|
A unique sensorized pen for early detection of writing issues. A study from the Polytechnic University of Milan and the University of Insubria in Varese and Como has been released. It included around 700 students from all primary and secondary schools. They used the THInkPen (Tele-Health Ink Pen) to complete two BVSCO-3 tests: the Battery for the Clinical Evaluation of Writing and Spelling Skills. This is the most used test in Italy for determining writing difficulties, dysgraphia, and dysorthographia. Its unique feature is that the sensorized ink pen enriches clinical test data, as required by the most recent approved guidelines for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), but it is used to write on paper, just like a regular pen, which is a significant difference from other screening tools such as tablets. Its use in testing revealed key characteristics of children's writing processes and supplied a large and detailed amount of information. From the massive amount of data collected, digital signs linked to writing variations were recovered, including pressure on the paper, fluidity of movement, pen inclination, and the frequency of impulses reaching the device via sensors. The obtained data was then evaluated using specifically built artificial intelligence algorithms to assess its correlation with clinical ratings, model its trends over different school groups, and determine its effectiveness in detecting writing difficulties. Significant and persistent connections were found between digital indicators and clinical scores, indicating their potential to accurately reflect performance characteristics.
|