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.

Any other questions? Email us or call us on 0845 121 1691.

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