Third Blog Digital Search and Curation Digital Curation Tool. Smart Pen
Who Would Have thought that Smart Pens Would
be in Classrooms?
Envision a pen that not only writes but remembers, listens, and syncs your transcriptions with what you’ve heard. That’s the magical world of a smart pen. This pen is a simple piece of educational technology with powerful potential for all who dare to pick it up. As school classroom educators and librarians seek to link analog learning with digital fluency, this smart pen offers a hybrid solution straddling familiar tools with heightened innovation.
The Echo smartpen from Livescribe records everything you hear, say and write, and links your audio recordings to your notes, so you can find what you need with a simple tap.
https://www.mentis.co.nz/livescribe-echo-ii-smartpen
SAMR Model to Appreciate Pedagogical Potential
Levels are deeper- students explore more- when they are in the “transformation” part (modification and redefinition). Image credit: Sylvia Duckworth, via @DavidGuerin
https://theowlteacher.com/all-about-the-samr-model/
Livescribe Echo® Smartpen Introduction Video
To help you better understand how a tool like
the smart pen changes learning, let’s look at the SAMR model (Substitution,
Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura.
The framework helps teachers evaluate how a technology tool can impact learning
for scholars and instruction for the teacher.
|
SAMR Level |
Use of Smart Pen in
K–12 |
|
Substitution |
Replaces traditional
notebook and pen |
|
Augmentation |
Adds functional
improvement |
|
Modification |
Redesign of tasks |
|
Redefinition |
Creation of new
tasks |
1. Substitution: Basic level of the smart pen - substitutes traditional pens. A scholar writes notes in the classroom or library just as they normally would, but digitally. There isn’t any added functionality as of yet, just a different average.
2. Augmentation: The smart pen suggests functional improvements. Scholars can replay an assignment audio straight from their notes, which makes it easier to review multifaceted topics or support scholars with learning differences, such as dyslexia or ADHD.
3. Modification: Transformation is what should be the end result. Scholars could use the smart pen to annotate research steps in an inquiry-based assignment. Syncing can occur for annotation with source explanations, sharing their digital notebook with others, or librarian feedback.
4. Redefinition: At the highest level, students create something entirely new. For instance, they might build a written insight, a digital research journal, peer feedback, and combine voice notes, all organized and captured with a smart pen. This redefines both the task and the way information is communicated.
How Smart Pens Can Be Used in the Classroom and Library
School librarians can empower scholars to
document their record voice reflections, research process, and track their
bases using a smart pen. Younger scholars or multilingual learners, pairing
written words with recorded educators’ explanations can develop understanding
and support accessibility. Classroom educators can use smart pens for scholar
interviews, flipped learning, or even peer-tutoring documentation.
Two Resources to Explore:
1. Livescribe for Education can be explored to learn
how teachers are using smart pens to enhance accessibility and instruction. https://www.livescribe.com/en/education/
2. Edutopia: Assistive Tech Tools That Empower
Students. Shows how smart pens and similar technologies can support all-encompassing
learning environments.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/assistive-tech-tools-empower-students
References:
Livescribe Inc. (n.d.). Smartpens for Education. Retrieved from https://www.livescribe.com
Edutopia. (2022). Assistive Tech Tools That
Empower Students. Retrieved from
https://www.edutopia.org/article/assistive-tech-tools-empower-students
Puentedura, R. R. (2012). SAMR: A model for transformation, technology, and education. Retrieved
from http://www.hippasus.com/rrpweblog/
When I began college the first time, my husband got me the Livescribe pen and several of the notebooks. It was so incredibly useful for studying. I would take notes in class and the pen would record everything the instructor was saying, or event comments from peers. Then, when I would be home studying, all I had to do was touch the part of my notes where I wanted to remember exactly what the teacher had said and voila! There was her voice reminding me of something that wasn't clear in my notes. I think this is a powerful tool for augmentation, as it greatly adds to the study process. In looking at the smart pen through Hughes et al.'s (2006) RAT model, one can see that this pen in no way changes what the instructor is teaching, but replaced traditional pens to reach the same understanding and goal. The efficiency and productivity of note taking is certainly amplified with the addition of voice recording to aid in students' understanding, and the variables involved in the way students are processing the information is expanded, creating a transformation of the learning process. Therefore, the smart pen meets all of the elements of the RAT framework: replacement, amplification and transformation. It is an amazing tool that would be very helpful, especially for those who perhaps write slowly when they are taking notes and would find it easier just to write down a key word in the moment to help them remember the moment they want to refer back to when studying. Thank you for sharing this very useful tool with the class.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies, I forgot to share the citation for the RAT Model article.
DeleteReference:
Hughes, J., Thomas, R. & Scharber, C. (2006). Assessing technology integration: The RAT - replacement, amplification, and transformation - framework. SITE 2006 Proceedings (pp. 1616-1620). https://web.archive.org/web/20211030191410/http://techedges.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Hughes_ScharberSITE2006.pdf
post shed light on the smart pen as more than just a gadget. Instead, you bridge idea between analog habits and digital innovation in learning spaces. I was especially struck by how the Livescribe Echo is framed through the SAMR model, highlighting its ability to evolve from a simple substitution tool into one that redefines how students engage with content. The potential for supporting learners with disabilities, multilingual students, and those developing research or reflection skills really stood out. It made me think about how meaningful tech integration isn’t just about using the newest tools, but about thoughtfully transforming the learning experience.
ReplyDeleteWhere have I been my whole life? I had no idea this technology existed! Looking at the pen through the SAMR model clearly shows how impactful implementing this tool can be on student achievement. I agree with Diamond, this tool has the potential to support so many different types of learners! In addition to the academic benefits, this tool can also improve time management, efficiency, organization, and promotes collaboration.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about smart pens before, but until now I didn't truly know how they worked or what application they could have in a real-world classroom setting. Your post has me entirely sold on them and honestly considering purchasing one for my classroom. It is amazing how much this enhances the note-taking process. As someone who has always loved taking notes, there have been several times where I miss something during a lecture because I can't write fast enough to get everything down. The ability to go back and listen to a lecture in connection with the moment in the notes where the topics were being discussed is a game changer. This would be an amazing way for teachers to create study resources for students who are out sick or are homebound so that they can review the notes, but also get a deeper understanding of the content through recorded annotations from the teacher. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete