What is an Echo Smartpen?
The echo smartpen is a writing device that doubles as a recording device. It allows you to record speech while jotting notes in a special Echo Notebook. The notebook page and connected audio can then be transferred to the Echo Desktop computer app so you can listen to a previous lecture in full while following along with your abbreviated notes.
What are the Echo Smartpen’s features?
The pen contains a microphone that can capture audio within the user’s vicinity, after the device is turned on. The smartpen can hold over 200 hours of recorded audio, and saved audio can be played back using the speakers. Ink used to write on the notebook can be replaced once it begins to fade. The Smartpen’s battery lasts about 6 to 8 hours, and can be recharged using a USB cord.
The smartpen must be used with a notebook. The Echo notebook functions to connect the audio captured by the pen to the notes written on a page. The first page of the Echo notebook contains settings that the user can click on using the pen to adjust the Smartpen’s features and mark a new set of notes for each lecture. Each page also has pause, stop, and record sections to use while capturing audio. To playback audio for a specific page, the user must click on the first notes written with the pen.
The Echo Desktop app can be downloaded for free on the PC or Mac. Using a USB cord, the user can download audio from the smartpen, and the desktop app will play the audio along with a display of the notebook pages. This application is helpful for some, but not at all required to fully use the smartpen.
What are the benefits of the Echo Smartpen?
This pen is especially beneficial for students with attention issues or trouble writing. Students who have a hard time following their professor’s speech while also taking notes will get the ability to take notes in class and listen to the professor’s full comments after class. If a student has difficulty hearing the professor in a larger classroom, they can play the audio back in a quieter setting after class, and adjust settings to have the recording be as loud or quiet as they want.
If a student would rather not have people know they are using the Smartpen in class, they can adjust the volume to make the pen silent as it records the lecture.
How can I access the Smartpen?
The Echo smartpen and accompanying notebook is available at ADR at no cost to students. The pen can be loaned for a semester and returned to the office at the end of the academic period. Visit ADR’s Assistive Tech site and email accessibility@wellesley.edu to request a pen. You can also schedule to meet with an SAA who is trained to help you learn how to use the device.
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