G2 TechTools Writing
G2 TechTools Writing
Directions: Survey the various technological tools for teaching the topic assigned to your group. Then complete the table below
with the necessary information. Explain where and how each tool could be used for language teaching under the column on
Annotations.
TOPIC/MACROSKILL: WRITING
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
● Some components
designed it to be a one-stop- students to draw inspiration from may not be practical
shop for easy collaboration. the variety of media collected in for classroom use.
Thus, the program has several the workspace. Different style
features that give their users text/font require an
flexible means to express Engages visual learners.
upgrade to premium.
ideas. Its main features ● Comments can only
Features can give students ideas:
include: be seen by other
● Essay structure participants in the
Main Features:
● Sequencing of information sidebar.
● Switch between Hand ● Discover and connect
related ideas Not suitable for participants
Tool and Move Tool
under 13 since they can
● Marker
Flowchart feature can train freely make changes and
● Flow Diagrams
students for systematic thinking may derail discussions.
● Sticky Notes
which is essential for writing with
(Extends vertically Synchronous
logical sequences.
if space is
insufficient) Suitable for product-based tasks ● Although the
● Add Text (Size in writing with its creative and interface is simple it
customizable to diverse tools and templates. will still take
Normal, Heading, participants time to
Subheading, Title) Synchronous tasks: adapt to all the
● Components features. It would be
● Immediate feedback from
(Editable stickers) advisable to allow
the teacher and peers.
● Upload Image students to adapt to
● Allows student driven
● Stamps & Emojis the interface before
interactions/ discussions.
● Cursor chat (A chat diving into
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bubble follows the ● Although it is innovative to
cursor) have students drive discussion.
● Comment – users discussions, teachers are ● Requires larger
can click anywhere free to design or choose bandwidth if
on the workspace from templates so participants exceed
and type in students can reference five (5).
comments. The from a reliable body of
No timer may prove difficult
comments will knowledge.
for students to keep to the
appear on a ● Students derailing
agenda.
sidebar to ensure discussions by adding
other users won’t unnecessary elements to Requires the students to
miss it the board can be locked have an account to
into ‘view’ mode instead collaborate. (Apps such as
Although the primary use is of ‘edit’ mode. Miro can be used twice
brainstorming, users can get
without an account.)
creative and use templates to Asynchronous tasks:
conduct other activities:
● Ice Breaker: Animal ● No timer, thus, students
Drawings are less pressured to
● Team Directory accomplish a task and
● Mood Board allow time for reflection.
● Gantt Chart (Plans ● More participation from
for Team) introverted students.
● Brainstorm Crazy ● Discussions will feel more
8’s natural.
● User Journey Map
User Friendliness
● Stand Up Template
● All features have
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● Brainstorm designated hotkeys
Template ● Most features are
● Collaborator Cards customizable and allow
● Flow Charts Primer flexibility in designing.
● Figma Ice Breaker ● Minimalistic interface
● Critique FigJam ● Cloud storage available
Template ● Work is automatically
● Emotional Journey saved.
Maps
● Mind Map
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and form new ideas. If photos
will help formulate ideas, the
user can easily copy an image
straight from google or their
local file. The user is free to
move elements around to suit
their thinking process. It’s
recommended that users set
up a template before inviting
other team members to
collaborate.
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
students will be able to
articulate their thoughts
faster.
Hemingway Editor ● Who created it? ● It is simple to use with its ● In the free version,
- Adam & Ben Long minimalist interface that the text cannot be
created Hemingway enables the students to exported into a file
Editor. navigate the website or unlike in the paid
● What are its uses? app easily. version.
- It is a writing and ● It can be used free ● Most of the
editing tool that is through their website or highlights do not
https://hemingwayapp.com designed to polish through their paid app, in provide suggestions
writing and to “make which users will only pay for the identified
your writing bold and once. In the free version, problems.
clear.” users can only copy and ● The website
- It identifies common paste their work in the unnecessarily
errors in writing, such site, whereas the one-time deletes most of the
as overuse of adverbs, payment paid version adverbs.
passive voice, and too allows users to work ● It is only suitable for
complex sentence offline, export their writing texts with
constructions. document, and directly short and tight
However, it must be publish on Medium or sentences. It is not
understood that the Wordpress. suitable for fiction
app merely suggests ● It can identify the common writing as it does not
and it is up to the user stylistic and grammatical acknowledge the
whether they will errors in edit mode as the writer's voice and
follow accordingly. students write for style.
● How does it work? immediate feedback. ● It can only be used in
- There are two modes: ● It has various features on independent writing
Write and Edit. Users the text such as the and not for
must toggle the switch reading level, estimated collaborative writing
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Write to begin writing. reading time, and length activities.
There are formatting for independent writing ● The highlights on the
options at the top to activities. The students are text cannot be
make your text bold or able to keep track of their ignored and can look
italic, set your writing. distracting.
headings using three ● It enables the students to ● The teachers are not
varying sizes, create a practice writing concisely able to track the
blockquote or a list by eliminating weak and progress of their
(either bulleted or unnecessary words, and students.
numbered), and to constructing simple yet
insert links. On the impactful sentences.
other hand, toggling ● Although the website has
the Edit button will limited features, it can still
reveal the features of be used for an editing
the website/app. It will activity. For instance, the
show the text’s teachers can provide a
readability level, text that the students
reading time, length, must edit under certain
and the number of standards.
errors found. It even
highlights the
problematic parts of
the text in different
colors:
1. Blue highlight is
for the adverbs
or qualifiers.
