A newer technology that will make teaching and learning easier is the Pulse SMARTPEN www.livescribe.com. Like most new technology, I approached this “pen” with hesitation. So many items that are suppose to make life easier actually give me a headache when first trying to use them. So it was with apprehension that I opened my Pulse today.
I have to say, it was amazingly simple to start using. “Tap here,” and away I went. In about 30 minutes, I’ve become fairly proficient and am having a blast. ( Scroll down to read everything it can do and the specs) For students, this is invaluable. Not only does the pen record everything you write visably, it also records audio.
In fact, the SMARTPEN does more than I thought it would and the available information for learning how to use it makes it very simple; not the least bit intimidating, even for non-tech-savvy people like me.
By the way, it was really easy to plug the docking USB cradle for the pen into the computer after downloading and installing the software (very quickly, I might add) and it was ready to rock-n-roll.
I’m afraid this little pen is going to go from something to write about to something addictive- and will make an awesome gift for a few writer friends and an engineer husband. I am thoroughly impressed!!
The pen is a link between my laptop and what I jot down. Very valuable for taking notes, interviewing or keeping track of things. Later, you can go back and search for things in the documents you create. For instance, if a student wrote the word “test” and the date somewhere in their notes, they could go back and search ”test” later and find it.
| Hardware | |
|---|---|
| Product Design | Sleek ergonomic design with anodized aluminum housingCharcoal blue with silver band & black accents |
| Processor | Samsung ARM 9 (32-bit, 150 MHz) |
| Screen | 96×18 OLED Display |
| Camera | High speed infrared camera (over 70 images/sec) |
| Storage | 1GB NAND (over 100 hours recording time)*2GB NAND (over 200 hours recording time)* *Actual available memory will be less. *Actual recording time varies by audio quality setting. |
| Battery | 300 mAH rechargeable lithium (non-removable) |
| Audio – Record | Dual (embedded) smartpen microphones – mono recording3-D Recording Headset – binaural or stereo recording |
| Audio – Playback | Embedded speakerAudio jack (2.5mm) for 3-D Recording Headset |
| Computer Connectivity | USB mobile charging cradle |
| Size & Weight | Length: 155mm (6.1 in.)Width: 14mm or 0.55 in. (bottom) to 16mm or 0.63 in. (top)Weight: 36 Grams (1.3 oz.) |
| Desktop Software | |
|---|---|
| Livescribe Desktop | Computer Desktop Software (download)
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| Online Community | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Web Apps & Services | My Livescribe Account250MB Online StorageCommunity for posting and sharing content
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Hey Beth,
I totally agree with you. I’m addicted to my Pulse pen and use it for everything now. I’m a student at ASU and it has come in handy for lots of my classes. Not only that, it helps students want to take better notes, now that they will have a use for them in the future.
If any of your readers are interested in buying one they can save 5 percent by using the code Scribe5A03 at http://www.livescribe.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Catalog.woa/wa/default
Comment by Bryce — November 12, 2008 @ 7:24 pm