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Q: The real advantages and disadvantages of TabletPC computer use in education ( Answered,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: The real advantages and disadvantages of TabletPC computer use in education
Category: Computers > Hardware
Asked by: susanam-ga
List Price: $45.00
Posted: 27 Sep 2004 13:52 PDT
Expires: 27 Oct 2004 13:52 PDT
Question ID: 407068
I see there are a lot of pilot program using TabletPCs in teaching and
learning in both K-12 and higher education. I would like to find out
the real advantages and disadvantages of TabletPC computer use in
education -- not the vendor promo stuff but the real deal. I expect
this will come from reports and case studies by the teachers and
institutions (though I could certainly be wrong). I would like to feel
comfortable after viewing the resources either recommending or
rejecting a proposal to commit to TabletPCs (over labs, desktoptops,
laptops, or PDAs) as the computing device for students and teachers.
Answer  
Subject: Re: The real advantages and disadvantages of TabletPC computer use in education
Answered By: librariankt-ga on 25 Oct 2004 13:30 PDT
 
Hi Susanam,

From the comment below, I understand that you are looking for actual
case studies and reports on the use of tablets in educational
situations.  I have searched several databases of education
journals/literature and have some citations for you.  Please keep in
mind that I cannot give you the complete articles because of copyright
restrictions - but hopefully the citations/abstracts will let you know
which ones you need to get from your local library (an academic
library is probably your best bet).

One thing I've noticed is that, since tablets are so new, there aren't
all that many completed studies of their use.  You've probably seen
all of the news reports about the introduction of tablets (also PDAs,
laptops, iPods, etc) - these just haven't been completed and evaluated
yet.  However, I have found some reports from peer reviewed journals
that may be of use.  Please let me know if I can find more articles
for you that take a slightly different tack, etc.  It's particularly
helpful if you clarify before rating.  :)  For instance, there have
been a lot of articles in the Chronicle of Higher Education that deal
with tablets in learning situations - these are something between case
studies/trials reports and news articles.  If those would be of
interest please let me know so I can gather them for you.

Here are results from Education Full Text (a Wilson database - note
that the URLs only work if you've got a subscription to the database):

-------------------------------------------------
 
Title:                	Presentation Technology: Digital Ink and Notetaking 
Personal Author:      	Colwell, Kenneth E. 
Peer Reviewed Journal:	Y 
Journal Name:         	TechTrends 
Source:               	TechTrends v. 48 no. 3 (May/June 2004) p. 35-9 
Publication Year:     	2004 
Physical Description: 	Bibliography; Illustration 
ISSN:                 	8756-3894 
Language of Document: 	English 
Subject(s):           	Electronic ink; Tablet computers;
Computers/Educational use; Note-taking/Computer aids
Document Type:        	Feature 
Update Code:          	20040719 
Database:             	Education 
Accession Number:     	200412500422009 
Article Link:         	HTML:
http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdfhtml/00422/MRRT6/OS1.htm
	PDF: http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdffull/00422/MRRT6/OS1.pdf

-------------------------------------------------
 
Title:                	On-Demand Lectures Create an Effective
Distributed Education Experience
Personal Author:      	Lindsey, Stanley D. 
Peer Reviewed Journal:	Y 
Journal Name:         	T.H.E. Journal 
Source:               	T.H.E. Journal v. 31 no. 4 (November 2003) p. 16, 18, 20 
Publication Year:     	2003 
Physical Description: 	Illustration 
ISSN:                 	0192-592X 
Language of Document: 	English 
Subject(s):           	Lecture method; Tablet computers;
Internet/Distance education use/Colleges and universities
Document Type:        	Feature 
Update Code:          	20040107 
Database:             	Education 
Accession Number:     	200330500462002 
Article Link:         	HTML:
http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdfhtml/00462/Z6UEY/TSG.htm
	PDF: http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdffull/00462/Z6UEY/TSG.pdf 
Abstract:             	A method for providing an effective distributed
education experience for college students using on-demand lectures is
described.  The method involves using a tablet portable computer and
the Tegrity WebLearner solution for on-demand and live electronic
learning.  It also involves integrating on-demand lectures in a course
management system.
Web Sites:            	The author of this article has chosen the
following Web sites:
	http://www.tegrity.com 
	http://www.tabletpctoshiba.com

