The document discusses the benefits and uses of Livescribe smartpens in educational settings. Smartpens allow teachers to record lectures and students to record notes, playback audio, and share notes. Research shows smartpens improve student performance and note reviewing. Teachers report smartpens improve instruction, assessment, and support special needs students. However, smartpens have not reached critical mass adoption yet in schools. Peer-to-peer diffusion through early adopter teachers could help more educators adopt the technology.