Didactic device for providing a learning experience and/or entertainment by serving as a learning aid to improve penmanship and drawing skills. The didactic device combines an optical image processing system with a speech synthesis system, wherein a drawing surface (10) is provided in registration with the field of view of an optical imager (11). The drawing surface may take the form of a readily erasable paper or a 'magic slate' on which the user is to execute writing or drawing instructions as determined by the selected actuation of push-buttons or switches on a keyboard (21) of the didactic device. Upon appropriate actuation of a selected switch on the keyboard, the learning aid prompts the user either visually via a display (23) mounted on the housing of the didactic device in proximity to the drawing surface or verbally via speech synthesis electronics (14,15,16,17,18) to write or draw something on the drawing surface. When the user has completed the assignment by drawing indicia on the drawing surface, the user then actuates another switch on the keyboard to operate the image processing system which includes an imager chip, a matrix memory (12) in which signal data output from the imager chip is stored, and a data processor having an object recognition comparator. The data processor takes the form of a microprocessor (13) and includes a storage memory in which firmware in the form of data signatures of a plurality of object configurations is retained. The imager upon actuation views the indicia as drawn by the user on the drawing surface and provides a signal data output indicative of the appearance of the indicia. The drawn indicia is then compared via the recognition comparator of the microprocessor with the particular object configuration in the storage memory of the microprocessor corresponding to the drawing instruction given to the user. The signal data output of the imager is analyzed with the particular data signature as provided by the memory of the microprocessor. Based upon the foregoing analysis, the speech synthesis system then gives a verbal response critiquing the writing or drawing of the user on the drawing surface and may be accompanied by a visual showing of the correct drawing on the display. 
DIDACTIC DEVICE TO IMPROVE PENMANSHIP AND DRAWING SKILLS