2. Green highlight
is for passive
voice.
3. Purple highlight
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is for complex
words that can
be replaced
with a simpler
word.
4. Yellow highlight
means the
sentence is
complex.
5. Red highlight
means the
sentence is too
“dense and
complicated”
and hard to
understand.
● How does it help teach
the macroskill/topic
assigned to you?
- It guides the students
to write in a concise
and comprehensive
manner. It discourages
them to use
unnecessary words
and to construct
complex sentences.
Fighter’s Block Who created it? The website does not have a Can only be used for the
grammar/spell checking feature, drafting part of the writing
Fighter’s Block is a website but considering its objective it is process and requires the
created by Yalun Rao. The not necessary. learner to have a good grasp
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on the topic already.
backgrounds are made by Conditions the user to write
Zack Alvarado, Luis Zuno despite their reservations with The editing process will be
(ansimuz). It is modified and the target language. solely on the instructor and
student using a different
used under CC-BY 3.0. The
Reveals gaps in knowledge and program.
plugins used are by Nicescroll,
understanding as the student
Select or Die, Tooltipster, No options for collaboration
writes.
Web link: favicon and finally icons are
http://cerey.github.io/fighters made by Sosa. Connection is not secure,
Their latest work is saved and can
-block/ (Data can be collected from
be viewed by clicking the
As observed, most the user.)
document icon below. Users can
contributors and even the exit the website and still have Although the work is saved
creator are listed under a their work saved. in the browser, it cannot be
pseudonym. exported. Students must
Requires low bandwidth to manually format it in
What are its uses? connect. another file.
Fighter’s Block assists the user The character’s HP Mobile use is not user
in creating a first draft by increases/decreases based on the friendly, the program may
disregarding grammar rules rate of words typed. Even if not even load. Students
and spelling, thus, the user students paste words from a without their own personal
can focus on the sole action of different document, it won’t computers/laptops cannot
expressing themselves increase the character’s HP. access it.
verbally.
Settings: The saved work icon has a
Features: time limit. Students must
- Minimalistic interface ● Adjusting the monster’s export their work
of a working space speed and strength can immediately.
below the pixelated train the student to think
character fighting the faster. No options for students to
monster. put pictures or anything
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● This may result in nothing other than text while using
Pause Button but a stream of bad ideas the program for inspiration.
- Students may pause but it gets the student’s
the game if they are thinking gears going. Poor customer support. The
feeling too pressured ● Customizing the layout creator is open for feedback
by the monster dealing according to the learner’s but speedy replies cannot be
damage to their preference can motivate expected.
character. them.
Player Button Cannot cater to diverse
- Users can view their learners (MY . Although the
stats and look for new method of writing nonsense
monsters to conquer. until something good comes
The user’s out works for some learners,
performance can earn others may feel pressured by
XP and can be used to the task and not find it
unlock new characters. enjoyable.
Settings
- Changes the attack
speed and strength of
the monster, to better
suit the writing
process.
- A faster monster deals
damage more quickly,
while a stronger one
deals more damage in
one blow.
- Layout and color
scheme could be
customized .
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
How does it work?
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some students feel that the
first draft is the final draft.
They must understand that
writing, much like any other
art, is a process. This website
can help students overcome
that wall of anxiety with a RPG
based experience. With
students focusing on defeating
a pixelated egg, their attention
won’t be on their faulty
structure, poor grammar, or
word choice. Although those
are important, the only way a
writer can improve is if they
have a draft to work with.
Quillbot Who created it? A clean and neat interface that is Artificial Intelligence Errors
easy to navigate
Launched in 2017, QuillBot is • As it uses machine learning
the first AI writing collaborator • For new users who have no to understand and enhance
that rewrites entire background knowledge of using its paraphrases, QuillBot can
Web link: paragraphs and refines an Artificial Intelligence make errors based on the
https://quillbot.com/ content. It was created by paraphrasing tool, having a clean training data and human
Rohan Gupta, Anil Jason, and and neat working interface is input it gathered.
David Silin to make writing impressive. Students and teachers
seamless for everyone. can benefit from this platform • It is important to note that
without any technical knowledge. AI-driven paraphrasing only
What are its uses? paraphrases by sentence, so
Accessible plagiarism could still be
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Quillbot was initially designed detected. But, the premium
as a full-sentence thesaurus • Since Quillbot is a web-based version can process up to
committed to helping students tool, students can access it seven sentences
and professionals to write anywhere and everywhere, which simultaneously.
more quickly and confidently. is pretty convenient if they want
to paraphrase a sentence or a Not accurate sometimes
Main features: paragraph.
• Quill modes • If a period is not placed
• Clean and neat interface Amazing Quill Modes between the end of a
• Web-based sentence and the first word
• Quillbot API • Quillbot provides seven modes of the following sentence,
• Extensions for paraphrasing and generating Quillbot will consider it a
content ( all modes are accessible single sentence.
How does it work? for premium users, while three
modes are limited in the free • In the case of line breaks
The user does not need an version) within a sentence, Quillbot
account to access the will treat them as two
Standard and Fluency modes, For free version users: separate sentences, which
and they can enter their text will change their meaning.
into the editor by pasting • Standard Mode: If students
them or upload a file and click choose this option, Quillbot will Limitations
"Paraphrase" to begin. Upon create text with the same
pasting the text and hitting meaning, making it sound more • Both the free and premium
the button, the new text will natural as possible. plans have character limits
appear in a few seconds,
already paraphrased. • Fluency: In this mode, the text
will be written with the fewest
How does it help teach the changes, making it sound more
macroskill/topic assigned to natural and grammatically
you? correct.
