My 8th grader writes slowly and has had an AlphaSmart on loan this year for note taking. For HS I may have to purchase a key boarding device. Is the Dana a better tool for HS?
Dana vs. AlphaSmart
I was able to compare both devices side by side last week and the Dana does have a major advantage in terms of note taking - it displays more lines of text than the AlphaSmart and the font can be changed so as to make the printer more easily read. As noted in a post above, the Dana also has a PDA for calendaring etc.
inquiring mom
Re: Dana vs. AlphaSmart
Inq. Mom,
You may want to hold off on the purchase. AlphaSmart just announced a new product called NEO, which sounds like an AlphaSmart update. It has some great new features compared to the AS 3000. Definitely check it out at the AlphaSmart website www.alphasmart.com. Also check out the Community Center message boards.
Many writers and college students love these products because of their instant on/off features, durability, extremely long battery life and portability. It’s not just kids with LDs that benefit!
Inquiring,
You may want to go to the alphasmart website www.alphasmart.com and check out their community boards. This question comes up often and you can see how others respond.
Besides notetaking, why would your son need either device? The beauty of both devices are they are easy to use, instant on/off and automatically save documents. The AlphaSmart is an excellent tool for brainstorming, first drafts, etc and is virtually indestructible and the batteries last forever (unlike laptops). Editing work is best done on the computer and it easily transfers text to the computer.
The Dana is essentially an AlphaSmart PLUS a Handheld device with Palm OS software. It is great for organizing, scheduling, wordprocessing and anything else you use your Palm Pilot for.
Does your school have any available so that your son could try them out?