May 31, 2007
Inventor Markets 'Smart' Pen to College Students
A smart pen unveiled Wednesday at a digital-technology conference in Carlsbad, Calif., isn't even on the market yet, but Rodney Brooks, director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is already hailing its potential to change the way people process information, according to an article in The New York Times. The pen, which looks like an ordinary ballpoint, is embedded with a computer that photographs whatever is being written. The pen is also equipped with a microphone that records what is being spoken, so that people using the pen to take notes can later play back the recording and elaborate on their notes. In a docking station, the pen can transfer files to and from a PC. Jim Marggraff, inventor of the device, says he plans to market the pen for less than $200 to college students in the fall.
(Click on photograph below to view video that shows how pen works.)
"Anyone that is writing notes on paper wants to capture the information, they want to access the information," Mr. Marggraff was quoted as saying in the article. "We are giving a way for people to essentially forget about forgetting."---Andrea L. Foster
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Such a device, however, may chill free speach within the classroom, both the instuctor’s and many of the students’.
Tom McDonnell
Professor of Law
Pace University School of Law
— Thomas McDonnell May 31, 01:45 PM #
I’d like to see how the microphone performs in the real world. Classroom acoustics, noises from other students and interruptions from outside might hinder the audio quality.
I’m also curious how this enhances or supplements paying attention in class?
— Steven Splinter May 31, 02:03 PM #
I use a digi-recorder and I get permission to record… to record in a classroom environment where people speak freely, it not permitted. I am sure that if the provost is queried on this, I am sure that this issue would be clarified in no time at all.
— ShaunG May 31, 06:46 PM #
I wonder what affect the ability to photograph what is being writing will have on students taking a test. A student might take a test in the morning and pass the information on to another student in the afteroon.
— Stephanie May 31, 06:57 PM #
Wouldn’t it be great if the word “chill” was never used again outside the refrigeration industry?
Splinter’s comment hits the nail on the head. Reading course materials and paying attention in class are the right solutions, unless the problem is to show how rich your parents are.
— S. Britchky Jun 1, 03:32 AM #
Imagine all the trouble a student can cause being ‘James Bond” like in private areas such as a locker room, in private conversations, and at parties. When I was a student I saw a lot of crazy stuff. Forget about Big Brother I am more worried about Little Brother and Sister! Of course one could argue cell phones are a problem too. What next, a ring that can film everything the user points at?
— Tom Brignall Jun 1, 07:40 AM #
Don’t you know? It is technology so it has to be good for the student…right? :-)
— Tom Brignall Jun 1, 07:42 AM #
I am troubled by the grammar and spelling errors in the previous posts. ...” may chill free speach (sic) …” Yikes! This is from a Law Professor?!? More subtle, but still wrong: “I wonder what affect (sic) ...” The use of “affect” in place of “effect” is a common affectation.
— Tom Moses Jun 1, 08:06 AM #
I’d like to see it also accept text alert messages from the school.
— Caroline Jun 1, 08:32 AM #
Interesting that no one has mentioned copyright in this issue. Yet another opportunity to disregard the rights of others – copy, privacy or otherwise.
— Rob Jun 1, 08:40 AM #
High stakes testing beware!
— John Jun 1, 10:07 AM #
Let’s look at the invention’s potential good than highlight imagined negatives. I am a cheerleader for anything that will enhance students’ performances.
— R. Meade Walker Jun 1, 01:15 PM #
Times must have changed a lot since I was in school. I had a small tape recorder and used it to tape lectures in Ancient Civikization etc. all the time. The room was full of recorders and I never heard anyone complain. As long as permission is obtained first, there should not be a problem with any type of recording device. The recording was valuable to me. I used it to check and enhance my notes each night. The sound quality was poor but it was for personal use and it helped.
— H. K. West Jun 4, 09:19 AM #
Did any of you actually watch the demonstration? I definitely understand and agree with many of you on all the potential negatives; however, when used in the right capacity, this could be quite a helpful tool! Ha…do students use anything in the right capacity these days? ;)
— Angie Jun 5, 09:59 AM #