Anyone using Alphasmart computer??

[Andy]

I wanted one of these for my 10 yr old last year in 4th grade. Didn't get one. He only had a 504. Now he has an IEP. Want one now. The O.T. called me yesterday to tell me he does great on computers We know that already. Current teacher states"he just bangs on it??" She stated they haven't gotten them in. I have an IEP update meeting this Friday. Getting out my pointy hat!!! This is the Season!!! Is it a laptop? He has horrible writing and it can help him communicate better. Has it helped any child in school?

[Dakotah]

Andy I thought Alphasmart was for verbal communication. I very likely could be wrong and am remembering the incorrect name. I had students with CP that couldn't talk so they used this computer. Maybe there are different kinds- I bet there are. The one we used was like a laptop. But no keyboard. It had a touchscreen screen.

I just went on alphasmart.com and I am wrong There are many different kinds. Ignore my post- sorry I couldn't help!

[eaccae]

Andy - DS has an alphasmart Dana and it is fantastic. He used it for a little while but we couldn't get a 504 or an IEP and the teacher didn't want to use it. When the principal and the rest of the team thought that its continued use was a must it was too late becasue DS - who really wants to please - already knew that his teacher didn't want it in the classroom. I have taken it over and I personally love it.

The alphasmart family has 3 - the original alphasmart, the dana and the new neo.

The Alphasmart works basically like a word processor. It comes with alphaword. When you turn it on it the screen is exactly where it was when it was turned off - and it saves automatically - so if it accidently gets turned off - there is NO loss of data. It uses the 8 function buttons as files - so it has 8 files that can be typed into. It prints directly from the printer. Drawback - the screen is small.

The new Neo is the alphasmart with a larger screen area and a "sleeker" casing. From the looks of it - it looks like it types like the dana - which I personally think types beautifully!!!

Both of the alphasmarts can run various "applets" or programs written directly for them.

The Dana is more like a palm pilot - the palm operating system and the touch screen - with a keyboard. It also has alphaword assigned to the different function keys. But it has a memo, scheduler, etc. and can run many different palm programs - MANY progarms have now been written in widescreen format now to accomodate the Dana's screen. One of the programs that we have, for example, is ThoughtManager - a more indepth outliner. Templates can be written so that "new" files can be created instantly off the template. We had a "homework" template set up for each day. We would click on "new", "homework" and the homework chart would show up for the week. DS was to type his homework for the day in next the the corresponding day and the teacher was to use the stylus to initial the corresponding box. Well - the teacher just didn't do that. Anyway - there is no boot up time - as with a laptop - or color screens or games - all of which could be very distracting to an adhd child. It can also connect directly to the printer . . . ANd just like the other alphasmarts - it auto saves everything and when turned off - turns on directly to the last screen. The reason we wanted the Dana was for the organizational tools that we thought would help DS.

If your son has horrible writing or dysgraphia I would definitely write this in!! It can make a huge difference. But I have found with DS's experience that it didn't help if the teacher went into it with a negative outlook! DS is not one of those kids that is worried about being different BUT once he sensed the teacher's negative attitude he refused to use it (which was too bad because he was originally really into it). When the teacher had her change of heart it was too late for her. This year we are doing okay without it for now but we may need to add it back during the middle school years.

I know that from the dysgraphia board I am on - so many children are helped by the alphasmart. I hope this helps.

[Andy]

:DThank you for soo much information! That was wonderful. Can the children take the keybaord home or are they school bound? I will be bringing this issue up on Friday!

[eaccae]

Andy -
Most schools will let the child take it home but if it gets lost, stolen or damaged it is up to the child & family to replace it. It is really HARD to damage any alphasmart product. They are made to withstand falls onto concrete, etc. - VERY rugged! Anyway - it is necessary, in my opinion, that your 10 yr old take it home so that he can also do his writing homework on it. Even though DS didn't use it due to the teacher - he still did all of his writing homework on it last year - he even typed answers to worksheets that involved a lot of writing! The USB cable plugged directly into the printer and he printed his stuff out at home and turned it in.

[mrsheartbuzz]

The alphasmart is a great tool. We like the one with the smaller screen because we need less info on the page to follow(forgot what thats called). My son didn't like it at first and refused to use it. We are having the school give him keyboarding as well as his usual "technology time" with the class. He has been more receptive since we started keyboarding. The school should provide it for class, at least. We are in the market for a used one on the internet to keep at home.

Sandy