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New 'Pentop' Computer To Help Children Learn
theodp writes "Educational toymaker LeapFrog is introducing the Fly "pentop" computer, a talking computer hidden within a pen the size of an electric toothbrush. Available in mid-October for $99 at Wal-Mart and Target, the device responds to written commands and is aimed at 9-14 year-olds who can use it as a calculator, a calendar, to create and record music, and to play logic and geography games."
I have 2 kids who are about 14, and I got to say there is no way I would give them something that costs $99 and is the size of a pen. They would loose it in 3 days.
Erlang Developer and podcaster
great!
Now how can I tell my children that hiking, climbing, biking gives much more fun than electronic gadgets??? Do you really think such gadgets are good for children?
Somehow I am getting more and more sceptical about these pseudo-educational gadgets.
michal
Is it just me, or does this gadget come across as just ... stupid and overpriced ? Seriously, you have to buy their "special" paper to use it!
Why would you pay so much for a device without a screen? You can pick up a Palm Zire 31 for around USD$130 and you get something that kids would think is SO much better than a talking pen.
"[the pen] can "see" what you write, read it out loud, and respond to written commands."
Oh yeah, I can just see kids using it to spell a whole load of non-educational words and have the pen read them out aloud in the classroom. LOL!
It took me a while to get hang of using the calculator (the circled "C" is the shortcut), one of Fly's really cool features. Following Fly's instructions, you draw a calculator box with numbers including "plus" and "minus" symbols on a piece of Fly paper. Then, you tap the numbers you want to calculate with the pen, and the gadget makes additions, subtractions, divisions, and multiplications for you. Here, too, you need good handwriting.
OK, so I need special paper, good handwriting, I draw a picture of a calculator, tap the numbers, and it speaks the answer. What could be simpler?
The UI on this thing sounds horrible, and the features it provides don't sound fun or useful, but other than that, it seems like a great device.
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
hejdig.
/OF
Remove the neccessity for special paper (with an accelerometer or some fancy triangulating gadget) and increase its computing power by connecting it to a computer or PDA (by bluetooth) and you might have something. I am not sure exactly what but something.
For instance have the pen somehow buzz which way to draw a line and it/you could make up a new interface on the fly.
I have tried digital whiteboard and wacom board and these solve other problems. If someone figures out how to put these solutions together into yet another solution we might have a cool thing.
I am a big supporter of technology in our school systems - it only makes sense to acquaint kids - to some degree- with what technology is available. However, as per useless technology like this: the focus needs to be taken AWAY from trying to substitute real teaching with toys like this. Plus it's expensive and I wouldn't want my kid taking a $99 pen to school - When I was that age it was hard to keep track of a pencil.
As a sysAdmin, I know you have a dim view of users, but think of it in the terms Why not instead sit down with them and HELP them learn. to be responsible, educated users. There are responsible places your kids can download music. Open frank discussions about pornography and your ability to see every packet & who requested it are enough to curb the porn.
But more importantly, The computer with the correct software can for example, repeat spanish verbs, forever, without getting frustrated at your child. It also has the instant access (that you enjoy) to a vast collection of information, that takes experience to learn how to sift for what you want. Your children will be at a disadvantage to mine, when book reports, science fair, history homework,term papers are due.
I'm not going to lie, It takes a fair amount of police work, nothing you aren't already used to. 2 26yr Olds, No PC in the bedroom. I have to lock the PC's up until chores and homework are done. Check the Router occasionally, Bring ANY unwanted activity to their attention. If they know they are watched they are much better behaved.
I agree, unfettered access can be damaging. However the benefits far outweigh the negatives. If you wait until High School, you won't be able to "teach" them anything. The two boys didn't have PC's until maybe 10 or 12. My 8 yr old, learned to read, spell, do arithmetic and Art, all before PreSchool. It never occurs to her to go anywhere I would find questionable, Except those damn Scientolgist NeoPets (like KidCrack). She is in her 3rd yr of Gifted Student Program. She is very intelligent, but more importantly she knows how to find answers when she needs them. As a side effect she loves to READ, never was a chore, just came naturally to her because of so many hour of Reader Rabbit, Sam and MAX, Math Journey. She also loves the outdoors and sports and (shudder) Video Games.
The Computer is a teaching tool, just like textbooks, chalkboards, construction paper. How you use them determines their effectiveness. You "can" draw pornography on the blackboard, but most kids are taught to behave in class. My kids were taught how to behave in the Virtual World as well.
OSGGFG - Open Source Gamers Guide to Free Games
there is less learning being achieved.
before the advent of electronics children learned a lot more than they are learning now, all these electronic gizmos, computers included, are nothing more than a distraction. look at the quality of education in the last 20 years. teachers are using these items as a crutch, its time to go back to the basics
Note that the preceding rant comes from someone who does not appear to understand proper grammar or punctuation. Perhaps an implicit "like myself" was intended.