07 Feb 08 My Tablet Experiences

My 4.10 Homework Notes

For the sake of disclosure let it be noted that I love technology.

That being said, My experience using the tablet in Calculus was a mixed bag. The ability to dynamically modify and save work and telecommunicate my thoughts and ideas effectively was fantastic. However, there were some major issues that I found while using the tablet.

• You can’t comfortably use it on the desk. The writing angle just doesn’t work.
• The only comfortable place to put it is on your lap. (see next point)
• It gets ridiculously hot (see next point)
• I think this speaks for itself.
• The weird shape battery makes resting it anywhere a pain because the angle of the tablet has to be adjusted.
• The rope attaching the pen to the tablet was so troublesome I had to disconnect it.
• Running the tablet in portrait instead of landscape while taking notes, I found that you run out of screen space reallly quickly. OneNote Doesn’t create enough page bottom space fast enough for my tastes.
• Once I switched to Landscape I found that i was constantly knocking into the buttons encircling the perimeter of the screen. Highly annoying.
• I can see the tablet being an issue for persons who re not completely comfortable with wacom technology or the onenote interface.

I think, and I’m sure Mr. Seamon does as well, that the tablets have real potential. A few minor bugs are always to be expected.

A list of my suggestions for their use:

• Either new chairs or new desks. The angles simply do not work currently.
• A different battery size for the tablet.
• The ability to dynamically interact with the teacher’s presentation.
• Figure out a way to make one note provide more real estate in portrait.

My class notes are at the end of this post for all those interested in seeing my take on the test prep and 4.10 homework.

Tags: classroom, stjcalc, tablet, wacom