Assistive Technology - Livescribe Echo Smartpen

Into what category of AT for literacy does the Echo Smartpen fit?

The Echo Smartpen fits under the following categories of AT for literacy:
 
     WRITING: Productivity through text and auditory feedback
     WRITING: Supports for motor skill challenges
     READING: Reading comprehension and vocabulary

Why? How does it work?

Watch a video of the Echo Smartpen in action:



 

The Echo Smartpen provides auditory support for written notes. While taking notes with the Smartpen, hitting "Record" will activate an infrared camera near the pen's tip to record your written notes -- meanwhile, a microphone simultaneously records what is being said. After you are finished recording, you can use the pen to tap any part of your notes for which you want to hear the audio. If you want to hear the entire audio file, you can replay the whole thing as well. You can also speed up or slow down the pace at which the audio plays back.

This opens up so many possibilities to use the pen as Assistive Technology! Teachers can support students by helping them use the pen to:
     -Create vocabulary lists, demonstrating pronunciation and giving an audio definition
     -Draw visual aids, like concept maps, flowcharts, or diagrams, supported with audio explanations
     -Create written work when low vocabulary/motor skills would otherwise interfere
     -MUCH MORE

Notes can be uploaded via a USB cable to a computer in order to keep track of lessons, performance, and progress. You can upload the notes directly in their handwritten form, and then, if you choose, employ an text-recognition application that converts handwriting to typed text. Finally, users can create "pencasts" -- video playbacks of a note page showing notes redrawn alongside the audio recordings.

To see an example of a pencast, click here!

Which of the principles for Universal Design for Learning might be facilitated by the Echo Smartpen and how?

The Echo Smartpen facilitates the following principles of Universal Design for Learning:

Principle 1: Provide Multiple Means of Representation
This principle rests on the concept that different learners are differently attuned to the way   information is presented--people perceive and understand information in different ways. Thus, representing information in a way that appeals to variations makes the content more universally acceptable. This especially applies to learners who may have sensory or learning disabilities or cultural differences. By providing auditory aid (at adjustable speeds) to visually represented information, the Smartpen adheres to this principle.

Principle 2: Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression
Just as learners perceive information differently, this principle encourages support for learners who express and communicate differently what they have learned. Though every student expresses their perceptions in their own individual way, students with language barriers, movement impairments, or executive function disorders may have an especially unique way of communicating knowledge and ideas. The Smartpen facilitates this principle by allowing learners to self-regulate and communicate through various means of expression--text, pictures, and audio support.

Principle 3: Provide Multiple Means of Engagement
This principle upholds the differentiation in preferred learning environments between learners. For instance, while some learners require consistent structure, others may become engaged with the occasional surprise. Some may prefer silence during work time, while others may need to vocalize while they work. Similarly, some learners may prefer visual engagement, while others respond more to vocal/audio engagement. The Smartpen provides multiple means of engagement by providing visual, audio, and tactile motivators.

What types or groups of students might benefit from the use of the Smartpen?    

Realistically, all students could benefit from the use of this technology. However, the Smartpen could provide specifically needed support for any learners who experience challenges with reading or writing. This could include students with language barriers or cultural differences, students with learning disabilities, students with movement impairments, and more. Furthermore, the Smartpen has the added ability to download "apps," or additional applications, and one of the available options is to download language translators, with a wide variety of available languages. Obviously, this would specifically benefit English Language Learners as an Assistive Technology. Other available applications include trivia apps for learning about the states, the presidents, chemistry concepts, and more. This could be a useful tool for motivating and engaging students and providing support for students with movement impairments or executive function disorders.

For what learning goals might the Smartpen be most effective?    

While the Smartpen seems to be a pretty versatile tool, I can see the Smartpen being the most useful for:    

     -Reading comprehension and vocabulary -- Click here to see a demonstration!

     -Pronunciation and speech therapy -- Click here to see a demonstration!

     -Study guides represented through various sensory information -- Click here to see a demonstration!
     -Presentations with support for writing challenges -- Click here to see a demonstration!             

     -Language learning and fluency -- Click here to see a demonstration!      

What are concerns or reservations about the Echo Smartpen?      

Echo Smartpens are a bit expensive in upkeep, depending on your budget and how much one plans to rely on their use. In addition to the initial $200 for the 2 GB pen (4 GB are also available at a higher price), pecial dotted paper must be printed or purchased (a spiral notebook goes for about $20)  in order for the Smartpen's camera to recognize  handwriting, and ink cartridges must be bought (five go for about $9) to replace those that run out, so the cost of use can build up over time. Additional software called MyScript must be purchased for about $30 in order to upload notes to a computer and enact the text recognition application, and this software has been reviewed to be glitchy and lacking in user-friendliness.      

What are suggestions for teachers who are contemplating the employment of the Echo Smartpen?

Given the possibilities offered by the pen's simple versatility, I say "Go for it!" Glitches and upkeep aside, the possibilities as a learning tool are pretty useful and exciting, both for the students and the teacher. I think that this is a fine example of a tool that can be creatively employed according to the specific needs of the user, which is why it is such a great choice as an Assistive Technology. My advice would be to try it out, get inspired, and play with the possibilities--it can only add to your classroom and instruction!