This document provides information about smartpens, portable notetakers, and accessibility features of Apple devices. It defines each tool, describes their features and uses. Smartpens allow synchronized audio recording and note-taking. Portable notetakers are word processors that can connect to computers. Apple devices have many built-in accessibility settings for people with disabilities. Support resources are available from manufacturers for each tool.
2. What is a
Smartpen?
A smartpen is a high-
tech assistive technology
tool that allows students
to record spoken words
and synchronizes them
with notes taken by the
pen (Leibs, 2016). Picture from wrightslaw.com
3. These pens have many modes and are small computers built into a pen shape
that allows this tool to work as a basic pen or a high-tech learning resource that
includes a microphone, USB port, headphone jack, and processor.
These pens have a small screen on them (called an OLED screen) which allows
the user to see and check the different modes accessible by the pen such as
time, battery life, a calculator, recording playback, volume, and piano
capabilities.
The main feature of the smartpen, recording audio while the user takes notes
and synchronizing them to the recording, allows the user to replay any portion
of the recording by tapping on words written on the smartpen’s special paper.
Each sheet of smartpen paper “contains a grid of thousands of microdots that
make the page interactive. The smartpen's high-speed, infrared camera reads
the dot patterns and can digitize handwritten notes and sync them with
corresponding audio. The bottom of each page displays interactive icons you
tap on to perform functions such as recording or pausing audio or placing
bookmarks” (Leibs, 2016).
(Leibs, 2016 and Fleming, 2016)
4. •Never miss a beat- record
conversations, lectures,
music, etc.
•Connect written words with
audio recording for storage
and reference of important
information
•Become familiar with high-
technology devices and usage
•Connect auditory and visual
learning
These pens can be used by students with learning disabilities, anxiety
issues, speech and language difficulties, physical impairments, and the
general education population.
5. •Create good study habits with note taking and lecture recording that can
be referenced for projects, homework, studying, etc.
•Relieve stress and anxiety related to classroom tasks by ensuring that
students have information that can be referenced as well as ensuring that
students do not miss any information
•Students gain confidence in using technology in a variance of levels as
technology standards are a part of state and nation-wide curriculums
•Students can record audio to support their writing when their writing
skills are lacking
•Students can use these pens for interviewing people for the school
newspaper, for documenting important events in their history classes,
tracking the steps involved in long division, record classroom
instructions for reference, etc. The possibilities are endless.
6. Smartpens start at $99 and range depending on the amount of
memory storage they come with. Smartpens are available with 1 to
8GB. They can store anywhere from around 200-800 hours of audio
recording. The special paper that must be used with these
smartpens is available at $7 for a notebook. Livesscribe.com is the
leading seller of smartpens and its accessories. The leading
smartpen models are the “Echo” and the “Pulse.”
Picture from cpointlc.com
(Fleming, 2016)
7. A portable notetaker is a high-tech
device that works as a portable word
processor which then can connect to a
computer to input the information
typed directly onto said computer. It
can also be used in replace of a typical
keyboard for any computerized activity
when connected to a computer
(ATTOP, 2005).
Picture from dmpsptandot.pbworks.com
8. There are several types, makes, and models of portable notetakers. Braille
Notetakers are incredibly popular amongst the blind and visually impaired
community.
The row of white you see
here are keys with raised
dots on them for the Braille
language
The Braille notetakers are like the
smartphones we have today, with
all the same capabilities, except for
the calling feature. Users can
access the internet, access apps,
type documents, send e-mails, etc.
Wow! Did you know that the Braille notetaker can convert any document that
can be put online into Braille and has text-to-speech capabilities?
Picture from abc.org
(ATTOP, 2015 and Hong, 2012)
9. There are several models of portable notetakers but many of them come
with these features……
•Word Prediction Application or Co-writer
•Word Processor that Includes Spell and Grammar Check
•Keyboarding Application
•Writing Templates
•Connects Work to a Printer
Check out this combination of a smart
pen & notetaker which scans and
mimics what is written on paper onto
the notetaker screen which can then
be exported.
Picture from hdwalls.xyz
(ATTOP, 2015 & Hong, 2012)
10. •The device can easily go where you go
•All documents can more easily be typed
for neater more professional looking
work
•Learn a
useful skill-
keyboarding
•Input notes
from device to a
printer or to a
computer for
safe keeping
•Be ready to
jot down
notes and
important
information
from
anywhere
you go
•Keep yourself
informed with
practices of
the latest
technologies
•Keep personal and educational
information at your fingertips
Picture from lightintheboxblog.com
11. Notetakers can be used
by all students in a
classroom for writing
activities, activities that
require note taking,
studying, drafting and
editing, etc.
Notetakers are especially
useful for students with
disabilities as well.
Students with physical impairments who do not have the finger strength to
write with traditional paper and pencil can type all of their documents.
Students who are visually impaired can access this tool for a number of
resources and programs. Those with speech disorders have another outlet for
communicating needs. Those with learning difficulties can store important
information for reference.
12. Picture from justinchilders.blogspot.com
Notetakers have a huge range of
cost depending on the model,
features, and storage available on
them. They start roughly around
the $2,000 mark and increase
from there (AFB, 2010).
Braille notetakers range from
4,000- 6,500 roughly. The
average dollars spent on one of
these is $6,195 (as cited by
Hong, 2012, p.2).
