The technology has played an important role in human beings’ life. No matter if you are eating, dressing, living, or learning, you probably use one or more techniques in the processes. For language learning, using the technique becomes common in the classroom. I found out one language learning tool which claimed that you can use the pen-based computer for the pedagogical purpose. Here is the link of the product webpage and introductions on The New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/technology/30pen.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=livescribe 2007&st=Search&scp=1
http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/index.html
It just not put the camera on the top of the pen but also can record sounds for simple steps at the same time. Learners can play and watch what they record at any time and speed they want. Teachers can use it to prepare their classes or give additional instructions for some learners. Also, teachers can share the videos in blogs or use it for distance teaching. I just want to know if anyone uses this product before or similar techniques in your teaching? What do you think about the effectiveness of it in learning the foreign languages? If not, will you use it in your class? And what will be the pros and cons by using this technique?
I'm familiar with some of the earlier products mentioned in this article and have seen a commercial for this pen, ...but have some doubts about how effective it may be in the ESL classroom.
ReplyDeleteWe used some of leapfrog books (mentioned in this article) for low level ESL students in our community ed classes, but they ended up in the storage unit about a year or so later. They might have been a good idea for children, but even children tire from using the stylist pen, ...or they break it.
My own experience using a stylist pen was somewhat stressful, so I've already got doubts about how responsive this enhanced version will perform. The first thought I have is for how safe it will be in the hands of those who use it since it's packed with so much technology and may easily end up on the floor or underfoot.
On the plus side, I could see the potential for my students to use this with writing and having immediate feedback for grammar and spelling. It's small and protable, so it could fit on all the tables without blocking the student's view of the teacher. I guess time will tell.
I don’t know anyone who has used this pen for teaching, but it sounds like a great tool to use as a supplement. It definitely has great features such as voice recorder, camera, and it can even preserve digital copies of notes and recordings which can be shared with others! It sounds promising, but just as all new technology products; there will be further improved versions as technology advances.
ReplyDeleteWith this in mind, one thing I’m not sure about is the price. Although it is about $200.00, it’s still a high amount to pay for something fairly new. If it has little things like caps that can get lost, are they replaceable? Besides, what kind of paper can you use it with? If it’s not regular paper, is the paper required expensive? What about the ink? I would not jump into buying the pen without considering the facts.
I think that for teaching purposes it might be useful as a supplement only if it serves the purpose, but as far as taking notes, it can be done in an inexpensive way using the traditional method of paper and pen, or even through the use of computer for note taking.
I have a friend who uses one of these. And he spends more time playing tic-tac-toe and making pianos (which you can actually play with the pen!) than actually taking notes, tho he did take a lot of notes (but he did a lot more playing!). That might just be him.
ReplyDeleteI saw something a few years ago which helped students learn to write chinese characters, it was part of livescribe (it could have been Japanese, it was a while ago). I couldn't find it on YouTube but if someone finds it they should post it here. It would also sound out the words when you put the pen over the ones you write. Which is a good way to check if you wrote what you thought you did. It did this for many other languages as well. I am not sure if this ever made it into the shipping product or it was just a prototype. Maybe I'll have to ask.
There are also applications that can guide users thru learning vocabulary by saying things like: Draw a circle. Draw a House, et cetera. Which might be a fun way to lean these words in the language that the commands are given.
Future.
There is a guy in one of my classes who actually uses this pen. I think it is a brilliant idea, but only brilliant for some. Some people, like A.C. says, will just fool around with them pen. But, if used properly, I think this pen could really help English Language Learners, or learners of other languages for that matter. The recording device is a wonderful tool to use too. The ELLs can playback what the teacher said if they didn't hear i correctly or if they need to hear it slower.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that A.C. talked about. The pen will read what you highlight.
There is a child's toy (educational tool) that has been out for a while that kind of does the same thing. The LeapFrog company has put out a lot of educational reading tools, just like this pen, to help children learn. Maybe the pen is just the adult version ^_^
The LeapFrog pen will allow children to touch a word and it can be read to them. There are many other things this pen can do.
At any rate, I think that the pen could be used from many different reasons, you could use the pen for language learning in all types of settings. The only thing you would have to watch out for, as with all technology, is making sure that the students don't play with them too much and don't learn from them.
In my opinion there are some doubts for the smart pen in becoming an effective tool for teaching second language and also it is not very commonly used for this purpose. Actually, it is not worthy when you compare smart pen price with the benefit of it and it always requires ink and paper which some students may not be able to afford it all the time.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to that, it is not practical for elementary school learners, because, they would not know how to use it appropriately. I think that learners would most likely break their Smart pen within the first week.
However, I strongly believe that Smart pen is very useful for college students and journalists because it may save much time for them. If the student or journalist misses some information that s/he couldn’t write down for some reason, Smart pen will record the entire lecture or interview while s/he is taking notes.
I agree with Sarerone, that Smart Pen is a great tool for professionals with very busy lifestyle.If you were ELL in that age, then LeapFrog can help you - you already had benefited it. If you are in true need for Smart Pen - you are not the student in ESL class for sure.
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