Tablet-Specific+Resources

=__Using a Tablet PC in the Classroom__= toc

Using a tablet computer can be frustrating at first, but there are many different applications that you can use for your tablet in a classroom environment.

Best Practices
Some of the best ways for educators to use a tablet in the classroom are:
 * operating a "paperless classroom" - many of the tasks that teachers normally do with pen-and-paper can be done with a Tablet PC (e.g., taking attendance, tracking learning skills, marking using a rubric, etc.);
 * making hand-drawn diagrams for tests or class notes;
 * using the "Ink Aware" function in Microsoft Office: allowing the teacher to hand-write in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
 * synchronizing with a SMART Board

For many more ideas, check out the following [|Concept Map]:

This massive concept map contains an unbelievable amount of information, all organized, and linked. You will find ideas on the "must-haves" for a classroom teacher, supporting educational theory, useful software, links to excellent websites, blogs, etc. There is __so much__ information here, that you really don't need to look anywhere else!!!

Microsoft OneNote 2007​
One of the components of Microsoft Office: perhaps the best program for the educator with a tablet PC. Acts like a virtual binder: you can handwrite on "pages" in OneNote, or create documents. You can print documents or emails directly into OneNote, or link to documents or webpages. An excellent program. More information available [|here], including a demo video.

__ Microsoft Tools for Tablet PC's __
[|Education Pack for Tablet PC's] [|Experience Pack for Tablet PC's] [|Power Tools for PC] Bundles of software which can be downloaded specifically for Tablet PC's. Some highlights in these packages are:

Snipping Tool: allows you to use the pen to "cut out" and select any shape on the desktop. Useful for taking screen shots of documents, websites, videos, etc.

Power Paint - a powerful Paint program for Tablet PC's - a significant upgrade from Microsoft Paint

Physics Illustrator - an animation which allows you to draw 2-D models, apply forces to them, and watch the results.

The most tools have been developed for Windows XP; there are less tools for Windows Vista. Although it is new, there seem to be more tablet-specific tools for Windows 7 then there are for Vista.

[|Classroom Presenter]
Software designed specifically for the use of Tablet PC's in the classroom. It allows for the teacher to annotate slides and send them to students, but also allows students to make notes on slides, and send them back to the teacher. Must be [|seen] to understand how useful this can be!