Odyssey Writer Online Writing Tool for Students Ways to Access Odyssey Writer: 1. Odyssey Writer Icon on Student Launch Pad Stand alone icon on student launch pad for free-form writing. This is the drafting tool where students have the opportunity to write free form or respond to prompts or questions. They can electronically submit their writing to the teacher. Drafting Tool Icon 2. Odyssey Writer Icon within activities. Your teacher can allow you to use Odyssey Writer as you work in any of your subject areas. (Language Arts, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies). Click on the Odyssey Writer Icon on the task bar. When you have completed your paper (either draft or final) you may send the writing project to your teacher for review or grading. Click on the Send to Teacher Icon Printing is also available. If you are submitting a free-form writing piece, all teachers who have you enrolled in their class will be listed. Select the teacher you wish to send the writing to. Click Send take notes write a story summarize brainstorm Odyssey Writer ideas Page 1 of 6
3. Odyssey Writer Activity that has been assigned by your teacher. Your teacher can customize Odyssey Writer assignments for you and/or your class. If your teacher has created an Odyssey Writer assignment, you will access it from one of your subject area icons on the student launch pad. (A customized assignment may be found in any subject area.) After you log in Click on the subject area icon. Then click on your Odyssey Writer assignment icon. You will be taken to the drafting tool area. There are a few options your teacher may have included for you: 1. If the Writing Frameworks page appears, read what your teacher has included to help you with your writing. The Writing Framework will remain on a page as a reference. 2. Click Close 3. The Instructions page will appear letting you know what is expected of you on this assignment. Click icon to see instructions 4. You may want to click on the Paste to Draft icon or Close When the Drafting Tool appears, you may begin writing your paper. Are there note cards available with pinpoint text? Odyssey Writer Page 2 of 6
Odyssey Writer Quick Start for Students 1. Double click to open the Odyssey Writer activity on the assignment page. 2. Read the instructions and copy the prompt to your draft. 3. Know your Odyssey Writer tools/icons. Odyssey Writer Page 3 of 6
4. Check for Web Links for research information. 5. Organize your ideas using Note Cards. Add Odyssey Writer Page 4 of 6 Indent Right Indent Left
*Click the blue bubble with the T for Tips and pinpoint text. This is where your teacher has included some helpful writing tips. Or use the Graphic Organizer option to brainstorm before you write. Click Paste to file to include your notes as a new page on the drafting tool. 6. Outline View: The notes you make on the note cards or on graphic organizer will display as an outline when copied to the drafting tool. Click on the Outline tab to access the outline view. *This view becomes a new page in the drafting tool. 7. Start your draft, add pages and details. Click Insert menu for options to add a new page or insert graphic. *Any new page added will appear on a new page in the drafting tool. Odyssey Writer Page 5 of 6
8. Use the Spell check feature to check your spelling. 9. Use the Self Assessment feature to self-score your writing/essay according to the Rubric Criteria designated by your teacher. 10. Submit your work to your teacher. 11. Print your work if required. 12. Check for your returned paper on your launch pad and open. (You will see the Teacher Assessment icon where you can read Teachers Comments and check the grade for your paper.) 13. After reviewing your teachers comments make your changes and re-submit. 14. Check your overall success! All grades for papers that have been scored online by your teacher will appear in the Student Portfolio on the launch pad along with any Odyssey Activities you have completed. Click the Student Portfolio on the student launch pad to access your grades! Odyssey Writer Page 6 of 6