Computer inside pen has a good script for learning

Computer inside pen has a good script for learning: "Computers continue to shrink and appear in all sorts of forms. Consider Leapfrog's newest device: the FLY Pentop computer. That's correct. It's a computer packaged inside a pen.

Targeted at children ages 8 to 13, known as the tween market, the FLY Pentop uses paper as its display instead of the traditional computer monitor, and it creates interactivity by providing audio responses to the pen's drawings on paper.

To allow paper-based computing, the FLY Pentop combines many technologies. For instance, it works only with paper that has FLY dots embedded in a special matrix.

The FLY pen also has a computer processor, an optical sensor that allows the pen to determine its location on any piece of FLY paper, and real-time audio capabilities. By using character recognition technology, the pen can identify tween handwriting and other special characters or symbols.

Kids interact with the FLY by creating menu icons on the provided paper. Writing the letter M and drawing a circle around it creates the main menu.

By tapping on the encircled M, the FLY will voice the various menu options, including scheduler, calculator, time, notepad, settings and games. To select one, the user is instructed to draw a check mark next to the menu button and tap on it when the application he or she wants is mentioned.

Afterward, the audio will instruct the users to draw additional menu icons that are relevant to operating each application.

For example, let's say your child decides to use the calculator application. The FLY will tell your child to draw the digits 0 through 9 and the symbols +, -, x, (DIVISION SYMBOL), (EQUALS) and a decimal point inside a rectangle, and thereafter, when you tap on the numbers and functions, the paper and pen will behave like a calculator. Tap 4 x 3 (EQUALS) and the pen will announce 12.

The scheduler is a pretty straightforward reminder application. Once you have programmed a reminder, the FLY will turn itself on long enough to announce your appointment. The notepad application has less utility because it remembers only three-word notes.

Kids who tested the computer were particularly drawn to the games applications.

The FLY has three built-in games, and it comes with a pad of 10 more interactive games and two additional fold-out game boards. The built-in FLYtones game is "awesome," according to testers, because it allows them to create a keyboard and drum set on FLY paper and then record their own music.

The FLY, which costs $99, transforms into an exciting personal learning tool when add-on software packages are slipped onto the top of the pen. With "FLY Through Spelling," the FLY becomes an interactive personal tutor for your child's spelling lists by creating fun games to help learn the words.

With "FLY Through Math: Multiplication and Division," it checks each step in the process of doing multiplication or division problems and explains any errors. Because FLY paper looks like regular paper, kids can even do their math homework on it. The FLY also can be used as a pocket Spanish translator with "FLY Through Spanish," or as a test tutor for middle schoolers with "FLY Through Tests."

Each add-on software package costs about $24 to $35, and eight add-ons are available.

FLY paper comes in notebooks and pads that range in price from $5 to $10. Because add-ons are required to take best advantage of the FLY, parents should carefully consider how much extra FLY paper and more programs will cost once their youngsters master the standard device."

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