Hi! In this blog I will introduce some of the basic features and concepts behind KiwiWrite Math. KiwiWrite provides an alternative to handwriting math, geared toward students with disabilities.
To sign up for a free trial, go to kiwiwrite.com, and click the “sign up” key, and then "free trial". Enter either a username, email and password, or click the sign up with Google button.
Complete tutorial videos and a downloadable instruction guide and videos can be found at kiwiwrite.com/learn.
How to Choose a Math Level
KiwiWrite has 4 different math levels to provide students with the math keys they need, without adding extra visual clutter. The first thing to understand about KiwiWrite is which math level to use! Each level has unique characteristics.
Levels 1 and 2
Levels 1 and 2 are designed for younger students. These levels use a graph paper like grid layout which is excellent for vertical math!
In levels 1 and 2, each number and symbol gets its own grid square and remains aligned throughout solving! When students type a number or symbol, the size of the grid grows.
The only exception for each number and symbol receiving its own square is for carrying or borrowing. Students should select the cross-off key when showing this!
Level 2 is for slightly older students because it includes multiplication, division, percent, and units!
Levels 3 and 4
Levels 3 and 4 are designed for middle and high school students. These levels use a line based layout, in order to support fractions and other higher math symbols.
Students can write a wide variety of math using levels 3 and 4. They can even write fractions inside of fractions, and exponents inside of exponents!
Switching Between Levels
Our levels were designed to be clutter-free to eliminate unnecessary distractions. With that being said, KiwiWrite Math is for all learners and we want to customize the experience for all students. Students can switch between levels to use the features they need! Middle school students would be well served by using level 3 for their fraction and exponent problems, but level 2 for their division or multiplication problems.
When students and teachers sign up for KiwiWrite Math, they have the flexibility to switch between levels.
Get to solving with KiwiWrite!
With KiwiWrite, every problem receives its own designated space. By either clicking the new problem button or simply clicking in a new spot on the current page, students can begin solving. In this way, Kiwi can help keep a student’s math aligned!
Each time a student starts a new math problem, they should click on either the new problem button, or on an open part of the math display area, to start a new problem. This will move the cursor and create a starting grid or box for the problem. As soon as students enter symbols, KiwiWrite will enter them into the problem at the current cursor position. Symbols can be entered by clicking or tapping the on-screen math keys, or typing individual keyboard keys.
For correct formatting of multi-digit symbols, such as “log” or “cos”, please use the on-screen keys as opposed to the keyboard. To enter text as words, click the “abc” key before and after the words you want Kiwi to display.
To switch back to a previous problem, just click on it and continue typing!
Students can also import worksheets to solve assigned work. To do this, select the new file icon, then select import image. Students can import JPG, PNG, and PDF images. Once the worksheet is imported, students can begin solving! Students can type right on top of the problem or drag their work to the correct spot. KiwiWrite Math’s grid and line system will continue working as usual!
Math key drop-downs to reduce visual clutter
One part of KiwiWrite Math’s mission is to make math accessible to all learners! In order to do this, we have created a platform with minimal clutter and distractions. Students with learning differences can sometimes become overwhelmed with the quantity of options which can be a barrier to solving. KiwiWrite Math has not only created different levels to prevent confusion, but also has alternate symbol drop-down keys.
Each on-screen math key that has a small triangle on it has a drop-down menu with more symbols in it.
To access these, hold down on the key for one second, and the drop-down will
appear. Then click or tap on the alternate symbol you want to enter.
To make the drop-down disappear without making a selection, click on another key or the gray bar.
Math problem actions
Kiwi offers loads of options for editing math problems!
Add lines to the problem, by clicking new line or typing enter
Add rows or columns to a level 1-2 problem, by moving the cursor with arrows keys or clicking immediately outside of grid
Insert symbols within a problem, by clicking or using arrow keys to move the cursor to the desired position, then entering the symbol
Delete symbols from the problem, by positioning the cursor over the symbol and clicking delete or the eraser icon, or by positioning the cursor to right of the symbol and using the keyboard backspace key
Add text within a problem, or as a separate problem, by using the ABC key
Add cross-offs and/or carry/borrow digits, by putting the cursor over a symbol, and clicking a cross-off key (n with slash and alternates in drop-down)
Change the size of the font for the problem, by clicking font increment or decrement. This sets the size for future problems too.
Move the problem by dragging
File system
KiwiWrite automatically saves your work to a file on the cloud once per minute, to prevent any big mistakes as far as losing work. Students should still click the save file icon in the menu bar when they are done working to assure every bit of work is saved.
Each time you log in, KiwiWrite will automatically display the last file you created, unless you have told KiwiWrite that you are “done” with that file.
Within KiwiWrite is a very simple file folder system, to help make it easy for students to keep their work organized. KiwiWrite helps prevent students from misplacing their math work!
KiwiWrite has three file folders – the “not done” folder, which is where all files start, the “done” folder, and “trash”. After a student prints or exports a file, they are asked if they want to move it to one of these folders.
If they have printed and are done, then they should select “done”. If they have exported the file, and no longer need it then they should put it in the trash or done folder. If students find the file reminders after print and export unnecessary, they can turn it off in their preferences.
Off-line mode
Worried about unsaved work? No worries, KiwiWrite lets students keep working on a file that they have started, even if the internet goes down. Just click the save icon when the network is back, in order to save the changes to the cloud.
Want to learn more?
More product information is available at kiwiwrite.com We have a full set of video tutorials, along with some downloadable instructions, at kiwiwrite.com/learn.
Feedback or suggestions?
Want to share suggestions or comments? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Send us a note at @kiwiwritemath or email support@kiwiwrite.com.