Recently I have reacquainted myself with my Livescribe Smartpen. I purchased it last year and have used it sparingly for a few meetings. Played with some of the built in applications such as the calculator and piano, and have allowed students to use it as well for basic writing activities.
For those who do not know what a Livescribe Smartpen is, I will give a short explanation. The pen is basically a combination video camera/voice recorder. The pen must be used on specialized paper which has embedded time stamp dots on it. When the pen is activated, each time the pen passes a dot it creates a timestamp for each image/sound. All recordings can then be downloaded to a computer and also uploaded as a screen cast. Just in case this makes no sense, I am including a link to a demonstration.
Livescribe Demo
What do you think?
Now that I have begun using the Smartpen again I have thought of so many uses. Aside from having student talk out loud as they are writing, I have many new ideas to consider:
-"Reading" tests to students
-Fluency sample with immediate feedback to students
-Creating "pencasts" for posting to blog or for absent students
-Alternative to flashcards
-Interactive study guide
So many ideas! I am hoping that the Livescribe Smartpen will become a part of assistive technology options for our schools. The price point is definitely reasonable compared to many other technologies. It is definitely portable and user friendly.
I look forward to finding many uses for my Smartpen.
Image Credit: http://www.squidoo.com/Livescribe-Smart-Pen-Best-Gadget-of-The-Year
For those who do not know what a Livescribe Smartpen is, I will give a short explanation. The pen is basically a combination video camera/voice recorder. The pen must be used on specialized paper which has embedded time stamp dots on it. When the pen is activated, each time the pen passes a dot it creates a timestamp for each image/sound. All recordings can then be downloaded to a computer and also uploaded as a screen cast. Just in case this makes no sense, I am including a link to a demonstration.
Livescribe Demo
What do you think?
Now that I have begun using the Smartpen again I have thought of so many uses. Aside from having student talk out loud as they are writing, I have many new ideas to consider:
-"Reading" tests to students
-Fluency sample with immediate feedback to students
-Creating "pencasts" for posting to blog or for absent students
-Alternative to flashcards
-Interactive study guide
So many ideas! I am hoping that the Livescribe Smartpen will become a part of assistive technology options for our schools. The price point is definitely reasonable compared to many other technologies. It is definitely portable and user friendly.
I look forward to finding many uses for my Smartpen.
Image Credit: http://www.squidoo.com/Livescribe-Smart-Pen-Best-Gadget-of-The-Year
