Created by Kate Todd for Children with Disabilities in the Library.

1. AlphaSmart
Created by Kate Todd
for
Children with Disabilities in the Library

2. Brief history
• In 1993 AlphaSmart was
introduced as an alternative to
high cost computers
• Then, you could get 30
AlphaSmarts for the price of
one computer
• With new features,
AlphaSmarts became more
expensive while computers
were cheaper

3. What is an AlphaSmart?
A keyboard, whose main purpose is word
processing

4. Some good things about AlphaSmart
Portable: use outdoors
or at Starbucks
Durable: can even be
dropped
Long battery life: 700
hours on AA batteries
No Internet or other
distractions

5. Uses for the AlphaSmart
• Writing assignments
• Keyboarding skills
• Student notetaking
• Text to speech

6. AlphaSmart in the classroom
• In one class, AlphaSmarts
were kept on shelves
around the room
• When students were
writing, they could choose
a computer, an
AlphaSmart or pencil and
paper
• There was no stigma
attached to choosing an
AlphaSmart for writing

7. AlphaSmart and parents
• When students are classified with a disability,
the school district may provide assistive
technology
• Some parents want the child to have a laptop
computer since they feel it has great value
• Parents view an AlphaSmart as a less desirable
alternative

8. AlphaSmart and students
• I knew one student, eligible for
assistive technology, who chose
an AlphaSmart over a laptop
• I asked him why
• He said, “When I use a
computer, I spend so much time
choosing a font that I never get to
finish my homework”

9. AlphaSmart in public libraries
• In 1997, Richard Wanderman suggested
circulating AlphaSmarts in public libraries but
librarians were not convinced
• In 2001, North Bend (OR) Public Library
reported circulating AlphaSmarts inside and
outside their libraries
• In 2004, Hartford (CT) Public Library received
LSTA funds to purchase AlphaSmarts for their
ESOL classes

10. AlphaSmart and Renaissance Learning
• In 2005, AlphaSmart, Inc. merged with
Renaissance Learning
• We know them as the distributors for
Accelerated Reader
• They now highlight the product names Neo2
and Dana

11. Is there a future for AlphaSmart?
• Unfortunately, I believe the use of AlphaSmarts is
declining
• Recently, it was highlighted on a retro technology
web site
• But schools may still have them and they are
valuable for students who are easily distracted