Gary’s also one of the leading advocates of creative thinking in Australia. As part of the workshop Gary gave everyone a unlined journal – he refers to them as a creative thinking journal.

This got me thinking about how I use my Livescribe Pulse Smartpen and it dawned on me that the Pulse Smartpen and our own unlined journals are a perfect example of how technology can support creative thinking in a natural, unobtrusive way.

The Livescribe Smartpen captures what a person writes and allows them to add audio if need be. So whether a user is drawing mind maps, brain storming, or simply making written and verbal notes, the Pulse Smartpen and pads capture this content. Importantly MyScript then allows a user to transcribe and share this content.

To support creative thinking, we’ve created a new bundled solution called the Livescribe Creative Thinking bundle. The pack will include a 4GB Livescribe Pulse Smartpen, a set of Creative Thinking Journals, and MyScript for Livescribe. Until the end of March, we’re also offering free shipping on this bundle.

If you’ve already got your Smartpen, you can purchase a set of Livescribe Creative Thinking Journals for $49.95.

Finally, if you want more information on how to embrace creative thinking, or to fire up your mojo – then visit Gary’s website or sign up for his Expresso newsletter.

A lot of what we know is based on feedback from student users as well as the many dedicated disability support officers who do a wonderful job.

Livescribe Adding Real Value

What we’re hearing is that the Livescribe Pulse Smartpen is having a really positive impact. Students, parents, and teachers have found the Smartpen is helping the learning experience and is now an integral part of the student’s life.

Here are 5 key points:

1. Livescribe has changed how they take notes – this was an almost universal piece of feedback. Because Livescribe captures the audio, students are now less worried about taking detailed notes or keeping up with the teacher as they are able to take brief notes on key points during a lesson and then fill in content afterwards by replaying the audio.
2. Recall is much better – this is a point I wish more able bodied students would pick up on. For those students using Livescribe they are experiencing greater retention of learning’s as they are replaying key parts of lessons and recalling the knowledge both verbally and through their own additional notes.
3. Students don’t feel so alienated – Livescribe not only gives them some peer credibility in the classroom (they’ve got the cool talking pen) but it also means they feel less ‘odd man out’ in the classroom as they can often participate like other students rather than requiring (as much) special attention.
4. Parents can take more of a mentor/tutor role – Livescribe is helping parents help their children. This was really nice feedback to get. On many occasions we’ve spoken to parents and even grandparents about how Livescribe has helped them focus homework and recall efforts on critical parts of the lesson.
5. Greater interaction between teachers, students, and parents – following on from my last point we’ve seen on a number of occasions teachers, support staff, students, and parents working interactively to ensure students have clear content to review or learn. For teachers, it’s often as simple as a short 2-3 minute one on one dialogue with the student where either will make written and verbal notes regarding what material to review as homework or additional learning.

Interestingly, we’re now starting to see Livescribe used in more and more lower grades – primarily by teachers as they seek to capture and share content inside and outside of the classroom.

One key barrier that I’m hearing about all too often is schools and teachers denying these students the opportunity to use Livescribe in the classroom. Whilst the concerns of teachers, and administrators are real and valid, there is nothing stopping these concerns being addressed.

This is something we plan to focus on in the coming months.

In the meantime, if you have a story to share please feel free to use comments or drop us a line – we’d love to hear how you’re using the Livescribe pen

The Livescribe team has kindly organised a social event with Jim on Monday night the 17th February.

Details of the event are here

This is a great opportunity to meet Jim and some of the team – including the Smartpen team.

I hope to see you there.

NOTE – there are some current problems downloading v2. If you experiencing difficulties please let us know. These problems may persist until the 24th or 25th November

I did manage to download and get a version working on one of my machines and I have to say I’m really impressed.

Here are the points that I think stand out:

• The new look and feel is great – They have really added a lot to the user interface. It feels different – almost crisper. Clearly some work has been done on the back end as it seems to be loading multiple books faster than before.
• New Search Features – This is a great improvement as it now allows you to nominate how and where you want to search.
• Multiple Item Delete – this is the stand out addition to the Desktop. The option to now select multiple items and remove them from the Smartpen or the Desktop
• Proxy Server – this has been a constant issue for many of our customers – so I’m pleased that the app now includes options to configure internet access via a proxy server.
• Improved Zooming – this is a nice addition – the option to change the zoom when you look at a Livescribe book. It means you can zoom in and out, changing how many pages are displayed.

Overall, I’m giving the new version an 8.5 out of 10.

There are still a few navigation tweaks I think need to be included and some bigger ideas around how the content is organised.

But in the meantime – well done Livescribe team.

Livescribe was recognised in the consumer electronics section with a runner-up award.

It’s great to see Livescribe being recognised around the world. Given what we expect to see in 2010 from Livescribe I wouldn’t be surprised to see further recognition.

Keep up the good work team

If you have upgraded to Windows 7 (we will be shortly) and you have a Livescribe Pulse Smartpen – then you’re in luck.

Livescribe Desktop v1.7 is compatible with Windows 7. To get Livescribe Desktop v1.7, simply go to the Livescribe website and follows the links through the Support section of the site.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line

So if you’ve been wondering about Pencasts – could you use them in a learning environment? Watch this Livescribe Pencast as it’s a great example of how to use this feature.

Sigh…all we need now is integration to Microsoft OneNote and Apple Evernote…

PC Authority is one of the highest circulating technology magazines in Australia. Known for their rigorous testing of new technology, receiving a Recommendation is high praise for the Pulse Smartpen.

But all good things must come to an end – or do they?

We’re currently investigating whether we extend the special offer or even create a special offer or special bundle.

We need your feedback.

If you purchased a Pulse Smartpen how important was it for MyScript to be included?

Should we extend the offer?

What are your thoughts?

Friday was the final day of the Assistive Technology Forum and I was looking forward to another cracking day showcasing Livescribe to the assembled delegates.

Given this was the home town for the organiser I was expecting a great day – and they didn’t disappoint. You kind of forget that Newcastle’s like a big country town – so when you meet locals like Tony Wilks or Veronica McLoughlin – you realise how much you miss the country…

As we experienced earlier in the week, visitors to our booth left amazed at the capabilities of Livescribe and yet again, I was able to rely on existing customers to do demo’s for us.Yet again, the unanswered question is how we can integrate Livescribe into other products and deeper and better into your Learning Management Systems – we’ll keep sending your suggestions and thoughts up to the team in the US.

Thanks also to those who stopped by the booth. Clearly some of you have a very funny sense of humour given the written notes in the pads – the funniest? Yes I have a shiny head. And for those Kiwi’s who stopped by and worked out that I’m a Rugby fan – not funny.

If you attended and have any follow up questions, feel free to contact us.  Hopefully we’ll see many of you at the next event.

thanks