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There are many ways QuillBot • Creativity: In this mode, the
can help students regardless text is modified as much as
of their learning needs. possible to create something
Whether looking for a tool to different from the original. If
expand students' vocabulary, students want to see something
enhance writing processes, or quite different from their original
help show the variety and text, this mode may prove helpful.
fluidity of the English
language, QuillBot will be For premium users:
helpful to students and
writers. This software also • Creativity+: This mode is an
teaches them how to upgraded version of Creativity
paraphrase. Paraphrasing Mode AI. It is more capable of
allows students to express understanding things such as
important ideas in their own common phrases and sayings.
words--avoiding plagiarism. In
doing this, they would also • Formal: This mode is useful if
better understand the topic, you're writing for a professional
which will greatly help in or academic audience. It modifies
writing their content.. your text so that it can be suited
to your formal audience.
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Summarizer
HubSpot's Blog Software Who created it? HubSpot’s blogging tool allows The cons of HubSpot
- HubSpot’s team you to write, optimise, publish
and analyse blog content in one Content staging limitations
What are its uses? place. - While HubSpot’s content
- The HubSpot Blog staging tool allows you to
Ideas Generator is a Blog comments redesign and relaunch your
free online tool that - Another great thing about the website in a sandbox
allows you to enter HubSpot tool is the blog development environment,
relevant nouns to comments. The blog comments it’s limited to website pages
generate blog ideas dashboard gives marketers and landing pages. This
about your topic. greater control over comments, means you can’t use the
Web link: Writers can use the allowing them to be reviewed and staging tool to redesign your
https://www.hubspot.com/bl generator to get moderated before they’re blog – you need to replace
og-topic-generator inspiration for their published. the blog templates in your
blog posts settings.
Infrastructure and security Managing your posts with tags
- By migrating your blog over - The HubSpot blogging tool Multi-language content
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to HubSpot, you’ll improve allows you to tag posts based on using the HubSpot blogging
your site’s speed and security whatever criteria you want. This tool
significantly. Also, unlike other can make managing content - Though you can translate
systems, HubSpot supports incredibly easy. content to another language
multi-blog hosting – all of using HubSpot, this feature
which can be managed in one Generate ideas in one click is limited to website pages
place. • This brainstorming tool allows and landing pages. There is,
students to develop ideas if they however, a workaround.
WordPress to HubSpot are running out of creative juices. - To create a translated
migration made easy version of your blog post -
- Usually, moving your blog Avoids Plagiarism copy, translate and paste the
from one CMS to another is a content from your primary
pain – but it’s easy if you’re • The ideas generated by simply blog (i.e. your main language
moving your blog from putting a noun in the search bar blog) to your secondary blog
WordPress to HubSpot. are new and innovative, teaching (in another language).
the students and users the - The only downside to this
Blog importing importance of uniqueness in approach is that the SEO
- The HubSpot CMS comes writing. value of the new blog post
with a WordPress ‘blog on the secondary blog will
importer’ tool. This tool Safe and Secured Ideas decrease.
enables you to migrate your
WordPress blog to HubSpot • The tool ensures that the HubSpot tags are universal
with ease. In simple terms, it generated ideas are never shared - The tags in HubSpot are
works by uploading the XML with anyone, so users will feel the universal, meaning they will
version of the WordPress blog assurance that it is only exclusive apply to every blog. This is
to HubSpot. for them. great if you have one blog in
one language, but if you
Simple and intuitive user face Motivates the students to have two or three or even
- Another thing, the HubSpot become writers four blogs (all covering
blogging tool is incredibly easy • As the topics are already different topics), the tags
to use. You have two modes presented, the students will be won’t translate well into
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
to create and edit blog posts: encouraged to start writing with different languages (unless
other netizens as their audience. they are proper nouns).
1. Draft mode
- Create blogs and collaborate Encourages blogging
with other users without any
distractions. Write and format • Blogging is a huge opportunity
your blog before optimising it for students to share their ideas
for search and scheduling it and works. It enables them to
using the in-line editor. show what they are learning,
what they are thinking and
2. In-line edit mode receive feedback from peers and
- Write, format and publish teachers.
your blog from one place.
Access more advanced • This tool teaches that blogging
features, such as the page’s can help students think about
source code and modules, for their content and enhance their
complete control. writing skills.
Blogging dashboard
- The HubSpot blogging
dashboard will give you a
snapshot of the most
important performance data
from your HubSpot-hosted
blog posts. This includes traffic
sources, time on page,
submissions, average bounce
and exit rate, new contacts
and customers.
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
- Enter up to five nouns
for topics you want to
write about
- Click "Give me Blog
Ideas."
- In a matter of seconds
the tool will generate a
week’s worth of blog
ideas. You can also
unlock a year’s worth
of blog ideas and more
information on how to
modernize your SEO
strategy if you are
interested in learning
more.
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
their blogs will be riddled with
poor grammar or spelling, but
blogging communities can be
good environments to develop
such skills. The main priority
is for students to get a hang
of thinking of ideas,
structuring them right,
learning better words to get
their meaning across and
have the patience to go
through that process each
time.
