AlphaSmart 3000s and Dana

I have a student that says she cannot copy down the notes in class because it is too difficult for her to bring and use her alpha smart. I have seen her with it and she also carrys a labeler.

I have printed out some notes for her at times but there are times when I write things on the board or on the overhead and I cannot have it typed for her.

My question is how difficult is it to use an alpha smart. Is it really quite a burden for the student, or is it like a typewriter that prints up the text immediately? I am sure it is also dependant on the individual we are talking about. She seems like she is very capable and I have been told by her “academic support teacher” that she should be able to use it.

I am just wondering if it is really quite a burden to use?

Thank you.

-TSchultz

What exactly is her difficulty?

It’s about as easy as it gets — but I would want to knkow what trouble *she* has. If her difficulty is getting things from board to p-aper — far point copying — then alphasmart or writing, that’s going to be difficult regardless. However, if she can get someone else’s notes and type them in she would be okay. So if somebody else could stick carbon paper (hmmm… can ya still get that stuff?) under their notes or do it on that cool paper forms in triplicate are done it, it would help her be more independent.

Some kids have trouble with the tiny alphasmart screen. It only shows about eight lines, in black and white. Physically they are very light to carry around and all you have to do is turn it on and start typing. Does she know how to type? Hunt and peck can be hard and slow.

The AlphaSmart shows 4 lines of text, not 8 and I would argue that for some kids (not all) the small number is a plus, not a minus.

How much text do you need to see when you are actually writing? The line you are on. It’s the editing process where you need to see more and I would argue that if you’re doing heavy editing on the AlphaSmart you’re using it for something it was not designed to do; It’s a writing tool, not a substitute for a computer.

The way to get the most out of an AlphaSmart is to do your informal writing on it, then send that writing to a computer where you fix it up, spell check it, etc.

I’ve been using AlphaSmarts since a year after they were invented AND I have and use a variety of computers and other tools. The AlphaSmart, when used as a computer companion, not replacement, is a fantastic tool for almost any writer.

Is it possible that she thinks the alphasmart is not cool or that she dislikes drawing attention to her disability? I know that many middle and highschoolers think that the alphasmart and the dana are babyish and embarrassing. My son uses a cheap (relatively— about $750) laptop instead at school.

SPin can be everything — the student who tried one at the end of last semester thought it was the “coolest” and that’s what the general attitude became. I think it was sort of a big Palm Pilot in their heads or something :)

The AlphaSmart does (at times) suffer from the “Special Ed Scarlet Letter” but you should know that the AlphaSmart is used more by regular ed students than special ed students: 80 / 20.

Professional writers use the AlphaSmart
Commercial airlines pilots use the AlphaSmart
Court clerks use the AlphaSmart
Doctors use the AlphaSmart
Educators use the AlphaSmart
College students use the AlphaSmart
etc.

I gave an AlphaSmart to Arthur Miller (famous playwright) and he loves and uses it. He’s also using a Dana (new product from AlphaSmart that runs Palm OS).

But, it is true that if the context you first see an AlphaSmart in is “special ed” then it can and sometimes is tainted with cooties forever more.

Too bad, great tool.

The AlphaSmart shows 4 lines of text, not 8 and I would argue that for some kids (not all) the small number is a plus, not a minus.

How much text do you need to see when you are actually writing? The line you are on.

Hi,

As an adult with NLD/ADHD, I need a big screen even for writing. Due to lack of sleep, it is hard for me to explain but if I don’t have a big enough area to view, it feels too crowded.

Also, when I am writing, many times, I will notice a sentence located several lines from my current location needs revising. Or I might decide that what I am saying isn’t doing a good job of expressing my point and start over again.

That’s why even though I am a big fan of the palm pilot, I do most of my work on the computer and use the palm for mobile purposes.

PT

I do most of my work on a computer too but for informal writing on the road I find the AlphaSmart very handy and the 4 line screen isn’t a bother for me. I’d find it a bother if I were doing finished writing on it but I use it with the knowledge that I’ll be doing major editing on a larger screen, later.

Remember, it’s a $198 keyboard that runs on 3 AA batteries for 1000 hours and is nearly indestructible and ought not be recommended as a computer replacement, simply as a computer “compagnion” or “extension.”