Smartpens: Note-Taking Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

For students with learning disabilities (SWLD), note-taking during lectures and discussions is a cognitively demanding task. The multitasking elements of recording verbal information and the temporal nature of a verbal lecture make it difficult for SWLD to record notes effectively. Smartpens are new technology that can help students to become better note takers by storing verbal lecture information and syncing it up later when students amend their notes. This article provides an overview of the research on smartpens, including two smartpen strategies that improved the note taking of SWLD, and tips for teachers about how to use these strategies in the classroom. Subscribe to LDMJ