ProWritingAid Who created it? Grammar and Writing Style Limited Features
Report
- Chris Banks is the CEO • If a user is tight on budget
and founder of • The tool is handy for those and uses the free
ProWritingAid. He students who want to learn the ProWritingAid, expect the
created this tool to English language as they fix their limited features it could
improve his own mistakes in writing. ProWritingAid offer. Instead of more than
Weblink: writing. analyzes one's writing and twenty writing reports, only
https://prowritingaid.com emphasizes potential ninety of them will be
What are its uses? improvements. available.
- ProWritingAid is a • Some reports will quickly fix the • You have to subscribe to a
grammar checker and flawed sentences or phrases, premium plan to use the
style editor created for while the in-depth reports will extensions.
students, fiction and provide them information on
nonfiction writers, what areas are needed to work on • The free version will only
bloggers, and to improve their writing style. check five hundred words at
business writers. This a time.
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
writing enhancement • The software uses the latest
tool scans text and artificial intelligence algorithms to • There is no library for
highlights various key find and fix all those issues that documents.
writing issues. other grammar checkers miss. • Some features available in
These suggestions and corrections Microsoft Word are
Main features: are based on the same ideas a unavailable online when
• Grammar Checker student would learn in a writing using the ProWritingAid.
• Spelling Checker or language course. • It does not offer a lot of
• Word Explorer extensions for various
• Contextual Thesaurus Readability Report browsers.
Report
• Plagiarism Checker • This report helps students to Slow Editing
• Detailed Explanations make their works easier to read.
• Find Repeated Words • When adding long
• Time-saving Integrations • ProWritingAid's Readability paragraphs or pasting a large
• In-Depth Reports Report improves the writing by portion of text, the editing
• Context Sensitive Style teaching the students the becomes slow.
Suggestions importance of readability and
• Mac and Windows Support gives them suggestions for areas No Android and iOs mobile
• Visualize Sentence Lengths that they can change to improve. application
and Variation
Overused Words Report • Since many students have
How does it work? their mobile phones, it is a
• The tool provides a report on drawback that this tool does
- ProWritingAid is an the students' problematic words not offer an Android or iOS
easy-to-use tool to that are often overused. As they application that can perform
improve one's writing. recognize these words, they can the action a lot quicker than
The user can simply prevent using them again. the website.
upload a document,
type and paste the The Consistency Check Accuracy
sentences needed for • Contrary to what they have
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
checking. A summary • This checker highlights advertised, ProWritingAid is
of the report will be inconsistency in spelling, not the user who will expect
shown on the left side capitalization, punctuation, and a grammar guru. Even if it
while other reports will hyphenation to help the students gives many
appear directly in the learn how important consistency recommendations and
text, analyzing the is in writing. suggestions for corrections,
writing and suggesting sometimes some are not
corrections. Free of charge accurate. But since it uses
• For students who want to learn Artificial Intelligence
How does it help teach how to improve their grammar algorithms, it might be
the macroskill/topic assigned without the teacher's guide, this understandable that it is not
to you? is one of the best platforms to use accurate most of the time.
because it is free of charge. It is
- It is the best platform perfect for those who wanted to • The 'passive language'
for enhancing one's save up but still want to have recommendations are
writing as it allows the their grammar and writing style incomplete most of the time.
users to learn as they checked. It does not give you any
edit, realize their explanation or suggestions
mistakes, and work on and would only emphasize it
it that will make them Data Visualization as bad.
a stronger writer. Also,
ProWritingAid's team • Graphic organizers such as
has some of the graphs and charts let users see
leading experts in their writing from a new
natural language perspective. This tool provides
processing and writing graphics that will give insights into
technology; this means sentence variation, readability,
that as students are and more.
using this tool to
improve their writing, Convenient
they can also learn the
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
language. • Students use various platforms
for writing, and editing on
another app takes too much time.
To prevent frustration and
inconvenience of lost formatting
when you copy and paste text
from one program to another,
ProWritingAid built integrations
such as Microsoft Word, Chrome
Extension, Google Docs,
Scrivener, Open Office, and other
formats. With this, students can
continue writing and editing with
their preferred tools while still
enjoying the software's features.
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
Free Essay Checker
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
macroskill/topic assigned to
you?
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
area. Monthly Usage Limit
It advertises itself as an Non-premium users cannot
advanced grammar checker The AI is programmed to enhance exceed the 10,000-word
that offers an all-around academic and technical writing.
limit per month.
writing enhancement Technical jargon can even be
detected and suggested for
program.
change, without compromising
Mobile App Unavailable
Key Features: the work. Additionally, students
can learn to develop these skills Other apps have mobile
independently with some input apps and this is convenient
● Advanced AI to review
from the teacher/instructor. to students who don’t have
grammar, sentence
their own devices.
structure, word choice,
usage and style. Program is strict with intellectual
● Shift between UK/US property. It is partnered with Auto-File Edit
English several journals, institutions, etc., The learning process of
● Style guide Preferences to detect plagiarism. It also
making decisions in the
● Word Count Reduction protects the users’ data, the
website’s encryption ensures that editing phase will be robbed
● Avoid the use biased, from the student. Thus, they
none of the student’s work is
vague or vulgar shared with third parties. may not learn properly when
language (retarded practicing independently.
children – mental Provides students with academic
retardation) style guide: Plug-in still in development
● Suggests technical ● AMA (11th ed)
phrasing ● AGU (2017 ed) Can only be used for
● APA (7th ed) academic/technical writing.
