We tend to begin New Years with so much hope for the better in the upcoming months. As we transitioned into 2026, that hope is still there. However, unlike other years, there is still a cloud of uncertainty floating around hindering long term planning. With that in mind, we need to refocus our thoughts, look toward what is new, and design what we can with the tools we know will still be here.
We began this academic year with a focus on literacy and we are seeing that continue. The movement back to basics within literacy has shifted how we approach all students, let alone those who may struggle due to conditions beyond their control. What are those tools we can continue to count on and how do we make sure that they are being implemented properly? As we get ready for ATIA let me share my favorite tools going into the conference and any insights on updates that may be announced there.
Reader Pens have become an essential part of supporting our individuals who struggle with reading due to processing issues or other conditions like dyslexia. It seems that each year, a new pen appears at ATIA that seems to address the cost factor while doing everything we need. Unfortunately, those companies tend to be short-lived as their products, which seem to be too good to be true, in essence, are not what they are cracked up to be. Whether is be the installed hardware or the design and material of the pen, those pens do not work well, break down easily, and end up costing more in the long run. Those pens also give a bad name to reader pens in general and have IT Directors saying that a student simply needs and iPad/Tablet and text-to-speech software.
As you know, there are two manufacturers that I firmly believe in and recommend. They are C-Pen and Scanmarker. The research that has gone into the design and implementation of these pens is solid. Students have found consistent success with these pens. Both companies make adjustments necessary to enhance the capabilities of the pens in order to continue to address the evolving needs of students. For those who argue with the reasoning of using an iPad/Tablet to capture a picture and then use text-to-speech software miss the fact that some of our individuals would find that approach confusing, cumbersome, and, sometimes, impossible. Reader pens, when used properly, allow for independent reading and a feeling of competence.
C-Pen introduced us to the Reader 3 pen last year. This touchscreen pen offers a great upgrade from the Reader 2 pen. For those who began by using a Reader 2, the transition was easy to the Reader 3. The fact that it offered touchscreen access to its controls promoted more confidence in the users. I still recommend the Reader 2 as well due to its design and the fact that it does not connect to the internet, adding a layer of security for students and districts alike. I like the features of both which support students in accessing physical text in so many different ways.
Scanmarker is introducing a new version of its pen this year with the Scanmarker Max. I have had the opportunity to try this pen and like that it has all of the features of the Scanmarker Pro, along with some new features, including a Phonics area which breaks words down into their phonemic sounds. This feature aligns itself with the Science of Reading, permitting students with dyslexia or other reading conditions to understand words from a phonics base.
I am also excited to see the developments within Cosmo by Filisia. This group is releasing their new Cosmo Learning System which takes the place of the older Explore and Excel versions. The new version comes with 8 Cosmo Dots allowing many more uses, including being able to play a full octave of notes. They also have their app suites which now include some STEM activities. When purchasing the Cosmo Learning System, users will have full and lifetime access to all of their apps.
I will share other ideas that I learn from ATIA in our next blog. I always prefer to see and interact with any new devices or software, come to an understanding of the research that has been done in the field, and hear of potential applications before I begin recommending it to others. I also enjoy meeting with so many of the presenters at ATIA to hear their stories as well as see the positive effects that they are having with their students and individuals with whom they work.
Attending conferences like ATIA and interacting with presenters throughout the year is what gives me the continued hope that there will continue to be successful approaches to making learning and life more accessible and inclusive. I understand the uncertainty that is out there. However, by working together, we can create a better world for our students and ourselves.