Quick Guide to Co:Writer SE
The contents of this packet reflect features of Co:Writer Solo Edition on Windows XP.
There may be some differences in appearance or tools if using other versions of Co:Writer.
Launching the Program
Double-click the Co:Writer icon that appears on the computer’s Desktop.
Alternatively, select Co:Writer from the Start Menu on the computer. If the application was purchased alone, it
may be listed in a folder entitled Co:Writer SE. If it was installed as part of the full Solo package, look for the
Co:Writer SE icon in the Solo folder.
Once the program launches, a user name must be selected. Choose a name from the available list and click OK.
Click on “Teacher Sign In…” to manage student writer files. Click on “New Writer…” to enter the wizard and
create additional writer files.
This will appear when
signing in as a Teacher. Click
“New” to create a new
teacher with the password
found in the front cover of
the manual.
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Quick Guide to Co:Writer SE
Creating a New User
The New User Wizard will appear the first time Co:Writer is launched after installation. New writers can also
be created by clicking on “New Writer” in the sign in box. Once the user’s name is entered, the wizard will
guide you through a series of questions to configure the writer’s options.
Starting Co:Writer
Once a writer file is launched, Co:Writer will prompt the user to launch an associated program. Co:Writer
works with programs that accept keyboard input. This means it can be used with word processors, email
applications, or even the text tools found in drawing programs.
The message on the left prompts the user to launch a program or document. This can be done by selecting a
program from the Start menu or launching a file that already exists.
From Start Menu
Existing File
If an existing file is selected, be sure to place the cursor where new text should be inserted. This is the location
where Co:Writer will place the word or sentence that is typed. Click the Co:Writer Button to enter Co:Writer
and begin typing.
Click here
when the
cursor is in
the correct
starting
position.
Cursor position
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Typing with Co:Writer
Co:Writer will display a word, sentence, or paragraph window based upon the individual writer’s settings. Word
windows appear next to the cursor in whichever program was launched. Sentence and paragraph windows
appear in a static window, usually at the bottom of the computer screen.
Word
window
Sentence or
Paragraph window
Keystrokes will result in a list of predicted words. Use the mouse or the arrow keys to listen to words that are
unfamiliar. Type a number to insert the prediction into the sentence. In the Sentence window displayed to the
left, typing “3” would replace “revuloosh” with “Revolutionary War”. In the Word window on the right, typing
“2” would insert “Revolutionary”. For most users, a space is automatically inserted after a prediction is used.
Mouse over a word in the
list to hear it pronounced
The Co:Writer Panel
When Co:Writer is active, the Co:Writer Panel will be displayed. It
usually appears on the upper-right side of the computer screen. Three
icons are available at the top of the panel. Additional commands and tools
can be viewed by clicking on the blue arrows in the bottom of the panel.
The Hide icon temporarily disables Co:Writer so that work can be
performed elsewhere on the computer.
The More icon is used to display additional predictions. This is helpful when a desired word is not displayed in
the initial list of predictions. The same result can be obtained by using the right arrow on the keyboard.
The Erase icon is used to remove the last typed word or the last prediction that was inserted. It works like a
Backspace key, but affects a whole word or phrase rather than one letter. The same result can be obtained by
using the left arrow on the keyboard. Students who frequently use the arrow keys for navigation should be
cautioned about this key action, since they can quickly undo a significant amount of writing.
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Hiding Co:Writer
At times it will be necessary to work in the secondary program, rather than Co:Writer. In these cases Co:Writer
should be hidden. Click on the Hide icon to temporarily disable the program. When hidden, the Co:Writer
button will appear onscreen. Clicking the button will unhide Co:Writer so that it can be used again. The +/= key
can also be used to unhide Co:Writer.
The Button
Co:Writer may also hide itself automatically when a user clicks on the writing space, menu, or icon. In those
instances Co:Writer may be minimized to the Windows Task Bar or display a small, blank word window
somewhere onscreen.
More Commands
Sentence – Reads the sentence that has been composed so far.
Speech Off – Mutes the program’s speech.
Quit – Allows the user to quit Co:Writer while other programs remain
open.
Undo – Undoes the last keystroke or insertion.
Send – Sends the contents of your prediction window to the secondary
program.
True – True Keys mode – this is needed to type numbers or for periods that
appear mid-sentence (as in email addresses). The Escape key serves the
same function.
Prefix – Displays predictions for prefixes that can be added to subsequent
roots.
Suffix – Displays suffixes that can be added to preceding roots.
Settings – Gives the user access to various options for the display,
prediction list, and speech.
Home – Quickly allows a user to access more advanced options or other
user files. This is most useful for viewing and editing the dictionaries that
are being used.