● Encourages formal
● ACS (2nd ed) Thus, it is unsuitable for
writing, but options ● IEEE
can be shifted to primary students.
general writing. Auto-File Edit
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
● Checks for publication Feature allows students to upload
readiness (Journal and have changes automatically
scope match, technical saved. It shows the edits made, in
case the student wants to keep it.
and ethical
compliances, Blogs
authorship and The websites and even the twitter
reference details, etc.) account share articles that can
● Consistency Checks help improve writing and provide
● Add words for a opportunities for students to
personal dictionary learn independently.
● Accept and Ignore all
suggested corrections
Other Features:
● Recognizes Non-English
words.
● Cloud Storage
● Send for professional
editing or proofreading
● Exporting available
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
account), users will be
transferred to their
cloud/drive storage. From
there, they may upload or
type a document in need of
revision. The revisions are
color coded. Sentences
underlined in purple are for
grammar correction, and in
red are for writing advice.
Teaching writing is an
extensive process especially
for teachers. The editing and
revision process are especially
grueling. Although nothing
beats the student-teacher
interaction when revising the
work, this program can help
students look out for common
writing mistakes they often
make. The program also offers
writing advice and even
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
articles for students to browse
at their own pace. This saves
the teacher some time in
consultations but also, the
student can progress faster
with independent learning.
Readable Who created it? Powerful Text Analysis 1. There is only a 7-day free
trial, and the user must
The website was founded and • ReadablePro uses powerful register an account.
algorithms for readability,
developed by Dave Child. He
including the Flesch-Kincaid and
created the site to help writers • After the 7-day free trial,
Gunning-Fog.
gauge how easy their text is to all features require payment.
read their work. • It is all designed to make writing Currently, there is only one
more precise and easier to payment method available:
Web Link: understand--which will benefit
What are its uses? credit cards. No other option
https://readable.com/ the students the most. is available.
It includes a collection of tools
for measuring and improving File Analysis 2. Not possible to save
the quality of your written different versions of the
content - everything from • Students use a wide variety of same content.
readability scoring to cliché platforms for writing. Aside from • Readable ignores this
detection. handling text spreadsheets and critical attribute and does
URL spreadsheets, the file tool not provide a way to save
also handles all the user's plain-
How does it work? older versions of the same
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
text documents. content.
ReadablePRO requires no
technical knowledge to use. • For this one, the student can 3. No File Sharing and
simply upload a PDF, Word
Simply copy and paste your Collaboration
document, or one of a dozen
content on ReadablePRO's • The Readable app does not
other file formats, and the
blank page. Your content will spreadsheet will show how offer a means for students to
be graded within seconds. readable the file is. It will provide share files or invite others to
Generally, your content should users the results so they could collaborate on a project for
have a Flesch Reading ability work on improving the readability real time feedback.
Score of at least 50 to be of their writing.
considered readable by the
general audience, earning a
grade of "A" or "B". Text Quality Analysis
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
from ReadablePro make their writing.
students stronger writers by
giving recommendations on Convenient writing using
Integrations
how to polish their content to
make it easier to read. • ReadabilityPro is developing a
set of integrations to help users
measure the readability of their
content wherever it is convenient.
No red ink Who created it? Activities for writing and revising:
Not student friendly
Jeff Scheur is the founder and Several reviews suggest that
CEO of the website on ● Quick Writes: Students students don’t enjoy their
write a short response to a experience. The correction
February 2012. Being an
prompt. Great for bell- system is difficult to
Weblink: educator himself, he created ringers and writing understand and frustrating
https://www.noredink.com/ the website with the aim to fluency. to the learner. It may be
improve the feedback loop ● Peer Review: Students because the corrections are
between student and teacher submit part of an essay for done by a computer, thus,
by utilizing the internet. structured, anonymous students don’t feel
feedback from their peers. motivated to do better.
Great for building
What are its uses?
feedback skills and Supports K-12 learning of
On their website, the team targeted revision. public schools but only in
markets itself with the words ● Guided Draft: Students the US. The service is still
“builds stronger writers draft an essay with the free for institutions in the
through interest-based support of tutorials, model Philippines but partnership is
curriculum, adaptive exercises, essays, and targeted tips. difficult.
and actionable data.” True Great for formal essays
and teacher-supported Save Option is faulty
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
enough, the website features revision. There is no auto-save
do provide these things. ● Self Review: Students function. In the event
According to reviews, many review and revise an essay students exit the program or
they have already drafted. the internet connection isn’t
educators used this program
Great for student-directed strong, their work will not be
for their classroom. revision. saved.
Key Features:
● Pre-made diagnostics Allows the teacher to assign work No Grammar check or
for students according for students individually, catering Native Spelling checker
to grade level. to their level of mastery, or as a Relies on internet browser
● The report is given to class. for spell checking.
the teacher and can be
Requires students to Paid Service
used to alter teaching demonstrate mastery before Although it’s features in
style and assessments. they can finish the assigned work. free-mode can still be used,
● Automatically grades Requires students to answer the premium version grants
student papers. three rights for every wrong. more flexibility to the
● Allows immediate teacher, which is beneficial
feedback on student Students can pick topics of in nurturing student
interest and the website will creativity. Alternative
work.
design assessments to make their websites don’t prove its
● Keeps track of student writing practice enjoyable. price to be worth it.
progress.
