A Human Voiced Communication Tool or I Never Knew I Could Do That with the LiveScribe Pen

I've been suffering from "Blogger's Block" of late which is surprising considering I just got back from NECC 09 and have "written" many posts in my head. Unfortunately, getting them from my head to the fingers has been especially challenging. I'll ease back into writing with a quick post about a truly innovative way to use the Livescribe SmartPen. I learned about this at the Livescribe booth at NECC09.

If you are new to the SmartPen technology, it is a phenomenal computerized pen that links audio to whatever you write "so you never miss a word!" Great for students who struggle with notetaking or benefit from repetition and review when they need it.
But, here's the incredible part. The Livescribe SmartPen is also an affordable communication support tool! With a human voice no less! Read all about it here - "Augmentative Communication: A Low-Cost and Lightweight Communication Device with Natural Speech."

Here's one way to create image or text-based pages:

1. With the smartpen turned on, but with Paper Replay Record off, write a word on the page.
2. Tap the Paper Replay Record button.
3. Write a check mark (or other small symbol) next to the word.
4. Speak the word.
5. Tap the Stop button.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the list of words.
7. To use the page, the nonspeaking user simply taps on the mark next to each word to hear it spoken.

It is possible to create a communication book with laminated pages.

Additional points to consider:

• The pen that created the pages is the only pen that will work to play back the audio. So, velcro may come in handy here.
• The device user will need to be able to manipulate the pen to touch the keyword or symbol for playback.

Another portable, affordable and cool way (see also the Proloquo2Go which is more full featured) to provide communication support for people who have difficulty speaking.

The Next Generation of Smart Pens

Check this out! (This link was sent from an AT listserve that I belong to.)

LiveScribe is a product in development that takes paper-based computing to new levels. It's not a free product but looks like it has incredible potential for students who struggle with note-taking, organization and/or memory issues. Here's the company's description of one of their products:

Never miss a word – One of the key applications at launch for the Livescribe platform is called “Paper Replay,” which allows total recall from lectures, meetings or conversations by simply tapping on your notes. When used to take notes during a discussion or lecture, the smartpen records the conversation and digitizes the handwriting, automatically synchronizing the ink and audio. By later tapping the ink, the user can replay the conversation from the exact moment the note was written. Notes and audio can also be uploaded to a PC where they can be replayed, saved, searched or sent.

Create, share, and collaborate – Other applications will use the power of the Internet to enable personal expression. Handwritten messages can be sent as emails. Animated, hand-drawn “movies” can be posted and shared online. Spoken messages can be recorded, linked with written notes and emailed directly from a notepad.

Watch the company video here. Does it look cool or what? And seems reasonably priced for under $200.

They have a few other products in development that you can check out. The website says it will be available in the fourth quarter. I can't wait to get my hands on it to test for some of the students with whom I work.