Tablet PC Blogs

I’m a School Based Technology Specialist in a middle school. Basically, my job is to help teachers and students use technology effectively. A terrific job!

Last week, I received a HP/Compaq TC4200 Tablet PC. Since I’m also enrolled in a graduate program, I was eager to start using the Tablet as a student.

I felt like a student, or more like a “kid” with a new toy, since bringing the Tablet to a class drew a lot of curiosity from others- most eager, some doubtful.

“So is this Tablet PC really beneficial in education or is this just another toy?” OK, they can be a tough crowd since they are all future administrators who are being trained to manage a school with a sense of fiscal restraint and with everything always focused on student achievement. Such hesitation is good since the impact of the amount of money invested in technology is always being researched.

I am convinced that the Tablet PC will be the future in schools, but what will it take for the Tablet to be “useful?” This focus is the purpose of my blog. As I use the Tablet in my role as a specialist and student, I hope to gather observations and resources focused toward the following areas:

From the Teacher’s Point of View

• Identify best practices in integrating the Tablet PC to deliver instruction and manage other duties associated with teaching.

From the Student’s Point of View

• Identify how the Tablet PC enhances learning and other facets of life associated with being a student. It would be helpful if our students had Tablet PC’s, but I can count myself in this category since I’m also a student..