How they can help
Immediate Feedback: Corrections are shown in real time, reinforcing accurate spelling instantly.
Builds Confidence: These tools enable children to produce polished work independently, even if they struggle with spelling.
Promotes Learning: By explaining errors and offering alternatives, spelling tools teach children how to spell correctly rather than just relying on corrections.
Saves Time: They streamline writing tasks, allowing children to focus on ideas rather than worrying about mistakes.
Clicker
Clicker is a child-friendly word processor designed for primary school students. It features a talking spell checker, word prediction, and realistic speech feedback, making it particularly helpful for younger learners.
Good for
Supporting primary students with diverse literacy needs, including those with dyslexia or emerging writing skills.
Ages 7 - 11
Pros
Provides visual and auditory feedback to reinforce spelling.
Includes Clicker Grids for scaffolded writing, helping students form sentences and phrases.
Encourages independent writing with talking books and word banks.
Cons
Requires a subscription.
Limited to younger age groups and not suitable for secondary students.
Built-in Spell-Checkers
Integrated into tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Word, these spell-checkers underline errors and suggest corrections in real time.
Good for
General use in primary and secondary classrooms, especially for quick tasks and assignments.
Ages 9 - 16
Pros
Free and widely accessible.
Easy to use for students with basic computer literacy.
Cons
Lacks detailed explanations of errors.
Limited functionality compared to specialised tools.
Grammarly
Grammarly provides advanced spelling and grammar corrections with detailed explanations, helping students improve their writing skills.
Good for
Secondary students working on essays, reports, or creative writing tasks.
Ages 11 - 16
Pros
Encourages self-correction by explaining mistakes.
Works across multiple platforms and devices.
Useful for more complex writing tasks.
Cons
Requires internet access.
Advanced features need a paid subscription.
What to watch out for
Over-Reliance: Encourage your child to try spelling words independently before accepting corrections.
Accuracy Limitations: Review their final text to ensure the tool hasn’t missed context-specific errors.
Grammar Overload: Some tools may suggest grammar improvements that can overwhelm younger users. Focus on spelling first.
Paid Features: Check if the free version meets your child’s needs before committing to a subscription.