Hold the pen upright at 75 to 90 degrees, like a highlighter. Start about 1 cm before the first word and glide it steadily along the line to the end. Most scanning errors come from going too fast, tilting the pen or having the wrong hand setting. Here is the full technique, with fixes for the problems students and clients run into most.
Before you scan
- Set the hand. Pens start in right-handed mode. Change it in settings if the user scans with their left hand.
- Check the language and voice. Set the reading language to match the text, and the voice to Australian English.
- Flatten the page. Place the book or sheet on a flat surface and keep the line straight.
The technique
- Grip. Hold the pen on either side of the screen, so your fingers don't cover it.
- Angle. Hold the pen upright, between 75 and 90 degrees to the page.
- Start point. Rest the tip about 1 cm to the left of the first word. A light at the base comes on when the pen touches the paper.
- Glide. Press gently and move steadily along the line to the end. Give the pen time to capture each whole word.
- Lift. Lift the pen at the end of the line. The light turns off and the pen reads the text aloud.
Scanning direction
| Model | Directions |
|---|---|
| C-Pen Reader 2 | Left to right or right to left, in either hand mode |
| C-Pen Exam Reader 2 | Left to right or right to left, in either hand mode |
| C-Pen Reader 3 | Left to right only, in either hand mode |
What the pen reads best
- Printed text from 7 to 22 point
- Plain fonts on white or light paper
- One line at a time, or a few lines. It does not scan whole pages.
It struggles with handwriting, decorative fonts, coloured paper and maths symbols, and it cannot read screens.
Quick fixes
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| Words missing or garbled | Slow down, and start a little before the first word |
| Nothing is recognised | Check the hand setting and reading language |
| Only part of the line is read | Keep the pen upright and in contact with the page to the end of the line |
| Errors on certain pages | Check the font size and style; coloured paper and decorative fonts cause errors |
| The pen doesn't respond | Charge it, then try a reset (see reset) |
| Wrong accent | Set the voice to Australian English |
Handy shortcuts
- Zoom in on a word: on the Reader 2 and Reader 3, long-press when a word is marked.
- Delete scanned text: on the Reader 3, long-press the left button in the Reader app.
Teaching tip
Start with a short, clear text at a normal size and let the user practise a few lines before real tasks. Most people are scanning reliably within one session (see classroom guide).
Frequently asked questions
How do you use a reading pen?
Hold the C-Pen upright at 75 to 90 degrees, start just before the first word and glide it steadily along the line. Lift it at the end and it reads the text aloud.
Why is my C-Pen reading words wrong?
The usual causes are scanning too fast, tilting the pen or the wrong hand or language setting. Decorative fonts and coloured paper can also cause errors.
Can I scan a whole page with a C-Pen?
No. C-Pens scan one line, or a few lines, at a time.
Can left-handed people use a C-Pen?
Yes. Switch the pen to left-handed mode in settings.
What size text can a C-Pen read?
Printed text from 7 to 22 point.
More C-Pen guides for schools and therapistsSetup help, exam provisions, funding and model comparisons in one place.
