Proposal

Narrative

This proposal requests funding for 150 Neo M1 digital smartpens to be used by students registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). The smartpens will provide synchronized audio recording with digitized notes that can be searched, annotated and played back on a computer. We have found that these smart pens are one of the best accessibility tools for students taking STEM courses. Students with disabilities will be trained by SAS staff to use the smartpens to provide independent notetaking in their classes. This will benefit students with conditions including learning disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a range of other disabilities that experience information gathering difficulties. The pens will be loaned to students on a semester by semester basis. These pens will replace current Livescribe pens used by SAS that have reached the end of their life-cycle. We are request 150 Neo M1 Smart pens to replenish our supplies as the Livescribe pens have or are reaching the end of their life-cycle. Also, SAS has an increase in the number of active students (1222 current active students) that want to utilize this technology in order to learn to be independent and not reliant on someone else providing their notes. This is a skill that can transition with them into employment. Neo M1 Smart Pens ($119 each) 150 pens $17,850 College Notebooks (3 pack – needed to use with pens) 70 $980 Total $18,830

Facilities

None

Hardware Requirements

N/A

Software Requirements

N/A

Personnel Costs

SAS provides all the training and maintenance of pens

Other Costs

None

Timeline

SAS staff will train students to use the Neo M1 smartpens. Upon the completion of training and a competency assessment by SAS lab staff, students will be allowed to check the pens out for one semester. They will then be allowed to check them out the following semester upon availability.

Sustainability

The smartpens will provide synchronized audio recording with digitized notes that can be searched, annotated and played back on a computer. We have found that these smart pens are one of the best accessibility tools for students taking STEM courses. Students with disabilities will be trained by SAS staff to use the smartpens to provide independent notetaking in their classes. This will benefit students with conditions including learning disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a range of other disabilities that experience information gathering difficulties.

Resource Matching

None

Implementing Organization

SAS will work with SAIT staff to purchase the pens and add them to our electronic inventory (etch SAS info on pen)