● Virtual classroom via Teachers can view student data of Outdated
code diagnostic tests and practice work Performs poorly compared
● Registration process and design assignments that can to other writing enhancing
for student and build on their strengths and software and virtual
weaknesses. classrooms to date.
teacher are different
but the teacher is able Standards are according to US Standards are according to
to view noredink as Nurturing students that can US
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
student to ensure that compete globally will open their Standards are dependent on
student will find it horizons. Excellent writing skills the states. Teachers and
comprehensible. no matter the profession is vital. students might find it
difficult to adjust or choose
which standards to follow.
How does it work?
Users can register as a student
or a teacher.
Students:
Students must be given a code
to register an account. The
website will then ask students
about their interests so they
practice questions or writing
prompts can be customized to
cater to them. Next, they must
take a diagnostic test to gauge
their mastery in different
areas. Students will be ranked:
● Incomplete
● Struggling
● Beginning
● Approaching
● Proficient
In various areas such as
passive/active voice use,
which is instrumental for
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
writing.
Teachers:
Teachers are required to set
up their account, create
classes, then add students via
invite link or share class code.
Then, teachers are free to
create assignments for their
students.
Assignment modes:
● Diagnostic – gauge
understanding at the
start of the unit
● Practice – mastery
based, adaptive
exercises to guide
students through
scope and sequence
● Quiz - Summative
assessments to
evaluate learning
● Writing Cycle – guides
students through the
writing process (only
available in premium)
The interface allows
customization such as by
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
topic. It estimates the average
time students need to
complete an assignment and
allows late submissions.
Grammarly Who created it? Grammarly helps you learn while Grammarly does not
- Max Lytvyn, Alex you write. Grammarly offers differentiate between
Shevchenko, and Dmytro Lider several features that help you document types. It supports
learn as you write. Here are just a
founded Grammarly in 2009 all of them (blogs,
few:
with the goal of helping newspaper articles, business
people communicate more Clarity documents, etc.), but the
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
effectively. - Grammarly’s clarity suggestions it makes are not
suggestions will help you document-specific.
What are its uses? learn how few words you
really need to say what
- Grammarly's writing app Users may find that some of
you mean. It helps you
Weblink: makes sure everything you the tips and suggested
write in the active voice,
https://www.grammarly.com/ type is correct and easy to as well as cut overused or changes are not so useful.
read. Grammarly's algorithms redundant phrases and Because they are not style-
detect mistakes and probable words that detract from specific, these suggestions
errors in the text. It then your message. can even harm the work,
suggests context-specific provided that it’s applied.
Weekly Stats
corrections to help with Especially to non-native
- Grammarly sends weekly
grammar, spelling and usage, emails to registered users speakers as they tend to
wordiness, style, punctuation, that help them keep have tendencies that native
and even a plagiarism check. updated on their progress speakers don’t.
and give them goals to
Key Features: shoot for. These include In some instances, the
● Correctness your weekly writing streak plagiarism check doesn’t
as well as your mastery,
- Grammar, spelling, and catch everything.
productivity, and
punctuation vocabulary levels.
- Consistency in spelling - This is helpful to students Grammarly offers a good
and punctuation as the only way to keep range of synonyms for any
- Fluency their current mastery of words identified as
● Clarity writing is to ensure that "overused"; yet, these
- Conciseness they don’t let it go dull. suggestions will not always
- Readability fit in the context.
- The mastery percentage
● Engagement shows accuracy on a
- Compelling vocabulary weekly basis as compared There is a difference
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
- Lively sentence variety to other Grammarly users. between Grammarly free
● Delivery Your productivity and premium, and it’s not
- Tone detection percentage shows how only in terms of prices but
many words you typed in
- Confident language also in features and support.
comparison to other
- Politeness While there is a free trial
Grammarly users, and
- Formality level your vocabulary available, Grammarly
- Inclusive language percentage shows how premium costs $29 per
● Plagiarism many unique words you month, a $60 monthly
typed in comparison to subscription (per one
How does it work? other users. payment of one quarter).
- Install Grammarly’s free Furthermore, Grammarly is
Confidence
browser extension, and - If you’re frequently writing not cheap.
Grammarly will help you write emails to collaborative
correctly on nearly every site teams, or need to make a No option to change US/UK
on the web. You will see the point without ceding your English.
green Grammarly logo in the ground, Grammarly’s Not entirely detrimental to
bottom right corner of every confidence alerts can help the process, but it would be
you cut hedging language
text field that is being checked useful for students to
and make strong
by Grammarly. statements. recognize US/UK spellings.
- Additionally, you can copy
and paste any English text into Spelling, grammar, and Placebo Effect
Grammarly’s Editor or into punctuation Students may feel too
Grammarly’s desktop app. - Spelling, grammar, and confident with grammarly’s
- To check your writing directly punctuation checks are AI and hinder self-
what you probably know
in Microsoft Office, you may development in writing.
Grammarly for. But when
use Grammarly for Microsoft you use Grammarly, it
Office on Windows or doesn't just help you
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
Grammarly for Microsoft figure out where the
Word on Mac. comma goes, it tells you
why. Reading the details
of the correctness alerts in
How does it help teach the
the Grammarly Editor can
macroskill/topic assigned to help you learn more from
you? your mistakes.
- Whether students need
assistance with how to cite Definitions and synonyms
sources, enhance their - Everyone has their writing
vocabulary, or improve clarity, quirks, and these often
come out through words
Grammarly offers feedback
you frequently use. In an
explaining why a writer might effort to switch things up,
make a change. Since it gives you might try to use words
suggestions but not answers, you’re unsure about.
writers will need to maintain When you double-click a
control over their style and word in the Grammarly
message as they incorporate Editor, different
definitions of the word, as
the feedback.
well as synonyms for each
definition, will appear
underneath. You can find
not only synonyms for
your words but also the
nuances of what those
synonyms mean.
