ISR now has available a pool of 16 Tablet PCs for course-related use. These computers are all loaded on a cart, and they can be wheeled anywhere on campus.
What is a tablet PC?
A tablet PC is essentially a notebook computer with a touchscreen. You can use it just like a conventional computer, or you can operate it with a stylus or digital pen. The touchscreen functionality makes it easy to write notes, draw sketches, or annotate documents, for example.
Why would I want to use the tablet pool?
Any place on campus can now be an electronic classroom. If you need your students to have access to a computer but can't book a computer lab for a particular session of a class, the tablet pool might be just what you need. If your students need to collect data on campus or on a field trip, the tablet PC can be a device for collecting data anywhere.
The tablet PC also offers some interesting opportunities for sharing and collaboration. Perhaps your students need to work together on a document. A shared document via OneNote may be the solution. Or maybe they need to annotate your Powerpoint slides. The tablet and stylus make it easy to write on this type of document, and you can save your annotations as well.
If you would like additional information on tablet PCs in education, try these links:
Tablet Search at EDUCAUSE.
Wikipedia
The tablet PCs are available as a complete pool, and not individually. (ISR Equipment Services has other options for individual needs.) For additional information on the tablet pool, contact itec@bucknell.edu.
