WEGO stands for Writing Efficiently with Graphic Organizers. WEGO has been supported by a series of external federal grants from the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose is to develop several innovative technology tools featuring a technology-based graphic organizer. This tool is embedded with evidence-based strategies and features designed to support essay writing for students, both with and without high-incidence disabilities. Additionally, WEGO aids teachers in making data-informed decisions regarding writing instruction.

TBGO stands for a technology-based graphic organizer. TBGO is featured in all WEGO tools. The A technology-graphic organizer is enhanced with several embedded features such as strategy instruction, self-regulated learning strategies, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) features, video models, educational games, teacher dashboard including an analytic writing rubric, opportunities for data-driven decision making (DDDM), and DDDM maps to guide the process.

All WEGO tools feature technology-based graphic organizers with embedded self-regulated strategies. However, the student and teacher features are different in different versions of WEGO. Click to explore all features available in each of the tools:

• WEGO 1.0 (link coming soon)

• WEGO 2.0 (link coming soon)

• WEGO 3.0 (link coming soon)

WEGO tools are open access and absolutely free for everyone. WEGO 1.0 can be downloaded from our website and used on PC computers with Microsoft Word. WEGO 2.0 and 3.0 require an Internet connection/Chrome browser and the login credentials. You can request login credentials by completing this form. It is absolutely free and will only take you a minute.

You can find numerous instructional ideas and activities to guide your integration of the WEGO tools into your instruction. Click to explore those resources:

• Instructional Materials

Start by reviewing the WEGO Intro Module. It will provide an overview of the most current and fully developed tool - WEGO 2.0. If you would like to dig deeper, extended professional development is also available. There are six self-paced modules that teachers can complete and earn points towards licensure renewal. It is anticipated that the completion of online modules will take approximately 5 hours. In addition, each WEGO tool includes a manual with detailed descriptions.

• WEGO Intro

• Extended Professional Development

• Manuals

WEGO tools are designed to support students through the writing process. They guide students through selecting a prompt, brainstorming and organizing their ideas, constructing and editing sentences into a cohesive essay. While there are some features to support the mechanics of writing, that is not the primary focus of WEGO. Students who can construct complete sentences and have basic digital skills (e.g., typing) will benefit the most from WEGO tools.

We always welcome research partners. Participating in WEGO research entails:

• Completing the six professional development modules

• Developing a long-range plan

• Conducting a pretest to assess students’ baseline writing

• Integrating WEGO tools into instruction

• Allow students to use WEGO tools during independent writing

• Evaluating student writing in the teacher dashboard and making data-driven instructional decisions

• Attending Professional Learning Communities (PLC) meetings

• Conducting posttest with the tool and posttest without the tool to assess improvements in students’ writing

• Sharing your thoughts and experiences in the interview

If you are interested, please conduct Dr. Anya Evmenova at aevmenov@gmu.edu

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View WEGO Terms and Conditions