Draft Who created it? Emphasis on Drafting and Editing Grammar edits rely on real
WebLink: The website was founded and that builds confidence people not AI’s
https://draftin.com/document developed by Nathan Kontny The interface minimizes Although in most cases this
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
to help provide its users with distractions and anxiety of not is better, it is a time
an in-depth drafting and having the right words. The consuming process and
editing process. editing is collaborative, students some edits may be biased
can learn from other students and
and compromise the writer’s
teachers.
What are its uses? style. Some collaborators
The creator was inspired by his Non-real time Collaboration may not even be helpful
routine to ask his wife for Allows students to jot down ideas with their advice. The
edits, but he was beginning to and work on the first draft before creator stated that this is
see some problems. First, he others can make criticisms. specifically why he added
couldn’t see the edits his wife the function of accepting
Transcriptions can be used by
made to the document. and rejecting edits.
s/1620807/edit students who prefer thinking
Second, the tediousness of aloud and can instantly turn their
sending documents via email thoughts into writing. No plagiarism or spell-
back and forth. Thirdly, faulty checker
save functions. The website Mark Draft As its primary function is to
has most functions that word Allows the student to go back to make a draft, then this can
processors have. previous versions in case they be expected. However, it
want to go back to a certain idea.
does market itself to assist in
Key Features: Snippet Function the editing process. A
- New Document allows the student to snip entire workaround would be
- New Transcription paragraphs that can be used later. installing a browser
(Upload an audio file Having too many ideas scattered extension that has these
and have the program around on the page can be functions.
transcribe the words) distracting whilst writing.
- New Presentation Doesn’t create hyperlink
Hemingway Mode
- Collaborate via edit link “Write drunk. Edit sober” URL function remains as
- Version Control - Draft will turn off your ability to text. Users must manually
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
collaborators or even delete anything in your copy and paste URL.
the owner themselves document. You can only write at
will have three the end of what you've already Accent in transcription
written. You can't go back; only
versions of the function
forward.
document. The original The transcription function is
draft, the portions Prevents edits when there are not as extensive as Google
edited where the more than two open programs to AI. This function may be
owner can accept and ensure data is not mixed up. more tedious in editing than
reject changes, and the helpful.
edited draft in its User Friendly Interface
The interface doesn’t require a
entirety.
long time to get used to. It also
- Mark draft to save a looks clean and helps with focus No Mobile App
version. while students are working. Students without their own
- Records changes and personal computer / laptop
keeps track of the Accessibility will have trouble navigating
previous versions of It has a subscription that requires the website.
the draft. payment, however, most features
useful for students are completely
- Snippet function that
free.
saves paragraphs in a
clipboard.. Data is not shared to third-
- Hemingway mode parties
disables ability to The connection is secure and the
delete. student’s work is kept secured.
- To Do List to jot down This prevents anyone from
stealing their work.
quick ideas
- Comments that appear Customizable UI
on the side of the work The feature I want to highlight in
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
- Insert Image (connects particular is the font style and
to local files, Google background color.. Research
drive, dropbox, box, suggests that fonts such as Comic
Sans are better for drafts, because
facebook, onedrive,
its style convinces the user that
Google photos, it’s not the final work and can
Instagram, Flickr, via therefore make mistakes. The
URL) background color can be changed
- Footnote to grey to replicate night mode to
reduce glare.
Other Features
Import Images
- Cloud storage
This function is extensive in that it
- Deleted documents are can connect to various programs
saved for 30 days and websites. Additionally, this is
- Import/export function helpful to students who need
- Customizable Font, visual reference to work
Font size, background
color, text color. To Do
Helps with key phrases of ideas
and to keep track of work
How does it work?
Requires low bandwidth
How does it help learners
write?
Much like writer’s block, the
creator’s aim is to create a
website with the sole purpose
of conditioning its users to
write down ideas regardless of
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
quality to create that first
draft. Students using the
website are only faced by a
seemingly blank screen with
their words being typed.
Although the edits are not as
extensive as other websites,
instructors make suggestions
without altering the
document. Students can
consider the edits and discuss
with the instructor revisions
that satisfy each other’s
standards. Moreover, the
collaboration system allows
students to help each other
with revisions.
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
Google Docs Who created it? Affordances Pitfalls
Google Docs is an online word - Lags when document
processor included as a part of Sharing and Collaboration pages reach 30 and
Files are easily shared from within
the free, web-based Google above.
the document using the upper-
Docs Editors suite offered by - Some of the word or
right “Share” button with the
Google. It started out as an public, with members of the grammar corrections
experiment by Sam Schillace, institution, or with specific are incorrect,
Steve Newman and Claudia individuals using an email however, you can
Carpenter when they were address. Since a free Google easily fix these by
testing out content editable Account can be tied to any email going to the
address, anyone with an email
functions on browsers. preferences and
address can access a Google Doc.
You can even limit the permission making the necessary
What are its uses? you grant to the people who will changes.
Google Docs is an online web access your document through - Needs internet
application that allows users the sharing link. connection to use
to create and edit documents some of the features.
online while collaborating with Grammar and Spelling - Fairly limited set of
Google Docs offers grammatical
other users in real-time. features unlike MS
and spelling checks so students
don’t have to worry about errors programs.
Key Features marring their writing creations.
