handwritten text and diagrams in addition to typed text.
For example, in teaching AP Computer Science, I can copy the text of a prog=
ram into OneNote, where we take notes every day, then annotate it with "ink=
" to indicate different code techniques, or errors types, or to hand trace =
variables to solve a problem. On a chalkboard or white board, there is not=
enough room to do this and when class is over the material is gone. By st=
oring it electronically, I can send a student notes when she is absent or p=
ull up yesterday's notes at the beginning of class to do a quick review. Yo=
u could do some similar things with a SMART board, but with the tablet, you=
can use the same tools whether you are in the classroom or not. It has ma=
de it much easier for me to help a student remotely, such as when a student=
has an extended illness or cannot come for help at the time she needs it.
If you've ever tried to type geometry or create a diagram of a cell on a st=
andard laptop, you can easily understand how helpful at tablet can be to st=
udents and teachers in these fields.
In our end of year survey for faculty last year, 75% of our teachers stated=
that they now feel that the tablet is an essential teaching tool and 85% b=
elieve that tablets have added value to their classrooms.
We have had no more technical difficulties with our tablets than we did wit=
h laptops or desktops.
If you haven't had an opportunity, I would suggest that you visit a school =
that has been using them for a year or more. It takes time for people to i=
ntegrate them in the way that is most effective for them, but once they do,=
they usually say they wouldn't want to go back to a non-tablet environment=
.
Jessica Sepke
Director of Technology and Information Systems
Saint Mary's School
Raleigh, North Carolina
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators [mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.=
EDU] On Behalf Of Greg Kearney
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 11:47 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Tablet PC schools comparing notes
Can I ask a question here? What is the perceived educational advantage
of tablet computers over regular laptop computers? I have worked in
the technology field for a long time and have seen in daily working
use a grand total of 3 tablet computers and in all of those cases they
were eventually replaced with laptops upon failure of the device.
Forgive me for saying it but this tablet computers in schools sounds
more like a way to market the school than a sound technological
decision. But perhaps I'm not seeing some aspect to it that others are.
Greg
On Oct 18, 2007, at 9:34 AM, Richter, Lavina A. wrote:
> We have about 25 tablets deployed to teachers. I'm very interested in
> your research. Thanks, Vi
>
> ____________________________________
> Vi Richter
> Academic Technology Coordinator
> Information Technology Services
> Phillips Exeter Academy
> 20 Main Street
> Exeter, NH 03833
> 603-777-3788
> vrichter@exeter.edu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A forum for independent school educators
> [mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Demetri Orlando
> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 10:09 AM
> To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Subject: Tablet PC schools comparing notes
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> As we begin to look at our next purchasing cycle for Tablet PCs, I'd
> love to compare notes. If you are using tablet PCs at your school,
> would
> you please respond? I'd like to have an informal user group, ask you a
> few questions off-list, and add to the list of Tablet-using schools:
> http://schoolcomputing.wikia.com/wiki/Tablet_Computers
>
> Thanks very much,
>
> Demetri Orlando
> Battle Ground Academy
> Franklin, TN
> demetrio@battlegroundacademy.org
> skype: popdmo
>
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Submissions to ISED-L are released under a Creative Commons license.
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