bottom
right-hand corner of the screen is a common preference.
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Practice predicting words
WordQ is what is called 'intelligent' software, i.e., it learns from
the user. The more you use WordQ, the more WordQ learns about the
way you write (as long as you always save your user profile).
This means that the more you use WordQ, the better it gets at
predicting what you want to say.
Ask your learner(s) to:
1.
Open a word processor, such as Microsoft Word and then open WordQ if
not already running.
2.
Open their own WordQ user file (Options>Open User...) if it does not
open with their file (which may be the case in a classroom with
multiple students sharing WordQ on a computer. WordQ will show the
current user file in its titlebar.
Now ask your learner(s) to type a word (prepare a list of words that
commonly cause confusion e.g., friend, symbolic, beautiful, etc.)
Now ask your learner(s) to:
1.
Type one letter at a time and look at the word lists that appear.
2.
How long does it take to get to the word?
3.
Ask the learners to select the word
4.
Now ask them to type the word again, and watch the prediction box
again.
5.
How long does it take for the word to appear this time?
Repeat the process again and show your learner(s) how WordQ is
'learning' this word for them. This is what it will do with all of
their words.
You can set a challenge, asking the learner(s) to see how quickly
they can go to the words you've suggested, in teams or individually.
You can ask them to set words for each other too.
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