- New Document
- Open documents Autosave Feature
(uploading of files is Never again worry about losing
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
possible as Google hours of work because you forgot
Docs supports a variety to press ctrl-s. Google Docs
of file formats) automatically saves with every
word you type. It even saves the
- Collaborative Work via
document directly into your
link or email google drive for easy access and
- Revision History organization.
- Grammar and Spelling
Check Revision History
- Exporting of files into Google docs makes several
different file formats versions of your editing history
based on the time of your editing
- Autosave
so you can compare which version
- Translation of is better. Restore to an earlier
document version if desired, this feature is
- Voice Typing great for recovering from
(go to tools > Voice mistakes.
Typing or simply press
ctrl+shift+s to activate Commenting
The comments feature in Google
your microphone and
Docs affords rich commentary and
voice type) meta-commentary from students
- Citation Insertion and teachers alike throughout the
- Sync files from your composing process, from low-
Google Drive stakes feedback in invention,
Other Features drafting, peer review, and
- Suggestion Mode revision, to formal assessment
from the instructor. Comments
- Offline Mode
afford multi-way conversations
- Word Count Indicator that empower students to
- Document Chatbox respond to peer and teacher
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
- Commenting feedback.
- Drawing Space
- Add more fonts Free to use
No payment is required to use
- Dictionary
Google Docs.
- Bookmarks
- Explore Suggestion Mode
- Compare documents Google Docs lets you track any
edits that are made, comment on
How does it work? them, and decide whether they
Google Docs comes as a free should be added to the
document. This way, students can
editing and writing platform
have control or have the final say
from when you create a in what would be included in their
google account. All you have documents.
to do is register for a new
google account and you can Voice to Text
then have a go at it. You can This is a free dictation tool by
also sync your google drive Google Docs which students can
use to transcript whatever they
and email with it so when you
say real time on a google
create or edit a file, Google document. This is especially
Docs will automatically save it useful for students with physical
to your drive. disabilities.
You may download the app
version of Google Docs or Offline Editing
simply go to For students that do not have
stable internet connection,
[docs.google.com]. You may
Google Docs have offline mode
have to download the google where you can edit files even
doc extension to enable offline when you're not connected to the
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
editing in your chrome internet.
browser.
Has both app and web
How does it help teach the applications
macroskill/topic assigned to Whether you’re on a phone or a
you? computer, Google Docs is easily
accessible and requires low
Google Docs is an effective bandwidth.
tool that allows students to
brainstorm together in the Document Chatbox
same document. It can help Students can communicate
through the chat box within
students with the research up
google doc whilst working on
to the revising phase of their their writing. This allows them to
writing. With an easy-looking work efficiently without having to
preface and multiple tools that switch between apps to talk.
the students can use to make
their writing experiences a lot
better, students and teachers
can use these tools to
collaborate on assignments,
projects, newsletters, and
blogs, among other things.
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
with a link to their respective motivation through the use of site, you will automatically
twitter accounts but the kitten pictures. lose the progress you’ve
former’s account is private made, so do not forget to
Simple Preface
and the latter’s is suspended) copy your work to a savable
The site of Written Kitten has a
but the website is now document file!
very simple and straightforward
managed by Josh Walcher. No format. Perfect for those who - No offline mode
other infos about the creators want to write efficiently without Written Kitten needs an
are given. any kind of distractions and for internet connection for it to
those who get easily confused by produce the cute
What are its uses? complex-looking sites. feline/canine/bunny
Written Kitten is a free web- pictures.
Word Count Indicator
based writing tool that uses The site also keeps count of the - No mobile
positive motivation, through number of words you’ve written application
the use of pictures of kittens- so no more manual counting! - Very limited set of
for writing. features.
Key Features
- Positive motivation
through pictures of
kitten
- Simple preface
- Word count indicator
- You can choose what
pictures they will show
you. A kitten, a puppy
or a bunny.
- A choice button where
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
you can decide when
they will show the
picture, either every
100, 200, 300, 500, or
1000 words.
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
How does it help teach the
macroskill/topic assigned to
you?
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
NOTES:
1. The goal here is to be exhaustive. We need to survey as many tools for teaching the topic assigned to you; thus, it would be
good to assign each member of your group to conduct the survey individually before you pool all the sites you have surveyed.
2. To help you prepare the Annotations, read the website descriptions, the ad blurbs written about the tool, and the
user/subscriber comments on the tool. Your Annotations also introduce the tools to your classmates, so you need to do
away with highly technical language.
3. Explain under Affordances the benefits of the tool to teaching the particular topic assigned to you. For the Assessments
group, explain how good the tools are in helping teachers formatively assess the macroskills. As you describe the
Affordances, I would gauge how much you have explored the technology because you can list more affordances for language
teaching than those which were described under the Annotations. This is because you can already evaluate the uses of the
tools as pre-service language teachers.
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TechToolsSurvey_Tech in Language Educ_T32021
ANNOTATIONS ● Presents complete information on the 20%
tools, their creators and historical
development to provide important
background information to the readers
● Clearly describes the various features of
the tech tools
● Clearly explains the uses of the features of
the tech tools
AFFORDANCES ● Shows intensive analysis of the uses of the 30%
tech tools, particularly their advantages in
language pedagogy
● Lists ALL the possible uses of the tech tool
in teaching the topic assigned
PITFALLS ● Explains the possible dangers or difficulties 30%
teachers will face upon using the tech tool
● Exhausts ALL the possible dangers in using
the tech tool
TOTAL 100 points
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