HLN #20: Distraction Free Writing Tools

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Create a Distraction-Free Writing Environment :

• Text Editor
• Notepad on Macintosh and PC

•  Modifiy your word processor for a minimalistic format

• MS Word 2003 and 2011 (pc): Under the View menu, select Fullscreen
• MS Word 2007 (pc): Under the View menu, select View Fullscreen.In the upper, right corner, click on the View Options menu an select Allow Typing. (you can also use the View Options menu to select one page–which centers the page, and increase the font size.

•  Specific Distraction Free writing tools

• Writer (web-based)
• Pen.io (web-based)
• JDarkRoom (Mac)
• WriteRoom (Mac and iOS devices)
• q10 (PC)
• OmmWriter (PC, Mac, iPad. Download Mac and iPad versions through the respective app stores.) Robin’s favorite!

• Internet “blocking” sites to help bolster your focus when willpower is not enough!
• Block all internet access for a specified amount of time with the Freedom application (free download, $10 to purchase)
• To block specific websites for specified amounts of time use Self-Control (Macintosh) or Focal Filter (PC).

Other Resources Mentioned During the Show:

• Robin’s Top 5 podcast on distraction-free writing
• Suggestopedia — teaching method developed by the Bulgarian psychotherapist Georgi Lozanov and used mostly in the field of foreign language learning

How can you use distraction-free writing to support learning?
Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Tagged as: writing