Tablet computers and the traditional lecture

A nationwide call has requested educators to emphasize methods that will encourage student participation and engagement during class. Concurrently, technology and ubiquitous computing have been making advancements onto campuses of higher education. This paper will discuss research that is merging these two events and creating a platform using Tablet PCs that can be used in the traditional classroom setting. The platform enables the use of "digital ink" within slideshow-based note taking, collaborative activities, and formative and summative assessment activities. In addition, course specific software will be made available on the Tablet PCs and used to enhance the learning in individual courses instead of relegating these activities to out-of-classroom experiences. The paper discusses the differences and similarities between Tablet PCs and laptop computers, in general, and also presents information about low cost options to allow the use of "digital ink" in traditional computer labs. The paper also presents results the author has collected while making use of Tablet PCs to (1) present course material during the lecture period; (2) administer summative assessment during the lecture period; (3) grade assessments with "digital ink;" and (4) provide timely feedback of student projects. Lastly the paper presents some of the author's long term research plans of making use of Tablet PCs, "digital ink," and other currently available technology in the traditional lecture to (1) provide more communication between instructors and students; (2) elicit more frequent and higher quality feedback on student progress; (3) introduce more frequent and varied classroom teaching styles and activities and (4) expose students, in a variety of disciplines, to the technology that is currently available.