Neo 2 By AlphaSmart

Presented by Eli D. Clarke

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Advantages 1. Movable lab 2. Easy to use3. Less threatening than computes 4. Work individually and or in groups 5. Use as Thesaurus6. Transfer writing files to Google docs and

Microsoft Word (text editors)7. Transfer files wirelessly 8. Wireless printing

Disadvantages

1. Training 2. Limited spell check3. Limited Thesaurus4. Shared Lab

Teaching Ideas:1. Dictation from the instructor or recordings 2. Compose and type simple or complex

sentences 3. Writing Portfolios 4. Spelling quizzes 5. Learn or improve keyboard use6. Reinforce typing lessons to increase speed

and accuracy 7. Interviewing a classmate

A quote from the expert…

From Susan Gaer: As for myself, I teach the lowest level, but we still use the AlphaSmarts for all the things that we would usually write. ~I recite the letters, students type into AlphaSmarts, and we put on board. ~Same with numbers. ~It's very simple at my level, but I think what's important is that we use them for everything that a student can do with a pencil and paper. ~

Troubleshooting: Applets

When you turn ON the Neo:1. If you see the message:

“Select a SmartApplet and press enter:”

2. Move the cursor to: “-AlphaWord Plus 3.3” and press the “enter” key

Let’s use the NEOs!

Where is the ___ key?

• On/Off • Ctrl • Backspace • C, V, X • Delete • Escape• Spell Check

• Enter • Send • Clear File• Print • Arrow Keys • Delete • Escape

Using the Spell Check:Ignore Word

1. Type “Andres”2. Press the “spell check” key3. You will have 4 options

I = IgnoreE = Edit C = Context A = Add

4. Press “I” to ignore

Using the Spell Check:Edit Word

1. Type “eatten” and press the “spell check” key

2. Move the cursor down and place it in front of the correct word, for example: Eatten – patten –batten –fatten – eaten

3. Press the “enter” key to replace the word

Place the cursor in front of the correct word

Using the Spell Check:Add a Word to the Dictionary

1. Type “ESL” and press the “spell check” key2. Press the “A” key to add the word to the

dictionary 3. You will get a message saying ESL has been

added to the dictionary.4. Press any key to exit Try the words Oaxaca, Juana, or Mario.

Copy and Paste

To copy, cut, and paste text, you can use the same keyboard commands that you use in Microsoft Word.

To copy text, select the text and press ctrl-C To cut text, select the text and press ctrl-X To paste it, press ctrl-V

To send data from one NEO to another without using a cable

1. Move the NEOs within 3-5 feet of each other. 2. The receiver opens a blank file, and presses

ctrl-B. 3. The sender opens the file to beam, and presses

ctrl-send. If the file that the receiver chose was not empty, a message will ask the receiver if he or she wants to overwrite it or append to it (that is, add the beamed text to the end of the file).

4. After the file is beamed, the receiver presses any key to accept the file.

Clear File

1. If you want to delete all the text from one of the files, press the file number, and then press “clear file”.

2. Then, press the “Y” key for yes when the NEO asks if you’re sure you want to clear the file or press the “N” key for no.

Print

1. Make sure you check spelling before you print

2. Verify that the printer is ON3. Connect the Neo to the USB cable on

the cart 4. Press the “Print” key

Questions?