Dyslexia is a term used for a disorder that results in difficulty reading letters, words, and symbols. This can not only affect one’s speech but also how their brain interprets words and their writing as well.
So, for example, a student might struggle with writing notes and understanding what the teacher says. This is obviously not a pleasant situation to be in. But there is something that can be done to help them. Two words: Smart Pen.
Although everyone can use smart pens, they are an excellent tool for people with dyslexia. We will tell you how they can help people with dyslexia, but first, let’s talk about what smart pens are.
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Table of Contents
What Are Smart Pens?
To keep it short, a smart pen is a device that basically acts like a pen while having additional features. It contains a built-in computer, a camera, and an audio recorder that allows the person to not only record data but also save and upload it. So how it works is that it has a special infrared camera built at the top of the pin, and its purpose is to record everything you are writing with the smart pen.
There is a special paper that needs to be used, and it has a dot positioning system that enables the camera to record all the strokes of the writing. All because of the microdots that are placed uniquely.
Moreover, you can also record any audio. All you have to do is click the ‘ON’ button on the paper with the smart pen, or in some cases, there are buttons on the pen itself. And to top it all off, if you need to transfer the recorded audio as well as your notes to your computer, you can do that through a USB. After that, you can go through the recordings and notes on your computer.
How Can a Smart Pen Help People With Dyslexia?
Now that we have gone through what a smart pen is and how it works let’s talk about how a smart pen helps people with dyslexia. In general, people with dyslexia have an issue when it comes to focusing their attention. This puts them at a disadvantage in situations where they need to focus on what’s being said, like in a classroom.
Smart pens help eliminate that disadvantage by giving them a second chance of listening to lectures. That way, they can take their time understanding what is being said without being rushed.
Smart pens also take away the stress of taking extensive notes at that moment. Since dyslexia is a language processing disorder, it can affect different forms of language, whether that’s spoken or written. smart pens enable people with dyslexia to go at their own pace, allowing them to understand and process everything before moving on.
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Certain environments, such as classrooms or meetings, don’t really cater to the needs of people with dyslexia. Therefore, smart pens help them thrive in any environment they are put in.
Best 5 Smart Pens For Dyslexia Reviews
So enough with the introductions, let’s jump to the main part. If you are new to the world of smart pens and are confused, don’t worry, we got you. Here is a list of the top five smart pens for people with dyslexia. Let’s get started.
1. Livescribe 3 Smartpen
It’s not new news that Livescribe has dominated the market for smart pens, and rightfully so. Because of this, Livescribe 3 smartpen is our first choice. One of the reasons this smart pen is so great is because of its accuracy when it comes to both drawing and writing.
It is really comfortable to use because of its round structure and the rubber grip. Moreover, it is easily synced to the Livescribe app, which makes digitizing the writings and drawing SO MUCH easier. You also have the option of switching on/off the audio recording, either through the app or the icon on the notebook.
Plus, this smart pen also has a great battery life; it can be used up to 14-hours continuously. And charging it is also really simple via the USB port located at the tip of the pin. All in all, the Livescribe 3 smartpen might be pricey, but its phenomenal accuracy, comfortable and easy use make it worth every penny.
2. Neo SmartPen N2
Next on our list is Neo smartpen N2. This smart pen is very elegant looking with a unique design. It has a very easy setup and makes writing and drawing a lot simpler. Not only is the setup simple, but it’s easy to use as well. All you have to do is push a button to switch it on. You can also use pairing and Bluetooth options using the buttons on the pen.
If you are someone who will need to use the pen for a long time with no breaks, this should not be your first choice, considering it has a 5-hour battery life. Meaning it will need to be charged again and again through the USB port located at the top of the pen.
Although its accuracy isn’t the best, it still performs above average. And for what it is worth, it is pretty good. So, if you want a pen that isn’t worth a lot, works well, and you don’t have to use it frequently, the Neo Smart pen N2 is a good choice. But keep in mind, it does require special writing pads and notebooks to function.
3. Newyes SyncPen 2 Smart Pen
The Newyes SyncPen 2 is a hybrid smart pen. By hybrid, we mean that it comes with a special notebook as well as a 10-inch LCD tablet for you to write one. There is a pen nib and rubber tip; the pen nib is used for the notebook and the rubber tip for the LCD tablet. The tablet gives you some extra options, such as additional colors and pen styles.
The pen is high quality and is made up of metal, yet it is still comfortable to use. The conversion from writing to text is really easy, and audio can be recorded when needed by using the app. This is not a cheap option but considering that the smart pen comes with different tips, the notebook, and the LCD tablet, the price doesn’t seem that bad.
4. Livescribe Symphony
Next is another Livescribe product. If you want a good-quality smart pen on a budget, Livescribe symphony is the way to go. It is a great mix of comfortable use, reasonable price, great features, and quality, showing the work the company has put into their products to make them perfect.
As mentioned, the pen is very comfortable to use and is also discrete. So, if you feel comfortable with making it known that you are using a smart pen, don’t worry. Its design is such that other people won’t notice it.
Even you will forget about it after some time. It has a 10-hour battery life and can be charged easily and quickly via USB. So, this is a great go-to option without you having to worry about it dying. Adding to this, this smart pen has a live writing-to-text feature and also allows you to dictate using a paired smartphone. Although the Livescribe Symphony does require a special notebook for you to use, it is a great option when on budget.
5. Livescribe Echo SmartPen
We didn’t lie when we said Livescribe had dominated the market. This model (almost) has it all. This smart pen has great accuracy for writing and drawing, which is crucial. It also is a built-in audio recorder, so you can record lectures or meetings and write them down later. And despite all of its features, it has great battery life.
However, Livescribe echo isn’t a comfortable smart pen to use. Due to its built-in audio recorder, they had to design it such that it accommodated all of its features, which led to the pen being bulky. This makes the pen uncomfortable to use, especially for an extended period of time. But if you can bear the discomfort, this smart pen is a great option.
So here you go, the top five smart pens for people with dyslexia. All with their pros and cons. Remember that people with dyslexia might struggle with certain aspects of life, but they can always be helped in ways that will allow them to thrive without any hindrance.
Technology continues to advance each day, creating more opportunities to help those who would have been otherwise ignored. But these are only the first few steps, and there is a long road ahead of us. Alas, we have to make do with what we have. We hope this list was helpful! Happy learning.
Hi, my name is Eddie, I am a professional trainer specializing in the elderly population and I’m also a website designer. I love training in the gym, going to the beach, traveling, and having good food.
I combined my love for sport and website designing to make “DisabilitEase” whose purpose is to help elderly and disabled people live a more full and active life, have more fun, and enjoy their unique journey despite any disability.