Why is the ClassMates program using tablet PCs?

In considering how best to leverage technology to enhance student learning at A-C Central C.U.S.D. #262, our faculty carefully reviewed the available options. In the end, they selected for the ClassMates program a convertible tablet PC, a notebook computer which combines the productivity of a keyboard for typing written assignments with the intuitiveness of pen, ideally suited for writing equations and drawing graphs in math and science, drawing in fine art, or just jotting quick mind-maps and notes. This unique combination of pen and keyboard input is not available on standard notebook PCs nor on the slate form-factor Apple iPad or Android-based tablets.

Tablet PC Advantages

• Subject Area Applications:
• Mathematics: Writing mathematical equations and drawing graphs.
• Science: Writing chemical equations and drawing graphs of data and diagrams.
• English: Diagramming sentences, highlighting electronic texts, and editing Word documents with ink annotations.
• Fine Art: Digital drawing and painting with pressure-sensitive stylus.
• Social Studies: Labeling and coloring maps.
• Unified Learning Platform: By adding pen input to a notebook computer, the tablet PC provides a single, portable platform for accessing electronic textbooks, browsing Internet resources, using educational applications, taking notes, writing reports, creating multimedia presentations, and communicating and collaborating with teachers and other students. No other device provides this range of learning applications nor the potential to have every document, note, communication, multimedia resource a student needs instantly available, organized, and searchable. This all-in-one access promises tremendous organizational and learning efficiency benefits and opens the door to a portfolio assessment process.
• Multiple Learning Style Support: Drawing and handwriting notes engages visual and kinesthetic learners. The tablet software makes it easy to use multiple pen and highlighter colors to emphasize important points and easily categorize information.
• Note-taking Efficiency: With a tablet, students can manipulate hand-written notes and drawings on the computer with the same kinds of electronic advantages that makes word-processing software superior to typewriters, including ease of editing and revision through drag & drop, copy & paste, and undo/redo, as well as ease of sharing and collaboration by e-mail or the Web.
• Unobtrusive Form Factor: The upright screen on standard notebook PCs can place a visual barrier between students and the teacher whereas when used as a tablet, the tablet PC is no more obtrusive than a paper notebook. In addition, taking notes with the stylus is quieter than typing.

Tablet PC Features

• Note-taking: The ClassMates tablet is bundled with special ink-aware applications useful for note-taking, including PostIt (like a the paper ones) and NoteTaker (like a 3-ring binder). These applications allow students to take notes with the keyboard or pen and organize them for each class.
• Handwriting-to-Text: Most ink-aware applications convert handwritten notes to editable text. The Tablet PC input panel recognizes handwriting in any program, allowing use of the pen as a co-equal input device with the keyboard.
• Ink Annotations: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel support digital ink natively. In addition, any document may be sent through the virtual printer feature and then annotated in Foxit Reader, allowing digital ink highlighting and annotations on e-book texts, Web pages, PDFs, pictures, and more.