How do you plan, write and proofread your work? With these programmes, you can take the stress out of every stage of the writing process.
Microsoft Lens
Part of the Microsoft suite, Office Lens turns your phone into a mobile scanner. Use it to read books out loud, scan documents or capture whiteboard drawings.
- Send scanned documents anywhere
- Save straight to your OneDrive or even convert to a Word document.
- Built-in Immersive Reader tool uses text-to-speech to read back instantly.
Help & how to get started:
- Microsoft Lens is available for download from the App Store (iOS) or the Play Store.
Grammarly
Grammarly is a free contextual proofreading tool. Its advanced grammar, spelling and punctuation facility helps correct mistakes and improve grammar. Each suggested correction comes with a short explanation which can be expanded to give more detail and show examples.
- Intuitive grammar and spellchecker that works in the background
- Give suggestions to improve the style of writing and richness of vocabulary, so you can improve written work overtime
- Send a summary of regular errors to enable the user to improve over time
- Use in the context of the sentence to detect word confusion
- Works across almost all online platforms used for writing e.g. email, social media, Google Docs etc.
User notice: Many of Grammarly's features are still in development and users should be aware that suggestions may be inaccurate for STEM academic writing. Users should also avoid uploading sensitive information into the service.
Help & how to get started:
- Grammarly is available for download from the Grammarly website.
Spellex
Spellex is a comprehensive spell checker and medical dictionary which runs in the background while you are using Microsoft Word.
- Improves the spell checking vocabulary of Microsoft Office to include a huge range of medical or industry specific terminology
- Provides powerful dictionary and thesaurus tools
- Especially useful for people with dyslexia, allowing more time to focus on the content of written work without worrying about spelling
Help & how to get started:
- Spellex is available via Windows on College PCs.
- More information can be found on the Spellex website.
Global AutoCorrect
Global autocorrect immediately corrects spelling mistakes while you type with no need to stop. It works wherever you are typing e.g. Word, email, Facebook etc.
Help & how to get started:
- Global Autocorrect is available to download from the Software Hub.
- More information can be found on the Global Autocorrect website.
More helpful videos:
Dictation.io
Dictation.io is a simple website that accurately transcribes your speech to text in real-time. You can add paragraphs, punctuation marks and even smileys using voice commands. A set of headphones with a built-in microphone is recommended to improve accuracy.
Help & how to get started:
- io is available for use via Dictation.io
MyScript Calculator
MyScript is a conversion tool that turns hand-draw Maths calculations, text and diagrams into digital files and is sent to Latex, Word or PowerPoint. The app can also be accessed on a phone or tablet where it may be easier to write text and equations.
Help & how to get started:
- MyScript can be downloaded from the MyScript website.
PhotoMath
Photomath is a versatile app available on iOS and Android. The user can scan a maths problem in text or handwriting, and it will display the outcome and the method used in easy, definable steps. Having the steps explained helps users to become familiar with the procedures of solving mathematical equations.
Help & how to get started:
- Photomath can be downloaded from the Photomath website.
EquatIO
EquatIO is a Google Chrome extension that helps the user to write mathematical formulae by hand, type or speech recognition. It is then possible to edit and interact with the formula or equations in Google Docs
- Easy to navigate toolbar sits at the bottom of the screen
- Equation editor pops up horizontally above the toolbar
- LaTeX editor allows you to transcribe mathematical expressions into LaTeX
- Insert math operators, symbols, functions and Greek letters
- Input mathematical expressions through handwriting e.g. using a mouse or touch screen laptop
Help and how to get started:
- EquatIO is available for download on the Google Chrome web store.
Post-It Note App
The Post-It note app allows you to capture up to 200 handwritten sticky notes and organise them on your phone or tablet. You can then combine groups together and organise your thoughts on boards along with adding digital notes to existing boards. These can then be exported as a text file, PowerPoint, PDF etc.
Help & how to get started:
- Post-It Note can be downloaded from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).