Effective Classroom Uses of the Tablet PC Even Moses Had His Tablet
In 2006, I approached my administration with a proposal which would replace my office desktop computer with a tablet PC. I was inexperienced with tablets, but I had researched the power and features of what was affordable at that time and became convinced that I could utilize one as a desktop replacement. I quickly decided that I waited way too long to suggest this option.
In my first year, I have implemented the following changes/improvements:
· The tablet has become my “Sympodium/Smartboard to-go”
· I taught an entire semester of College Algebra without touching a piece of chalk nor a dry-erase marker
· I teach Statistics utilizing the power of “live computations”
· I post all “class notes” recorded on-screen at the end of each class period
· I grade many documents utilizing pen annotations/audio comments
· I now produce Camtasia video tutorials with full motion “writing/drawing”
· I can utilize my tablet to obtain wireless connectivity during faculty meetings using our recently implemented campus-wide wireless “cloud” (I am vice-chair… in charge of minutes)
· I even grade papers and draft conference presentations at IHOP using their wireless service.
(oops… gave myself away!)
This presentation will demonstrate the power of the tablet PC as a teaching/learning tool and discuss the advantages and the limitations of relying strictly upon a notebook/tablet PC as your electronic umbilical cord. We will demonstrate a “chalkless” Algebra session and demonstrate how easy it is to post the results on your Blackboard course site.. We will even produce a Statistics video tutorial during the paper session so you can see just how painless that has become to produce and to publish on Blackboard. Many believe that what was written on Moses’ tablet can save your soul; others also believe what is written on your tablet PC can save your students!
