[Athen] LiveScribe Smartpen

[Keith Kolander]

I try and have a group session to train them all at once, if possible.
I give them a handout which includes a few pages from the user guide,
and a quick reference guide I compiled, including care of the pen.

I go over the parts of the pen, using the notebook, the various settings,
and the basic operations.  I give them earbuds w/mic to use with the pens.  (It pretty much
eliminates the scratchy sound you hear if you record without it.)

I have them all do a test recording to make sure they are comfortable using it.
I talk to them a little about taking notes, and leaving some gaps in the notes to fill in later if needed.

I go over taking care of the pen, including stressing the importance of keeping
it charged up.  I go over a bit of the Livescribe Desktop software with them.

I give them a CD which includes the full documentation, my
quick reference guide, and a couple of videos from Livescribe on
using the pen and taking notes, which are pretty good:

http://www.livescribe.com/blog/education/2012/10/24/webinar-recordings/

I check on the students during the semester to make sure they
don't have any questions or problems with the pens.  I don't check on the
quality of their notetaking.

So far the students using them really enjoy it.

Keith Kolander
kkolander at stchas.edu<mailto:kkolander at stchas.edu>


From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Evan Hale
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 10:52 AM
To: 'athen-list at u.washington.edu'
Subject: [Athen] LiveScribe Smartpen


Hi Everyone,



I work for the Assistive Technology department at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA, and we have been loaning out Smartpens to students with disabilities for almost 2 years now.  Recently, it has come to our attention that our students are not really utilizing the pen effectively due to their inability to take quality notes.  I'm sending this message to find out how other institutions are handling the Smartpen, how they are training students, and how you are supporting students with the note taking process.



So here are a few specific questions related to the Smartpen and

notetaking:



1. What is the process you are using when training a student on the Smartpen?  Do you simply go over how the pen works, or do you provide any additional training on the process of note taking?

2.  Do you provide additional note taking support?  Do you have any requirements (such as note taking training) prior to loaning out a Smartpen?

3.  Do you do any check-ins during the semester to ensure your students are taking quality notes?

4.  Do many students return their pen mid-semester saying that they are either not using the pen, or that it is not useful in the classes they are taking?



Thanks so much for any information/insight you can provide.

Evan Hale
assistivetech at qcc.mass.edu<mailto:assistivetech at qcc.mass.edu>

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