ictsan

Here are some tips I’ve devloped after using Penfriend prediction in schools;

1. We want the user’s first experience of prediction to be positive. It really helps improve prediction, especially at the start if you make sure that PF predicts words that the pupil is likely to need. You can even type the text that the pupil needs, before he types it. That way it is bound to work. Another way is to use “learn Clipboard”. Find a text with similar content to what the user will be writing about. The Internet’s the best place. Mark the text ( Ctrl+C); In PF choose View -> Lexion; In Lexicon choose, File -> Learn Clipboard. Now Penfriend is likely to predict the better.
2. Minimise Penfriend when you are; Editing, you are likely to type in half a word; typing in a web address; doing anything other than typing. This will prevent unwanted words getting into the lexicon
3. Un-select the option – Predict new Words. Now you need to work in this way; After each session using Penfriend, the support person weeds out all the mistaken words and approves all the other new words. These become old words and these can be predicted during the next session.
4. Pupils may want to enter words that are predicted by typing them rather than by pressing the function key or clicking the mouse. This is to be encouraged as using a Predictive Typer alone does not make you a good speller. Typing the word can help improve spelling.