For our first article, I thought it might be worth taking a few minutes to showcase some of the ways a Tablet PC can be used in the classroom.\u00a0 This showcase is by no means exhaustive and will hopefully remain a living, growing exhibition.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Presentations & Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n The Tablet PC can be used in place of a Smartboard<\/a> when combined with a digital projector, and is, in many ways, superior to a Smartboard. For starters, it is typically easier to write neatly on a tablet PC compared to a Smartboard, whiteboard, or chalkboard. And with the right software, you also pick up a wider array of communication tools, ranging from pen types, sizes, and colors to geometric objects, tables, pictures, and even hyperlinks.<\/p>\n Most importantly, when the presentation is complete, I can easily copy and paste my notes directly into blogging software and publish it to the web. Thirty seconds after the end of class, students have access to the entire day\u2019s notes on our course website\u2026 an invaluable aid for students who aren\u2019t able to attend class, as well as for students with special needs who require a copy of course notes.<\/p>\n Check out more details in the articles “Presenting and Blogging with a Tablet PC<\/a>” and “Presenting with a Tablet PC: The iPad<\/a>”<\/p>\n Problem Solving<\/strong><\/p>\n Often times I find it useful to solve problems with my students<\/a> in a step-by-step fashion. This is useful as part of a lecture presentation, for homework review<\/a>, and for review of formal assessments to assist students in working through a logical problem solving methodology. Using a Tablet PC in combination with PDF software such as Bluebeam PDF Revu, I can scan the homework or assessment sheet into a PDF file, project it, and mark it up in real time as we solve problems together.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also quite easy to set up problems in advance, copy and paste a picture or two from the web to spice up the problem, and have students work in groups (typically with whiteboards) to solve the problem.\u00a0 As I wander around the room examining student work, I can hand the Tablet PC to students who have developed unique or model solutions. They share their solutions using the Tablet PC as they talk through their thinking, and the \u201ccoolness\u201d factor serves as a reward for both the presenters as well as the class, leading to the educational nirvana of students teaching students. Interesting problems can again be cut and pasted into blogging software for sharing with all students with just a few seconds of extra effort.<\/p>\n Video Guides<\/strong><\/p>\n Of course, online notes don\u2019t take the place of a live instructor modeling problem-solving in real time. For cases where this just isn\u2019t practical for all students all the time, you can capture audio and video of the instructor solving the problem<\/a>. Screen capture software is readily available for Tablet PCs, ranging in cost from free to several hundred dollars, depending on the required functionality. Throw in a low-cost microphone, built-in on many systems, and you have everything you need to create your video. You can even pull your example from a video elsewhere on the web and combine it with your scientific analysis to create an informative and entertaining mini-video<\/a> that will get your students talking about where they see physics each and every day outside the classroom! Sharing with your students is just as easy \u2013 post on YouTube<\/a> or TeacherTube<\/a>, embed the file in your blog along with your class notes, and you\u2019re well on your way to creating an amazing online resource for your students!<\/p>\n Over the next several articles in this series we\u2019ll delve into each of these applications in more detail, sharing best known methods and techniques for utilizing Tablet PCs in education, ranging from software and hardware reviews and recommendations to how-to guides for specific applications. So pull up a chair, make yourself at home, and share your tips, tricks, and expertise with our growing community!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Over the past few months I\u2019ve answered a number of questions from various sources (most commonly, the AP Physics Listserver) surrounding the use of tablet PCs in the classroom. Given their burgeoning popularity, this series of posts is an attempt Continue reading Tablet PCs in the Classroom<\/span>![\"Fujitsu-LifeBook-P1610-Tablet-PC\"](\"http:\/\/aplusphysics.com\/flux\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/FujitsuLifeBookP1610TabletPC_thumb.jpg\" "\\"Fujitsu-LifeBook-P1610-Tablet-PC\\"")
<\/a> I\u2019ve used tablet PCs in my teaching for roughly five years now, and though by no means an expert, I have had the opportunity to find plenty of things that do and don\u2019t work. This series of articles is an attempt to share what I\u2019ve learned and answer many of the questions that keep recurring on the listserver.\u00a0 Much of what I\u2019ve learned has been through the support and advice of the online community, and likewise, I\u2019m hoping that others with experience and expertise in this arena will share their thoughts and best known methods. Tablet users, I welcome your feedback, comments, additions, and modifications.<\/p>\n![\"zzzWorkPower\"](\"http:\/\/aplusphysics.com\/flux\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/zzzWorkPower_thumb.jpg\" "\\"zzzWorkPower\\"")
<\/a> I use Bluebeam PDF Revu<\/a> to document my presentations to the class<\/a> by projecting a \u201cclone\u201d of my tablet screen for the class to see. Not only can I write neatly for my students, but I can also have my course outline right beside me as I lecture, assisting in maintaining organization and insuring I hit all the key points for each topic.\u00a0 If my presentation includes a web resource such as a PHET<\/a> simulation, I can link to it directly from my notes screen, avoiding awkward fumbling and keying in of website URL\u2019s in the middle of a lecture.<\/p>\n