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Settings Panels
Topic Dictionaries
Topic dictionaries are specialized word lists that can be activated on an as-needed basis. Users may select from
a number of preinstalled dictionaries or create their own by simple copy-and-paste actions. Click on the blue
arrow in the Co:Writer Panel to display the Topic Dictionaries window. If any dictionaries are activated, they
will be listed in the pane. Users may have as many as ten topic dictionaries active at the same time, but it is best
to activate only those needed for a given topic.
No topics are
currently active.
These topics are
currently active.
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Click on Select to view a listing of available topics. The left-hand pane shows the various categories that are
available, while the right-hand pane shows the dictionaries.
Click on a dictionary name to view a description in the comment box at the
bottom.
Click in the small box to activate a topic dictionary. Again, up to ten topic
dictionaries can be active at a given time.
American English Dictionaries are available for download at
http://www.donjohnston.com/. Don Johnston’s dictionaries are occasionally
numbered. Typically, these denote basic and advanced versions for a topic.
The advanced dictionaries (e.g., Amer Revolution 2) contain the same terms as
the basic version (e.g., Amer Revolution 1) in addition to more detailed words
or phrases.
eWord Bank
The eWord Bank is active whenever topic dictionaries are being utilized. The word bank
can be used to generate ideas and prompt students on a wider variety of words. Twenty
words are displayed based on the “weight” of a word in the dictionary (or dictionaries).
Weight simply refers to the frequency at which a word has been used.
The eWord Bank allows users to view three types of words: Nouns & Names, Verbs,
and Adjectives. Users can click on a word in the listing to have it read aloud by the
program.
Viewing and Editing Dictionaries
Co:Writer makes use of a wide variety of word lists, all of which are referred to as dictionaries
even though definitions are not available for the available words. These dictionaries can be
viewed when logged in as a Teacher or by clicking the Home icon in the Co:Writer Panel.
Main – This is a dictionary that always runs. It may be viewed, but not edited in any manner.
Topics – These dictionaries may be viewed and edited. Topic dictionaries may also personalized or
shared among all users.
Personal – This is a dictionary of words specific to a specific writer. Use this dictionary to store names,
hobbies, and other personal vocabulary.
Collected – This dictionary serves as a holding area for vocabulary that is not stored in the previously
listed dictionaries. Use this to look for common errors in a writer’s keystrokes. This dictionary can be
configured to automatically make new words appear in the prediction list, if appropriate.
Recent – This dictionary keeps track of recently typed/selected words or phrases.
Select a writer from the drop-down list (the window to the left indicates that settings are for Scott D) and click on the
Vocabulary icon to view various dictionaries used by Scott D. Click on the tabs to view the contents and options for each
type of dictionary shown below.
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Quick Guide to Co:Writer SE
Dictionary Options
Main
Topics
Click “View Dictionary”
to see full contents.
Click “View/Edit” to
make changes. A
window will appear
asking whether the
changes should be saved
as a new, personalized
dictionary.
Personal
Collected
Click “Edit” to make
changes to the contents
of this dictionary.
Click on “Collect New
Words” to save unique
words or keystrokes.
Click on “Predict
Collected Words” to add
them to prediction
instantly. Click “Edit” to
make changes to the
dictionary.
Recent
Click on “Favor
Recent Words” or
“Favor Recent
Phrases” to repeat
previously used
predictions. Click
“Edit” to make
changes to the
dictionary.
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Quick Guide to Co:Writer SE
Editing Dictionaries
The window to the right appears whenever the user opts to edit a
dictionary’s contents. Contents are listed in the left pane in bold print.
Additional information is viewable by clicking the Grammar icon or
checking the Zoom In radio button.
Add a word to a dictionary by typing it in the Word field and clicking
Add Word (or pressing Enter).
Change an existing word by selecting it in the left pane and then clicking
Change. Similarly, delete an existing word by selecting it in the left pane
and clicking Delete.
Click Save and Done to retain your changes and return to the dictionary
listings.
Creating Dictionaries
Click on Create in the Topic Dictionaries section of the Panel. A new window will
appear so that the dictionary can be named. Click OK once the dictionary has been
named. The Create Topic Dictionary window will appear. Copy text from another
document (Edit | Copy or CTRL+C) and then paste the text into the Create Topic
Dictionary window (Edit | Paste or CTRL+V). Click “Create Topic Dictionary” to
complete the dictionary. It is advisable to view and edit the created dictionary to ensure
no strange characters, misspellings, or other errors are present.
Questions
Scott A. Dougherty
Educational Specialist, Assistive Technology
475 East Waterfront Drive
Homestead, PA 15120-1144
Work: (412) 394-1375
Fax: (412) 394-5992
E-mail: [email protected]
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