HollyM Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 (edited) Wondering if anybody has tried the "reading pen" for a child who can read but stumbles over some words (11yo dyslexia here.) I am hoping it may work well enough for him to take interest on reading on his own (he can scan the word he stumbles over and have it read back instead of asking me.) Hoping to foster independent reading. An overview is here: http://www.wizcomtech.com/eng/catalog/platforms/01/default.asp?pCat=8&PlatformID=22 Any experience with it or thoughts on it? :confused: Thanks :) Edited August 11, 2011 by HollyM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrself Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 I haven't used it - hadn't even heard of it. But if money wasn't an issue I'd try it! Hope someone else has more info! :bigear: Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyM Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 Several different websites have it for about 50 dollars less. I think I am going to try it and see how it goes over..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamonaQ Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Report back! Most reviews I have seen are far less than stellar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyM Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 Will do! We would just be using it for single words here and there, hopefully it performs better doing that than what I've read about how it does with complete sentences. I don't want him using it for whole sentences or paragraphs so if it just works on single words that would be fine. When we get it and use it for a week or so I'll report back. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I'd like to know how it works out for you. I am deciding between a talking dictionary and the pen, but I am leaning towards the talking dictionary. I think typing the word in might cement it in his brain more (not to mention they are MUCH cheaper!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houseofkids&pets Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I, too, would love to hear your review of this pen since we are new to the dyslexia diagnosis. Renee in FL, do you have any recommendations about which brand of talking dictionary?? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I, too, would love to hear your review of this pen since we are new to the dyslexia diagnosis. Renee in FL, do you have any recommendations about which brand of talking dictionary?? Thanks! Not really - I am still researching it. I'll let you know if I decide on a particular one, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethAnne Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 We got this for our then-9-year-old son for Christmas two years ago. It was a disappointing (and expensive) bomb. I can't really remember now exactly the reasons he stopped using it, but I know that one issue was difficulty scanning the words (pen has to be at just the right angle and held just-so, or it doesn't work). It was just not a good tool for him. It is not something I can recommend, but I wish I could give you more details as to why... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyM Posted August 13, 2011 Author Share Posted August 13, 2011 Thanks ElizabethAnne! I am hoping they have improved the tracking on it with the newest version - not holding my breath though. I'm going to get it through BHPhoto & Video and they do have a return period just in case it hasn't improved. Thanks for the tip, it will be too bad if they have not improved the tracking - it could be a real tool for dyslexia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyM Posted August 13, 2011 Author Share Posted August 13, 2011 I was also thinking about the talking dictionary but was thinking my son would not use it when reading because it would take him too long to type in a word then he would lose his place (and he has a hard time with that already.) I will try it though if the reading pen turns out be a dud - have to get him encouraged to read on his own somehow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethAnne Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 HollyM, I'd love to hear how your experience with the pen goes. I'd be willing to buy the new and improved version down the road if it works well. We have a son with many challenges, and if we could only increase his reading fluency... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyM Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 I will let you know! I am going to order it tomorrow so should have it by the end of this week. We'll take several days to try using it and I'll report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flopsymopsy Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 We bought this for our ds(13 years old at the time) one year ago. I had signed him up to take some classes at a co-op and was concerned he would not be able to keep up with the reading. He also was wanting to be more independent with his work. For whatever reason, he chose to not use the pen regularly. He played with it a bit but never relied on it for help. It is sitting in his deck drawer. He has a heavy reading load this year(and we started today) so I am curious if he'll grab the pen or just work his way through his books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyM Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 Thanks for your reply Flopsy! I have to admit, I am thinking the pen may have the same fate in our house as well. It might be viewed as a 'novelty' then quickly forgotten on a shelf, we'll see. Fingers crossed anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamonaQ Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Hey, in case you haven't purchased, I have just discovered that our state has a resource that you can borrow various technology to test out. (You can PM for my state if you want), but perhaps your state has one that you can try before you buy (although this may not be something you are interested in) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyM Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 Ok, reporting back on this. Tried, used once and never picked up again. Both me and my child found it cumbersome to use, needed anywhere between 1-4 swipes of a word for it to recognize it correctly (usually 2 or 3 swipes on average). It has trouble on most books unless the page is stark white and the text large and black. Most books printed today have a kind of beige color paper and the contrast just does not seem to work well with the pen, sadly. I ended up selling it and will probably try the talking dictionary next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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