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As Moore's Law works its seemingly inexhaustible
magic, more and more (no pun intended) computing power
can be crammed into smaller and smaller spaces.
One result? The pen as computer. We're not talking
about handheld computers or tablet PCs, in which the pen
is a simple stylus. These are pens that are
computers.
Consider the pen-like gadgets produced by Wizcom. Although they look a bit more
like box-bodied, legless praying mantises than ballpoint
pens, they have all sorts of non-insect abilities. Take
the ReadingPen, for example. Drag it over a word,
phrase, or even a line on a printed page and it will
read the words to you. (For a
review of ReadingPen, see the November issue of
Technology & Learning.)
You can also trade up to the Quicktionary pen. It
will translate English to more than a dozen foreign
languages. Scan words or phrases in French; see them
printed and hear them read to you in English.
Imagine this technology in the hands of a high school
student. While reading a novel for Spanish or French
class, the student could use the pen to quickly get
definitions for unfamiliar words and write notes in the
margin at the same time. Change vocabulary modules and
the pen could be just as useful for reading
Beowulf as it is for deciphering the directions
to a complicated chemistry experiment. Anytime esoteric
connotations or specialized jargon come into play, a pen
like this could be a lifesaver.
If you miss your yellow highlighter, Wizcom's
QuickLink-Pen may be just what you need. Roll its beady
little eyes across text and collect a digital recording
of key words and quotables. You can scan and store as
many as 1,000 pages of text and transfer them via
infrared or USB connection to your handheld computer,
desktop, or laptop. You can even capture small
images.
Sound useful? You bet. But imagine what you could do
with a bit more functionality. To begin with, add a
voice recorder. Then, not only could you scan text and
capture images, you could create voice annotations at
the same time. Instantly note why you wanted to save
that particular passage or the name of the person in the
picture. What a neat tool for investigative reporting or
field research!
Techno-toymaker LeapFrog recently introduced an even
snazzier gadget. For one thing, the FLY writes in
old-fashioned ink — but that's the humblest of its
capabilities. To learn about the FLY's myriad uses in
education, see the review in the upcoming February
issue.
But it shouldn't be long before all the possibilities
of the computer pen become reality for anyone in a
teaching or learning situation.
Michael Simkins is creative director of the
Technology Information Center for Administrative
Leadership (TICAL).
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