WriteOnline Frequently Asked Questions
Using on and offline
What happens if my Internet connection goes down while I am using
WriteOnline?
You can carry on using the program as normal. The only difference is that you
won't be able to open or save files to your online folders. Instead, you can
save files to your local computer.
How can I start WriteOnline without an Internet connection?
If you've logged in to WriteOnline within the past three days on this computer,
just double-click on the desktop shortcut or start menu link and WriteOnline
will run.
Networks and firewalls
In order to keep our network secure, students using the computers on
our network have very limited access to the computers. Will WriteOnline still
work?
It depends on a number of factors. There may be one or more one-off tasks that
need to be done by the network administrator first. For example, if Java is not
installed on your computers, the network administrator will need to do this, as
the automatic installation can't be done if the student does not have sufficient
rights. This is a simple job, and we have details on our website how to roll
Java out to the entire network in one go.
Our firewall is very stringent on what it lets through. Will this
stop WriteOnline working?
Most schools using WriteOnline have not had firewall issues. Where there have
been issues, we have been able to resolve them quickly.
How easy is it to obtain support?
Our support team are here to help by email or phone from 9am to 5pm Monday –
Friday. In addition, our support website is available 24/7.
Word processor
Can I change the default font and line spacing for a particular
student?
Yes – these are User Preferences that are automatically saved for the individual
student, so it is remembered every time the program starts.
Can I increase size of the toolbar?
There are two sizes, large and small. The default is small. The size is saved as
a User Preference.
Predictor
How do I make the predictor fit different ability levels?
The predictor level is set as a User Preference for the individual user. You can
change between four levels with just one click, or you can fine tune it by
individually setting a number of options, such as the size of the predictor
database (from 250 words to 60,000 words), the size of the font, and the number
of words predicted.
Can I add words to the predictor?
Words that are in any Wordbar that is currently open are automatically used in
the predictor. So if you are working on a document about a specific topic and
you have a relevant Wordbar open, all those words will be predicted too. The
words are used by the predictor only while the Wordbar file is open (although it
can be minimized or hidden by another Wordbar), so that the predictor uses the
words only while you are working on this topic.
Do I have to use the mouse to access the predictor?
In addition to the mouse, you also have the choice of using your numeric keypad
or the main number keys. You can change the keyboard options with a single click
on the main screen. The predictor is also switch accessible (see Accessibility
section).
How does the speech work with the predictor?
To hear any word in the prediction list, either right-click with the mouse, or
hold Ctrl while you press the relevant number key. Students can keep trying
words until they find the one they want.
One of my students doesn't like his friends to see he needs help. Is
there anything he can do?
Both the predictor and the Wordbar can be individually minimized with a single
click, and each can be made available again with a single click too.
I have a student who would be confused by grammatical prediction. Can
I turn this off, so that words are only predicted once he has started to type a
word?
Yes. In addition to selecting one of the four prediction levels, if you click on
the 'Custom' button you can fine tune every aspect of the prediction, including
whether you not you want the next word predicted before you have started typing
it.
Accessibility
Is it possible to make all Wordbars and documents appear in high
contrast colours, to make them accessible for users with visual impairments?
Yes – in the accessibility options you can set colours and fonts that will
override all other settings.
How extensive are the scanning options?
There are very extensive options for both one and two-switch scanning. You can
set detailed timing options, including debounce and acceptance delays. There is
also a wide range of options for the way the cells are scanned, plus you can set
sound options, including an auditory scan.
Can I make an onscreen keyboard available every time I start?
Yes, having chosen which onscreen keyboard to use, you can opt to have it
opening automatically every time you start the program.
Wordbars
How many Wordbars can I open at once?
There is no limit to the number of Wordbars you can have open. Each one is
available with a single click on its tab along the bottom of the Wordbar area.
Can I edit the layout of a Wordbar?
There are extensive editing options when you are in Wordbar Edit Mode. It is
very intuitive to resize columns, add rows and columns, merge cells, etc. You
can colour-code individual or groups of cells as well as the tabs themselves.
And there's a multiple-level 'Undo' feature.
Can I add, move, or delete a tab?
You can do all three of these very easily in Edit Mode.
How easy is it to change or add a word in Wordbar?
You don't even have to go into Edit Mode to change the text. Just hold Shift,
and click on the cell you want to change. You can turn this feature off if you
don't want your students to have access to this.
When I have created a Wordbar, what's the easiest way of making that
Wordbar available to my students?
Save the Wordbar to your Online folders, then go into your school's
LearningGrids World site (the site is set up for you when you first subscribe to
WriteOnline). Now simply copy the file into the folders of your students. With
enhancements we are currently making to LearningGrids World, this will soon be
even easier!
While using Wordbar or the predictor, if a student enters a whole
word by mistake, is there a quick way of deleting it?
Just use the 'Delete Word' tool on the Wordbar toolbar.
I have a student who needs the same words every time he uses the
program. How can I easily make these words available?
You can have a Wordbar opening automatically every time the program starts for
this student. As well as being available in the Wordbar, the words will also
appear in the predictor.
Do words have to be alphabetically sorted, or can I order them as I
want?
It's your choice – you can have them alphabetically sorted, randomly sorted, or
not sorted at all.
Can I add tooltips to Wordbar cells?
It's easy to add tooltips to any cell in Edit Mode.
Can I make tooltips speak?
You can't make tooltips speak. Instead, set up a text bubble. These stay on the
screen until closed by the user, and they have a speak button.
How do I access ready-made Wordbars?
Click on the 'FREE Resources' button in Wordbar Explorer. Then you can browse
through the many free files available from our LearningGrids World website and
open them just like opening one of your own Wordbars. Wordbars are available in
a wide variety of subject areas, and more are added every two weeks.
Subscriptions
If I buy a school subscription, how many students can have a login?
Provided your school is on a single site, all the students in your school get a
login.
I work in a service that supports students in more than one school.
Can I buy one subscription for all my students?
There are many Support Services with WriteOnline subscriptions. Please contact
us for a price.
Can more than one student use the same login?
No. Each login is strictly personal to the individual student. Logins may never
be shared, as this is contrary to the license agreement, and is a security risk
for your users, who would be giving others access to their online folders.
Managing logins and online folders
What happens first when my school subscribes to WriteOnline?
Within a few days of receiving your order, we set up your own LearningGrids
World website. All you need to do then is to import a list of your students and
teachers, and you're ready to go.
How are the logins set up for my students?
The easiest way is to import a list of all your students into your LearningGrids
World website. If you wish, you can supply usernames and passwords in this list.
Alternatively, usernames and passwords are created automatically.
How do students log in to WriteOnline?
They go to www.learninggrids.com,
enter their username and password, and click 'Launch WriteOnline'.
How can I delete, rename or move files in my online folders?
There are easy file management tools in your LearningGrids World website. |