-------------------------------------------------
 
Title:                	Catalyst for Change 
Personal Author:      	Barton, Casey; Collura, Kenneth 
Peer Reviewed Journal:	Y 
Journal Name:         	T.H.E. Journal 
Source:               	T.H.E. Journal v. 31 no. 4 (November 2003) p. 39-41 
Publication Year:     	2003 
Physical Description: 	Illustration 
ISSN:                 	0192-592X 
Language of Document: 	English 
Subject(s):           	Tablet computers; Computers/Educational
use/Catholic schools and colleges
Document Type:        	Feature 
Update Code:          	20040107 
Database:             	Education 
Accession Number:     	200330500462006 
Article Link:         	HTML:
http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdfhtml/00462/Z6UEY/HSN.htm
	PDF: http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdffull/00462/Z6UEY/HSN.pdf 
Abstract:             	Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus, Ohio,
has uniquely loaned tablet personal computers to an entire class.  The
use of this technology both in and beyond the classroom has provided
students with note-taking options, equal opportunities, and a study
partner.
Web Sites:            	The author of this article has chosen the
following Web sites:
	http://www.cdeducation.org 
	http://www.hp.com/products/tabletpc 
	http://www.tabletpatalk.com

-------------------------------------------------
 
Title:                	Integrating alternative input devices and
hypermedia for use by exceptional individuals
Personal Author:      	Perkins, Robert E. 
Peer Reviewed Journal:	Y 
Journal Name:         	Computers in the Schools 
Source:               	Computers in the Schools v. 10 no. 3-4 (1994) p. 339-51 
Publication Year:     	1994 
Physical Description: 	Bibliography 
ISSN:                 	0738-0569 
Language of Document: 	English 
Subject(s):           	Hypermedia; Authoring systems; Computers and
the handicapped; Exceptional children/Education/Computer aids
Document Type:        	Feature 
Update Code:          	19960716 
Database:             	Education 
Accession Number:     	199400403747006 
Article Link:        
	http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com/hww/jumpstart.jhtml?sid=HWW:EDU&pid=%3Can%3E199400403747006%3C/an%3E
Abstract:             	Teachers can use hypermedia to create the
computer-aided instruction necessary to teach specific objectives to
exceptional students. Hypermedia programs can be operated by students
with cognitive disabilities, those who are unable to read, those with
communication disorders, those with physical disabilities, and others.
 Teachers and parents do not need much programming background to
provide appropriate materials, which are lacking for exceptional
students.  Standard input devices that can be used include the mouse,
keyboard, TouchWindow, graphics tablets, and joysticks.  The
integration of hypermedia and alternative input devices allows many
different technologies, such as video and speech, to be incorporated
into programs.

-----------------------

These two articles were found in ERIC:

Title: Taming the Wireless Frontier: PDAs, Tablets, and Laptops at
Home on the Range.
Author(s): Williams, Joe 
Source: Computers in Libraries v23 n3 p10-12,62-64 Mar 2003 
Publication Year: 2003 
ISSN: 10417915 
Identifiers: *Texas A and M University; *Wireless Technology; Data
Security; Laptop Computers; Personal Digital Assistants
Number of Pages: 6 
Publication Type: Journal Article (080)
Reports - Descriptive (141) 
Journal Code: CIJDEC2003 
Entry Month: 200312 
ERIC Number: EJ671735 
Database:  ERIC 
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Record: 2 
Title: Learning Unplugged: Using Mobile Technologies for
Organizational Training and Performance Improvement.
Author(s): Gayeski, Diane 
Publication Year: 2002 
ISBN: 0814471455 
Identifiers: Digital Audiotape; Global Positioning System; Personal
Digital Assistants
Country of Publication: U.S.; New York 
Number of Pages: 192 
Publication Type: Books (010)
Guides - Non-Classroom Use (055) 
Journal Code: RIESEP2003 
Entry Month: 200309 
ERIC Number: ED473267 
Database:  ERIC 
 
