alphasmart presentation
DESCRIPTION
Alphasmart presentation given at the Propel Powerful Practices Confernece on August 17, 2009TRANSCRIPT
AlphaSmart Neo 2
What is the AlphaSmart?
The AlphaSmart is a portable battery operated keyboard that can be quickly connected to any laptop to transfer work.
A student can use the AlphaSmart to type documents, take quizzes, and learn to type.
Getting to Know You
On/Off Key – Upper Left Hand Corner File Keys – The Neo will save a document as a student
is typing in an open file. These documents can be resaved to open up that file.
Clear File – Empty’s a file so it can be used on another document
Applets – Accesses the control panel and Neo 2 Programs
Send – Transfers a document to an open Word file when connected with the USB cable
Changing the Idle Time
The Neo 2 will shut down automatically after 4 minutes of not being used to save battery power.
To change this, hit option--T. Change the time to what is convenient to
your student.
Before you get started,
You need to install the AlphaSmart Manager to your computer. Find this disc and insert it into your computer.
This will provide access to the extended user manual, alpha quiz setup and other programs.
Insert the disc. Double-click setup.exe file. Follow the directions provided.
You will need to click no to search for configuration files from previous installs if you have not installed this program before.
Connecting Your Neo 2
Simply connect the USB cable from the Neo to your computer.
Your computer must be logged in as an administrator to access the Alpha Smart programs.
It may be logged in as a student to transfer files.
Typing Documents
Turn the computer on. A blank file will be brought up. The student may begin typing in this document. The Neo saves your document as you type.
To send this document, install the USB cable from the Neo to your computer.
Pull up a blank Word file on your computer. Hit send, your file will transfer from the Neo to your
computer. If you want to delete this file off of the Neo, hit Clear
File.
Adjusting Font Size
Hit ctrl – option – cmd – F
You can change the font from very small to very large.
Saving Your Neo File on Your Computer
Pull up the file you want to save. Click ctrl-S. Type a name for the file and press enter. You can now clear the file space without
losing the file you’ve saved. To open this file, click ctrl-O and select
your file.
Using the Smart Applets
Smart Applets are programs that are installed on your Neo.
We have access to AlphaWord Plus, KeyWords, Control Panel, and Calculator.
AlphaWord Plus
This is the basic document program we have been using to type.
If you are in a different program and you want to return to this, click Applets, scroll down to AlphaWord Plus and hit enter.
KeyWords KeyWords allows students to learn and practice
keyboarding. Press the Applets key and scroll down to
KeyWords, hit enter. Move the cursor to Add a Student. You will need a
name and password for each student. Once the name of the student has been added,
scroll down to their name and hit enter. The student then completes the lesson on the Neo. Once a lesson is complete, you will see a * next to
the lesson title. A + will appear next to a lesson that has been started, but not finished.
Accessing Student Results for KeyWords
Start KeyWords and pull up the students name. Click on Student Reports. Choose which report
you want. The Student Progress Report includes all lessons that
have been worked on. The last lesson just shows the previous work.
Select how you want to view this report, Send to computer or Transfer to AlphaWord file.
Text2Speech
Plug the headphones into the receiver. The receiver must be directly in front of the
eye of the Neo. Switch to on. After each word is typed, the
student will hear the word read aloud.
CoWriter
Follow the installation directions on the program disc.
This will give students a list of words that the computer thinks the student is trying to type.
This program works best with older students who are good spellers. Otherwise, it may result in a student guessing at a word and choosing the incorrect one.
Once installed, CoWriter can be found in your applets.
More information…
Neo Documentation Disc - holds all user manuals to the included programs
http://www.renlearn.com/neo/downloads/Additional downloads for repairing programs