Wayne EngineeringDevelopers of Visual and Motor Skills
Wayne EngineeringThe Talking PenŽ is a proven tool for developing perceptual-motor skills from basic diagnostics to advanced training. Although applications are almost unlimited, it is most often used to diagnose and develop gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, laterality, directionality, auditory perception, form perception, ocular pursuits and spatial relationships. It has been used successfully with the learning disabled, the visually impaired, the brain injured, the hyperactive and the dysgraphic individual.
The pen unit is compact, portable and easy to use. It is battery-operated with a rechargeable battery. A charger/adapter is included.
The Talking PenŽ makes repetitive manual tasks seem like a game, which encourages practice and improvement. Because the pen provides immediate auditory feedback it becomes self-correcting and can be used without direct supervision. The User can work at his own pace, and the immediate feedback helps both the diagnostician and the User to quickly pinpoint the problem area.
An infrared sensor located in the tip of the pen picks up reflected light and triggers a buzzer to let the user know when performance is correct. The pen will respond to any light/dark pattern; and different colors will produce different tones. Shadings of the same color will produce different tones. Segmented or broken lines are used to produce rhythmic tones. The pen helps improve auditory discrimination while developing motor skills.
When the tip of the pen is on a dark area, the pen is silent. If the tip is moved to a light area, the pen "squawks." To silence the pen move the tip back onto a dark area.
The Talking PenŽ integrates visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile cues to improve performance. Instead of developing these skills separately, the pen enables the user to advance in all areas simultaneously, thus reducing training time and effort. This integrated approach produces better carryover to the performance of everyday tasks.
Because user needs vary, there is no single best way to use the Talking PenŽ. You do not need to buy special patterns; sample tracing patterns are included in the manual. The beauty of the pen is that it can be used with any workbook pattern, newspaper, poster, or self-made pattern on any surface. It is also possible to work in space, i.e. following a flashlight with the tip of the pen at a distance.
While familiarizing user with the operation of the pen, do allow a greater latitude for correct performance. Adjust the Sensitivity Knob as described in the Operations section of this manual.
When the basic broad-lined patterns are mastered, gradually continue to more difficult patterns. No additional equipment is needed, thereby eliminating any transference interference. Progress from gross to fine motor skills with smaller sized and narrower patterns.
All models of the Talking PenŽ can be used with optional standard headphones such as those available from the manufacturer. When headphones are worn, there is no distraction either to the user or to the environment. In addition, only the user is aware of a mistake. Headphones reduce auditory interference from the environment and enable the user to concentrate on the project while working with the Talking PenŽ.
Located on the top of the case. Pull knob UP to switch "ON". The tip of the pen will light up. Rotate the knob for volume and a change of tone.
Located on top of case. This control adjusts sensitivity to contrast between line and background; adjusts Pen's sensitivity to different width lines; controls different tones produced by different color contrasts.
Located on top of Models IV & VI for selection of auditory or visual response.
Located on top of case for adjusting to comfortable sound level.
Located on the top of the case. Charger/adapter plugs into the jack for the charging the sealed-in-batteries.
Located on the top of the case.
Important: Read the following before using your Talking PenŽ.
To make a permanent record of the tracing activity, place a sheet of carbon paper face down between the pattern and a blank sheet of paper. As pattern is being traced, every movement will be recorded through the carbon paper. Set a timer to determine how quickly a nd accurately task is performed. To keep a permanent record, write name and date on the carbon copy.
Any pattern in the printed manual may be duplicated on a standard copy machine.
Place a clear sheet of plastic over the pattern being traced to protect it and at the same time provide another work surface.
The rechargeable batteries in all Talking PenŽ models are fully charged when shipped from the factory. If your unit does not emit a signal when touching a white surface, recharge the batteries as follows:
The pen is triangular shaped and easy to hold and operate. Grasp the pen like any writing tool with the thumb, index finger and middle finger. Hold the pen at no less than a 45 angle from the writing surface. If you wish, you can adjust the Sensitivity Control so that the pen does not produce a sound if not being held at the proper angle.
Start with a large wide-lined pattern, and practice until accuracy is attained. Then trace the same pattern with smaller narrower-lines. Continue practice until goal is reached. Evaluate successful carry-over by removing pattern and having User trace the pattern free-hand.
Use a pattern of black dots in a circle similar to numbers on a clock. Hold the pen above the paper and touch each dot in sequence, first clockwise and then counter-clockwise. Every time the pen misses the center of the dot, a sound is produced.
