Microsoft® Word AutoCorrect

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Autocorrect can be set up to fix commonly misspelled or mistyped words. Microsoft® Word 98 AutoCorrect (Microsoft) © 1983-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Screenshot reprinted by permission from Microsoft Corporation.

Many other programs are available through computer stores and catalogs. If a child is learning keyboarding because of difficulty with fine motor skills, it is important to use a program that does not emphasize speed over accuracy. The best programs include the option to turn features (such as time) on and off. Word processors with speech synthesis built in can also be used to help children learn to type by setting them to speak the letters as they are typed (for example, My Words, CAST eReader, or Write:OutLoud), thus providing immediate feedback.

Typing programs help students build automaticity, and using a word processor supports routine writing at the level of letter entry. But the current writing toolbox provides varied support for higher level routine actions as well. Students with writing difficulties often misspell common words and phrases that they need to use frequently. Two features found in many word processors -abbreviation expansion and word prediction-can speed text entry and improve accuracy. With abbreviation expansion, the user types a predetermined abbreviation for a word or phrase and the abbreviation is automatically expanded, or typed on screen, into the complete word or phrase. The AutoCorrect feature in Microsoft Word serves this function. In addition to its more usual application of correcting common typing errors, users can enter abbreviations for words or phrases. When the abbreviation is typed, Microsoft Word will automatically expand it to the full word or phrase.

AutoCorrect exemplifies universal design in that it is customizable and operates only if the writer chooses to use it. A teacher or parent can work with a student to choose words and phrases and select their abbreviations to facilitate written expression. AutoCorrect can also be used to correct common misspellings or typing errors as the student is writing. The learning context, however, is important. If the purpose of a writing session is to help the student to learn to spell correctly, AutoCorrect should be turned off. If the purpose is to produce an accurately spelled document for a content-area assignment, AutoCorrect should be turned on.