13. Picture from magplus.com
A lightweight (only 25 ounces on average)
tablet computer, created by the Apple
Corporation, with a multitouch display that
can be used for audio and visual outlets,
optimal display of books, magazines, and
movies, web browsing, millions of
applications for games, educational
purposes, and leisure. The list of purposes
these devices serve is far too long to list.
14. Stay focused on a task by limiting
functions within an application. You can
also restrict areas on your Apple device.
Look at objects or writing on your
device larger and more clearly
with a digital magnifying glass.
See suggestions for your next word when
typing with a simple tap of your finger.
The suggestions are based on content
and/or words you have used in the past.
Adapt your device to your own physical
needs by creating your own gestures to
signify clicking, pinching, or any other
device function.
Use this tool to have the device’s
screen read, navigate, or hear
anything under your finger when
this setting is on.
A subcategory of VoiceOver, Apple
iOS devices support many systems
of Braille display screens.
(Apple, Inc. 2016 & 2016a)
15. There are many other accessibility features on Apple devices, beyond the ones listed on the
last slide. iPads, iPhones, and iOS devices are designed to be universal so that everyone,
regardless of disabilities, has the same access to the information and technology available on
these devices. Below are some features that assist and benefit the following disabilities.
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•VoiceOver
•Magnifyer
•Braille
Displays
•Closed
Captioning
•MonoAudio
•Assistive Touch
•Predictive Text
•Keyboard
Shortcuts
•Guided
Access
•Safari Reader
(Apple, Inc., 2016a)
16. Picture from usodep.blog.govdelivery.com
Accessibility features can be
turned on and off through
the “Settings” tab, followed
by clicking the “Accessibility”
button. Here VoiceOver is
being accessed in this way
with several options within
that category to improve the
iPad experience for the user.
There are also many shortcuts
to turning on these devices to
make it easier for users as well
as switches that can be linked to
the device to again ease
accessibility for all.
17. Picture from ipadsforeducation.vic.edu.au
•Universal design for learning is
acknowledged by the device- just about
anyone can learn to use this device with
or without disabilities
•Access to millions of educational
websites and applications
•Access to research outlets
•Keyboarding skills, ability to explore and
meet technology standards
•Access to virtual classrooms, new ways to
demonstrate learning, new ways to
explore and process information, etc.
•TOO MANY TO LIST!
18. iPads range in cost based on the
model and available storage
space, screen size, and features
it comes with. The lower end
iPads are roughly $150 and up.
The higher end models can cost
as much as $1,000. The average
(I say average because there are
iPads embossed with gold and
decorated in diamonds worth as
much as $8 million dollars) iPad
cost somewhere in the $300-
$500 range (Costello, 2016).
Picture from wonderouspics.com
Picture from exponent.com
19. Smartpens come with an
interactive brochure for
set up. Turn on the
smartpen and touch it to
interactive bubbles
within the brochure for
step by step instructions
(Leibs, 2016). Livescribe
is the leading smartpen
manufacturer. Visit
Livescribe’s support
page for more info
http://www.livescribe.c
om/en-us/support/
Many of the features
are accessible via the
“settings” tab.
However, Apple has a
great site for
explanation of
features and
troubleshooting as
well as a contact info
page.
https://www.apple.c
om/support/accessib
ility/
Notetakers, especially Braille
notetakers, take many hours of
exploration, practice, and
training from a skilled
professional before use
becomes natural. Schools must
provide technology support to
student users. AT specialist in
your area can also be
contacted for support, talk with
your local hospital or insurance
provider for recommendations.
20. American Foundation for the Blind [AFB]. (2010). Accessibility Options-
Productivity on the Go: Notetakers, Netbooks, and Everything in Between. AFB
Access World Magazine. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw110406
Apple, Inc. (2016). iOS- A Wide Range of Features for a Wide Range of Needs.
Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/#vision
Apple, Inc. (2016a). Use Accessibility Features in iOS. Retrieved from
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204390
Assistive Technology Training Online Project [ATTOP]. (2005). Keyboard Options:
AT Basics- Portable Notetakers. Retrieved from
http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/AdaptingComputers/KeyboardOption
s/portable.php
Costello, Sam. (2016). Comparing Apple iPad Models and Prices. About, Inc.
About Tech. Retrieved from http://ipod.about.com/od/beforeyoubuy/a/ipad-
model-price-comparison.htm
21. Fleming, Grace. (2016). Pulse and Echo Smartpens by Livescribe. About
Education. Retrieved from
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/schoolsupplies/fr/pulse.htm
Hong, Sunggye. (2012). An Alternative Option for Dedicated Braille Notetakers for
People With Visual Impairments: Universal Technology for Better Access. Journal
of Visual Impairment & Blindness, October-November Issue. Retrieved from
http://qa3nq3jm4u.search.serialssolutions.com.une.idm.oclc.org/?sid=EBSCO:ERI
C&genre=article&title=Journal%20of%20Visual%20Impairment%20%26%20Blind
ness&atitle=An%20Alternative%20Option%20to%20Dedicated%20Braille%20Not
etakers%20for%20People%20with%20Visual%20Impairments%3A%20Universal%
20Technology%20for%20Better%20Access&author=Hong%2C%20Sunggye&auth
ors=Hong%2C%20Sunggye&date=20121001&volume=106&issue=10&spage=650
&issn=0145482X
Leibs, Andrew. (2016). What is a smartpen? About, Inc. About Tech. Retrieved
from
http://assistivetechnology.about.com/od/TechnologyforReadingWriting/a/Ibooks
-Offers-Print-Disabled-Free-Accessible-Content.htm
