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.

a step by step guide of how to use MindView mind-mapping software.

MindView

MindView is a mind-mapping software package. It is an excellent resource for planning any written work using visual techniques. With MindView you can:

  • Quickly generate ideas
  • Organise your ideas into a structure
  • Visualise ideas
  • Attach documents and hyperlinks
  • Create essay plans, revision maps, project management charts, lab reports, etc.
  • Export to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, or image files

Help & how to get started:

Supported operating systems: Windows

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How to use Microsoft Lens PDF Scanner

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:

a video explaining the benefits of Grammarly

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:

Spellex dictation training video

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.
A video talking you through how to use Global AutoCorrect

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:

More helpful videos:

How to use the dictation app. Speech recognition software that translates your voice into words

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:

Demonstration of the MyScript iOS app - an equation editor that recognises your handwriting.

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:

Photomath is a new app that not only solves complex math equations but teaches you how to solve them yourself. It uses your phone's camera to scan the math equation.

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:

Made to help mathematics and STEM teachers and students at all levels, EquatIO lets everyone create mathematical equations, formulas and more on their computer or Chromebook.

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:

Post-it Note App Overview

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: