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Abstract
The use of tablet PCs in teaching is a relatively new phenomenon. A cross between a notebook computer and a personal digital assistant (PDA), the tablet PC has all of the features of a notebook with the additional capability that the screen can also be used for input. Tablet PCs are usually equipped with a stylus that allows the user to write on the screen. Handwriting recognition software converts this input into text for use with software such as internet browsers and email programs. As an educational tool, two of the most important features of the tablet PC are annotation and wireless communication. The annotation feature allows the user to write on almost any document much as one would annotate a printout of the same document. The wireless communication feature allows tablet PCs to share information with one another. The advantages of these features and their impact on the Murray State University (MSU) classroom will be discussed in the evaluation section.
Acknowledgements
Initial support of the Tablet PC initiative at MSU was provided by a Hewlett-Packard Technology for Teaching grant (#15873). Additional support was provided by a Microsoft Tablet PC Technology, Curriculum, and Higher Education Grant (Track II, #14898). The interdisciplinary work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DMS-0531865, ‘UBM, RUI: Biology and Mathematics in Population Studies (BioMaPS)’. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation, Hewlett-Packard or Microsoft.