NEW INPUT METHODS: WHAT ARE THEY? HOW DO THEY FIT IN THE CLASSROOM? PART 2

What is Handwriting Recognition?

Handwriting recognition is the act of a computer reading what a user writes down on different mediums with a digital or stylus pen. Handwriting is not necessarily faster than keying and it is definitely not as fast a speaking, however handwriting is as fast as or faster than using a mouse (Effective Methods of Teaching Business Education in the 21st Century 126).

Many platforms use handwriting recognition, such as Palm Pilots, Blackberry phones, and tablet PC’s. A tablet PC is similar to a notebook computer, and the cost is similar if not slightly higher for the tablet PC. On a tablet PC you have a normal Windows operating system however the screen acts as a touch screen and you can use a stylus to write notes or draw on (Andrews 524). This is a great tool for someone like a student to take notes in class or an architect to design buildings right on the computer. Being able to use handwriting recognition like this allows for easy transportability and increases the accessibility to their information. Another bonus to handwriting recognition is that it can be learned by students in approximately 45 minutes (Effective Methods of Teaching Business Education in the 21st Century 126).

How does Handwriting Recognition work?

Handwriting recognition works by having the user write with a digital pen on a type of media that will then send that information to the computer to be processed. MyScript^® Notes, a handwriting recognition software package, uses the term “digital ink” to describe the information that the user has written. The “digital ink” is then processed and compared to handwriting that the software has been trained with in a given language. Therefore you can write in any language as long as the software has been trained to recognize that writing style. You can also increase the accuracy of the program by training it to match your handwriting style better (“Frequently Asked Questions”).

Once the software has processed the “digital ink” it can be put to use in many different programs including: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Paint, as well as many other programs (Andrews 525). Similarly to voice recognition software, handwriting recognition software also requires a good computer to run the software, the requirements for MyScript^® Notes are 233MHz and 128 MB of memory ("Handwriting Recognition Software").