Tablets

We are currently piloting the use of three different types of ‘Tablet’ within the Schools:

1. Graphics Tablets (such as the Wacom Bamboo)
2. Tablet PCs (such as our Dell Latitude XT2)
3. Tablet Mobile Devices (such as iPad)

Uses

We are piloting the use of tablets for the creation of handwritten electronic resources and for writing on electronic copies of student submissions. We have selected these particular uses because the disciplines we work with are particularly suited to writing by hand rather than typing; mathematical equations and annotating diagrams/designs being significant examples. The use of these tools enables familiar and effective techniques to be easily translated from paper-based resources to online documents, and so provides the efficiency gains of online submissions and material delivery while retaining the good practices of the past.

These tools are also being used with screen capture tools to provide asynchronous versions ‘walkthrough’ seminars where worked examples are written down and the individual stages explained. These videos can be used both as feedback to show the correct way of solving a particular equation or as supplemental material for students to watch when they need deem it necessary.