Introduction

As we have moved into the 21st century, the role of technology in education has evolved from its reputation as an expensive luxury that does little to improve student achievement or school excellence to a promise of increased performance and achievement for all students. Recent reports, including that of the National Center for Technology Innovation (2004) and The National Reading Panel (2000), suggest that technology is finally achieving mainstream legitimacy. A device that meets all the requirements for teaching and learning in the K-12 environment is the Readingpen, a light-weight (less than 3 ounces) pen-shaped computer that is low cost, practical, and easy to use. While it “feels” low tech and familiar, it can fulfill a wide variety of significant teaching and learning actions.

Educational Significance

The Readingpen provides teachers and learners with instruction and assistance in the following areas: fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension, English language learning, management and tracking, assessment, and special education. When it scans over a word or a line of text, the Readingpen “reads” and pronounces the text through its small speaker while the student listens using earphones.

According to the National Reading Panel, “Software, to match teacher performance, must be adaptable to a very broad range of responses from learners”(2000). The Readingpen is both adaptable and intuitive. After a brief training period, students find it accommodates the instructional requirements of a wide variety of learning styles and abilities.