Phenominal typing powers---itty bity living space!
Written: Oct 30 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lightweight, virtually indestructable, cheap
Cons: I'd love an ergonomic (split) keyboard
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| JulieWahm's Full Review: AlphaSmart 3000 |
The AlphaSmart is incredible! My first experience with one was about two years ago. I was a CTAP (California Technology Assistance Project) mentor for my elementary school. We meet about once a month to work on projects for our school. One mentor had a brand new--with all the bells and whistles--Macintosh laptop (retail value around $5,000). Another school had a team of 5 or 6 working on their indepth technology plan--they were using an AlphaSmart (retail value around $200).
I didn't get a closer look until a year later. Some of the parents at our public charter school work for AlphaSmart. They arranged a donation of 20 units to our school. These were to be shared between the 8 classes. Because I was most interested, my classroom became the "host area", so my kids used them often.
My students (2nd and 3rd graders) were so excited the first time I showed them, I let them take their spelling tests on the AlphaSmarts! Then they came up one at a time and uploaded their words. Some of my students really started writing when they got ahold of the AlphaSmarts, and a few of them would choose AlphaSmarts rather than play games during free time.
So, what is an AlphaSmart?
An AlphaSmart is a small (less than 2 pound) portable keyboard with a display that shows four lines of text. The keyboard will save information until you delete it. (If it gets shut off, it automatically save it.)
What does it look like?
The unit (and all of the "normal" keys) is navy blue. It has a regular QWERTY keyboard with all of the usual "extra" keys (numbers, punctuation, tab, etc.) There is no 10 key pad. Above the numbers are the function keys. The on/off switch and the send button are dark dark gray. The rest of the keys are light gray. There are 8 file keys (explained below), and keys for: print, spell check, find, clear file, home, end and enter.
How does it work?
To start, you just push the on/off switch and select a file. (There are 8 to choose from.) You can work on 8 different files, or you can share it with 8 people. Once you've selected your file, you just start typing! Just like a regular keyboard. When you are finished typing, you can just shut it off, the AlphaSmart will save it automatically.
If you are ready to send it to your computer, attach the accompanying cables (both Mac and PC are available and you can get an ISB connector). The cable can remain plugged in at all times. You just plug in as needed. The left side is clearly marked PC and the right Apple Mac/IIGS. You need to open up any text file. After you are connected, you push the SEND button. You can watch the text print on the screen--one letter at a time (but very quickly.)
Unplug the connection, and you are ready to save and/or edit (font, size, etc.) the document. I've used the AlphaSmart with a Pentium, an IMAC and an old Macintosh (pre-power PC) and had the same results.
It is easy to clear your file (and it is easy to retrieve a previously cleared file!) The batteries last a long time, but if they batteries die, there is a NiCad battery that will last 5 more years! You won't lose your info if the batteries die.
What else can you do with the AlphaSmart?
With practice, you can use the AlphaSmart to update a database. It took a bit of experimenting, but you use commas to deliniate the fields. Open your database file and set it up for list. On the AlphaSmart, type in your entry, with commas between each entry.
Example: Joe, Smith, 123 Walker Street, Valley, OH, 66510
Each time there is a comma, the computer will jump (tab) to a new box.
You can import your document directly into a Publishing box. If you are working on a newsletter, you can set up the boxes for the text, and then import it from the AlphaSmart.
What doesn't it do?
It doesn't cook and clean! Oops...that's me! It doesn't do any sort of formating of the text. It will save tabs and carriage returns, but you can't change font, size, color, etc until you have uploaded the document to your program.
Why should I get one?
Price much less expensive than a laptop.
Durability virtually indestructable. If you drop it, the worst that will happen is the display will need to be replaced.
Portability You can carry it in a back pack.
Size Lightweight, smaller than most text books.
Ease of use My 2nd and 3rd graders mastered it in one lesson.
Who could use it? </b?
1. Schools.
2. Homeschoolers.
3. Anybody who writes.
4. Anybody who hates waiting for the computer just to type something.
5. Anybody who would like to practice typing.
6. Epinionated people--write your epinions while you are away from home!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): donated
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Epinions.com ID:
JulieWahm
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Member: Julie D
Location: CA
Reviews written: 54
Trusted by: 18 members
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