An Emerging Technology

 A smartpen is a new and promising technology that can be used for note taking and communication.  The smartpen will record everything you write, say, or hear and store it on a built in 2-8GB Flash drive.  This information can then be uploaded to your computer to store or share on the internet.

 The smartpen uses newest NAND Flash, infra-red camera and recording technology to capture the exact motions of the pen and every sound of the reader or speaker. This information can then be uploaded to your computer using a USB cable and the Livescribe Desktop software. This software will assist you further in saving and publishing your notes.

Smartpens can:  Record notes an save them digitally.  Record audio clips and save them digitally.  Playback audio clips on a built in speaker.  Save notes or audio to a computer to be reviewed later.  Publish notes or audio as pencasts online.  Organize your notes on a computer using Livescribe software.  Thousands of downloadable applications increase functionality to a new level. Everything from Spanish dictionaries to guitar chords.  This video can demonstrate some of the features. This video can demonstrate some of the features.

 Use of a Livescribe smartpen requires special paper which includes most of the buttons to function the smartpen and may include extra features that work with applications.

 Livescribe’s online site ( features over 100 applications, ranging from free to $2.99. The utility of these applications is amazing. For example, the SwissKnife® application is capable of functioning as a ruler, stopwatch, counter, and a metronome.

 Pencasts are based on Adobe Flash® technology and play like videos that show what the user was writing and hearing in real time. Using the software included with Livescribe smartpens, you can upload and share the Pencasts with anyone over the internet. You can use Pencasts as a presentation, lecture, review session, letter, whatever you decide the possibilities are almost limitless!  Here is a great example of a pencast!pencast

 Web seminars are offered monthly to educate administration or staff on the details of the purchasing and use of Livescribe smartpens.  Thu, Apr 14, :30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT Thu, Apr 14, :30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT  Thu, May 12, :30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT Thu, May 12, :30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT  Thu, June 9, :30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT Thu, June 9, :30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT  Discounts are offered for educators on the online Livescribe store. Just create an account and you can begin purchasing.Livescribe store

 Smartpens are the next step in note taking and organization. ◦ Easier note taking with audio and visual components. ◦ Connects what the user writes to what the user hears. ◦ Stores all your notes in one place using Livescribe software. ◦ Capable of uploading Pencasts to the internet to share with anyone.  The technology can be used by those with disabilities who would otherwise have difficulty taking notes.  Integrating technology has been shown to increase the enthusiasm and productivity in the classroom.

PROCON Easy to useLarge for small hands Stores writing and audioCannot upload into the smartpen Upload your own pencasts to the internet Large investment Saves all your notes on your computer for you Need specific Livescribe dot paper Over one hundred appsIncludes limited paper and ink Helps students with reading or seeing disabilities Not ideal for recording in large rooms Easy to learnTarget of theft

 Smartpens can be used almost anywhere!  Smartpens are useful in all content areas because it pairs detailed notes and diagrams with exactly what you are saying or hearing while you are writing or drawing.  Some examples: ◦ Smartpens can be used to draw musical notes, and then the notes could be played back simply by touching the notes. ◦ Make study sheets with guided audio. ◦ Make maps with narrated features.  Wherever you are, you won’t miss a beat with Smartpens!

 Livescribe Smartpens are currently being used in schools and colleges all over the world.  There are many articles and reviews available at  In a recent article from Lauren Ormsby, a principal at Ripley High School in Ripley, NY said this about the Echo Smartpen®: ◦ “The possibilities for the use of the Livescribe for educational purposes are endless. The areas we have begun exploring involve the use of the pen in the hands of the teachers. We have really just begun to scratch the surface. To get the pen in the hands of the students would open up more doors for its use.”  Staff and students love using smartpens because they are fun and can improve learning. Lauren Ormsby

 Cost will depend on how many units you need to purchase but there are discounts for K-12 educators.  Livescribe Pulse Smartpen® 2GB starts at $99.95  Livescribe Echo Smartpen® 4GB starts at $  Livescribe Echo Smartpen® 8GB starts at $  Livescribe Echo Smartpen® 8GB Pro Pack starts at but comes with multiple added accessories.  Livescribe Dot Paper can be purchased online from retailers for as low at $17.95 per 4, 100-sheet notebooks. Livescribe Echo Smartpen® Pro Pack

 It is highly recommended that staff attend a web seminar prior to implementation.  Implementation depends on grade levels and funding but smartpens may be made available in only certain courses or to certain special needs students.  The Pulse Smartpen® would be recommended fo schools seeking to equip every student with a smartpen because it is a great cost/performance value.  Web seminars will provide further information and question and answer opportunities for teachers and administrators interested in starting a smartpen program.

 Smartpens can be used by any age level K-12 but secondary education benefits most from what smartpens have to offer in terms of organization and productivity.  Recommended to classrooms with special needs and ESL learners who would benefit from having access to assisted notes.