What Is WordQ and What Does It Do?
What is WordQ?
What is WordQ? We’re glad you asked! WordQ [wurd-kyoo] is an award-winning assistive technology software that was developed right here in Ontario, by Dr. Fraser Shein in partnership with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. We’ve had lots of questions – and some very interesting guesses – about what the “Q” in WordQ stands for, and we’re going to clear that up once and for all. The “Q” in WordQ stands for cue, which means to prompt; referring to the industry-leading word prediction suggestions – or prompts – that our software is famous for. WordQ is able to predict what word you want to use next in as few as 1.3 keystrokes and it offers the word choices that make the most sense within the context of your writing, for you to choose from. WordQ also learns from you each time you use it, becoming more familiar with how you speak and write. If you haven’t had a chance to try it yourself, we’re offering a 30-Day Free Trial, no credit card required!
What Does WordQ Do?
In the simplest terms, WordQ helps people read better and write better and, because of that, it increases confidence and independence in the students that use it. Regardless of whether they have an IEP in place or not, whether they are neurodivergent or neurotypical, or whether they have a physical disability or are non-disabled, students that use WordQ improve their writing skills and communicate more effectively.
WordQ has evolved quite a bit since its inception in 2000 and now offers much more than just state-of-the-art word prediction. WordQ Desktop, the latest version of our assistive technology software, includes speech feedback, proofreading, speech recognition and dictation (for Windows only), an integrated PDF editor, and a topic research tool. Some of these functions used to be available separately, under the names SpeakQ and ThoughtQ, but now they’re all included in WordQ Desktop; everything is in one place, for one price.
Discover the features of WordQ Desktop
Word Prediction
Speech Feedback
Proofreading Mode
PDF Access
Speech Recognition (Windows Only)
Multiple Users and Language Profiles
ThoughtQ Topic Research
Customizable Topic Lists
Exam Mode
Abbreviation Expansion
Who Should Use WordQ?
WordQ has been used for years by elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students in classrooms around the world, and by professionals in the workplace. In a 2014 report from the series What Works? Research into Practice: A research-into-practice series produced by a partnership between the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat and the Ontario Association of Deans of Education the Ontario Ministry of Education, WordQ was included in the list of recommended “low cost and/or Ministry-licensed assistive technologies” to “support reading and writing fluency through the development of related skills – including organization, fine motor coordination, mobility and keyboarding – and, thus, independence.” (Assistive Technology Tools Supporting Literacy Learning for All Learners in the Inclusive Classroom, Dr. Steve Sider, Wilfrid Laurier University, & Dr. Kimberly Maich, Brock University, February 2014).
Nearly a decade ago, PC Mag gave WordQ 3 a four-star review recommending that “struggling writers reaching for a technological life preserver, grab hold of WordQ for easy, invisible, and inexpensive word prediction and spoken feedback” (PC Mag, WordQ v3 - Review 2011 - PCM, 2011). Since then, we’ve expanded what is offered within WordQ and the most current version, WordQ Desktop, boasts more easy-to-use features to help users read and write better, including the most recent addition, WordQ PDF, which was introduced to WordQ Desktop through a software update in 2019. We are particularly proud of WordQ PDF for many reasons, one of which is how it can help to level the playing field for neurodivergent students taking standardized tests in school.
How Can WordQ Help Student Learners in Virtual Classrooms?
What 2020 is making quite clear to parents and educators alike, is how incredibly helpful WordQ can be for students attempting to succeed in the new landscape of online schools and virtual classrooms that has emerged in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. While “online classes offer safety and stability to many students … we also know that the struggle to learn at home is very real. There are a lot of differences between a home setting and a school, and these differences are more difficult for students with special needs to navigate” (Quillsoft, Online Learning Doesn’t Have to be a Virtual Disaster, September 2020). For Dyslexic students, students with ADHD, Autistic Students, and students with physical disabilities in particular, an assistive technology software like WordQ can help to bridge the gap between online and in-person school this year. WordQ works for students when and where they need it, with or without a connection to the internet. WordQ’s state-of-the-art features work when using online documents or with traditional word processors, within PDFs, and on social media. WordQ works with you as you write, virtually anywhere you type.