--------------------------

I also searched the ISI Citation Indexes and Sociological Abstracts,
but found nothing of use.  I searched these databases using the
following keywords in various combinations: "tablet* pc* computer*
handheld* teach* class*".  Again, please let me know how I can clarify
or expand this answer if desired!

Librariankt

Clarification of Answer by librariankt-ga on 25 Oct 2004 13:33 PDT
Sorry, I just noticed that the abstracts for the two articles from
ERIC got dropped.  Here are the complete records:

Title: Taming the Wireless Frontier: PDAs, Tablets, and Laptops at
Home on the Range.
Author(s): Williams, Joe 
Source: Computers in Libraries v23 n3 p10-12,62-64 Mar 2003 
Publication Year: 2003 
ISSN: 10417915 
Identifiers: *Texas A and M University; *Wireless Technology; Data
Security; Laptop Computers; Personal Digital Assistants
Abstract: Explains how Texas A&M University libraries developed a
wireless network, including problems encountered, and describes three
wireless services currently being delivered using Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs), tablet PCs, and wireless laptop computers. Topics
include costs versus value; data security and access; wireless access
points; standards; local area networks; and circulating equipment.
(LRW)
Number of Pages: 6 
Publication Type: Journal Article (080)
Reports - Descriptive (141) 
Journal Code: CIJDEC2003 
Entry Month: 200312 
ERIC Number: EJ671735 
Database:  ERIC 
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Record: 2 
Title: Learning Unplugged: Using Mobile Technologies for
Organizational Training and Performance Improvement.
Author(s): Gayeski, Diane 
Publication Year: 2002 
ISBN: 0814471455 
Identifiers: Digital Audiotape; Global Positioning System; Personal
Digital Assistants
Abstract: This book, which is written by a training consultant, is
intended to help organizations determine whether specific readily
available mobile technologies make sense for their particular learning
and performance needs. Chapter 1 discusses the mobile revolution in
learning and performance, with special attention to the new work and
learning environment and persistent computing versus synchronizing
data. Chapters 2-8 each focus on one of the following mobile devices
and uses thereof: (1) personal digital assistants; (2) digital audio;
(3) digital input and output devices; (4) tablets, webpads, and
ruggedized notebooks; (5) smart cell phones; (6) global positioning
systems; and (7) wearable devices. Chapters 1-8 each contain the
following components: (1) a description of the technology in lay
terms, including its common uses; (2) the technology's applications
for corporate training and performance improvement; (3) case studies
of actual or potential training and performance improvement solutions
in various business settings; (5) an outline of how to create and
distribute solutions using the device; (6) a checklist of guidelines
when considering adopting the technology; and (7) resources for
hardware, software, and solution providers. Chapter 9 explores the
Internet's potential as a tool for managing the new landscape of
learning and performance. The end-of-chapter resource lists contain a
total of 31 references. (MN)
Country of Publication: U.S.; New York 
Number of Pages: 192 
Publication Type: Books (010)
Guides - Non-Classroom Use (055) 
Journal Code: RIESEP2003 
Entry Month: 200309 
ERIC Number: ED473267 
Database:  ERIC 
 
LKT
Comments  
Subject: Re: The real advantages and disadvantages of TabletPC computer use in education
From: jbf777-ga on 28 Sep 2004 09:47 PDT
 
Note to researchers:

Susanam-ga is looking for more K-12 oriented material from completely
unbiased sources.  General media articles such as those from the NY
Times are unacceptable.

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