To develop hand/eye coordination, place the dots randomly on a white surface and repeat this exercise.
By placing white dots on a dark surface in a circle or random position, a sound will be emitted every time the pen touches the dot. Thus, making it easy to monitor performance.
Use a pattern of interwoven paths. User must trace each path separately from start to end.
Include camouflages of numbers, letters and shapes on a background of interwoven lines. Identify and trace these objects with the pen.
Draw geometric shapes of various widths and heights on a plain background. Ask the User to correctly trace certain objects on the page. By keeping a carbon paper record under the tracing, it is easy to determine how well the User perceives various shapes without direct supervision.
Use the pen with any handwriting program.
Use the pen for tracing connection dots to form letters or words
Use the pen to practice capital letters alongside its small-case letter
Use the pen to develop association and discrimination of size and form.
Use the pen to practice commonly reversed letters, i.e. b/d and p/q. Assign sounds to the different letters by making them in different colorsl. The letter "b" can be a lighter color (to simulate the sound of a buzzing bee.) and the letter "d" can be a darkeri color (the silent sound) Make the letter "p" in a solid color, and the letter "q" in a stripped color to simulate a quacking sound. Letters above the line can be made a different color or shade than the letters (or tails) below the line.
Practice directionality by using different colors, shadings, or stripes at the junction where paths cross as in the cursive letters b,f,k, and I.
To alert user where to start and where to finish, add stripes at the beginning or end of the letter which will cause a different sound to be emitted.
Make letters or numbers in stripes to emit a rhythmic sound beat. Make the line thicker above or below the line to alert user when the pen crosses over the line.
Use different colors, shading, and /or patterns to produce different auditory signals.
Using a flashlight beam as a moving target, point the tip of the pen on the beam and follow the beam as it moves around. Pen signals when it picks up the light.
Practice repetitive patterns, signatures, etc with the pen. gradually transfer acquired skill using a regular pen.
Trace "eye charts"
Trace Lighthouse cards to reinforce shapes of objects, i.e. house, umbrella, etc.
For additional mobility training, run tape on the floor of a contrasting color to the floor. Attach pen to heel of shoe. When shoe strays off the tape, an auditory sound is emitted.
Talking PenŽ Model III recommended.
The Talking Pen can be coupled into a hearing aid.
Trace a horizontal number 8 right to left and left to right.
Make one half of pattern in one color and the other half in another color to produce different tones.
Plug Talking Pen Model IV or Model VI into a radio or tape recorder for voice or music. Or, use our six second tape to record a repetitive message. Sample of repetitive message could be "You're doing great, keep the pen on the pattern."
Remember, to select a negative type feedback, put the Mode Switch on SOUND ON WHITE. If pen strays off the dark pattern, the pre-programmed loop recording could be "Put the pen back on the line."
Use a white marker to make patterns on dark pattern for sound on the pattern.
Posters are fun to trace.
Advertisements found in newpapers and magazines have white patterns on dark background.
We are certain you will not be limited by the above suggestions. Different applications will occur to you as you become more familiar with your Talking Pen unit. Would you please share your new applications with us.
The following suggestions for good penmanship are from The International Association of Master Penmen and Teachers of Handwriting. F.D. Richardson & Eileen Richardson.
Sit well back in the chair. Lean slightly forward from the hips. Sit squarely in front of the desk.
Keep the feet flat on the floor, about a foot apart, the left a little ahead of the right.
Place both arms on the desk so that the elbows are off the edge of the desk about three quarters of an inch.
Hold the pen lightly. It falls across the big finger between the root of the nail and the first joint. Place the index finger on top of the pen so that the end of the finger is about an inch from the point of the pen.
The thumb is placed at the side of the penholder, the end of the thumb being about a third of an inch behind the end of the index finger. The thumb is bent slightly. Curl the third and fourth fingers under the hand just enough so that the hand can glide on the nails of the third and fourth fingers. No flesh of the writing hand touches the paper. The wrist does not move from side to side.
The end of the pen points over the right shoulder.
The function of the hand is to hold the pen. Try not to move the fingers. The whole arm moves right from the shoulder. When you get your hand into the correct position, imagine it is in a cast and the only way to move it is from the shoulder. When this technique is mastered, writing is tireless and speedy.
Remember: to secure success in teaching penmanship, it is essential to start out with big letters...and gradually proceed to the normal smaller size letters.
SIMILAR TO DEVELOPING ANY SKILL, IT TAKES PRACTICE AND MORE PRACTICE TO DEVELOP GOOD HANDWRITING.