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Tablet PCs in Higher Education: A Roundtable/Panel Discussion

Time: 2:25 - 3:10
Location: Room 105
Presenters: John Wise, Associate Director, Regional Educational Lab Mid-Atlantic
Roxanne Toto, e-Learning Support Specialist
College of Engineering Faculty

Tablet PCs (TPCs) are the next step in the evolution of the personal computer. Equipped with a stylus for data entry, TPCs can be used for note-taking, graphing, sketching, interactive presentations, and marking up documents, in addition to all of the functions of a “normal” notebook computer.

In education, two areas of obvious interest are student use of TPCs and faculty use of TPCs. In the College of Engineering, we are investigating both, with an emphasis on faculty use, believing that adoption of the technology by faculty is more likely to drive acceptance by students than vice-versa. Faculty report a flat learning curve when using the TPC for classroom presentations. In equation-heavy engineering courses, faculty are able to face the students more than when they use the chalkboard, increasing interaction. In graphic-intensive courses, the instructor is able to draw diagrams or sketches in real time, then save and distribute the digital file to students. Student work that is submitted electronically can be marked up using the stylus and returned to the student, with the instructor retaining an identical file for his or her records.

This list is just the beginning. As creative faculty pick up this tool, they will uncover novel approaches that will improve efficiency and effectiveness. The open format and inclusion of several faculty in this session will disseminate interest and best practices among interested faculty while encouraging like-minded faculty to build relationships.

Comments

April 14, 2007 - 8:24pm — b2p

TabletPCs improve student engagement

I can see how using a tabletPC to work interactively with a large class would be more engaging -- images are clearer and colorful, notes can be captured, allows the instructor to point out specifics on an image or annotate a document without printing it out on reams of paper -- all uses that were mentioned in today’s presentation.

But the one thing that I never would have thought about was that it provides the instructor with a way to “write on the board” while still facing the students. What a simple but effective way for the instructor to engage the students. He can see the students. He can answer questions while he is writing or can change what he writes in response to the students. Sometimes the simple things are the best.

And the other thing that struck me was how writing on the tablet forces the instructor to pace himself. If a tabletPC can help slow down a lecturer to allow the students to keep up, I can understand how students would like instructors to use them.

I agree that a good next step would be to give students access to tabletPCs to encourage more active participation in class. Cost is an issue, but the idea of the potential engagement is so very appealing.

And I am encouraged that John Wise and the faculty that have participated to date are interested in expanding the tabletPC discussion beyond the College of Engineering. So much can be gained by sharing experiences. Interested parties can send their name to Roxanne Toto (rty1@psu.edu) and I hope that she gets many takers.