Advocating technology in the classroom is always a balancing act. On one hand, teachers are focused on the daily classroom responsibilities of managing instruction and maintaining the relationships with students. This takes tremendous time and energy, and the integration of technology is not always a priority, much less learning about "upcoming" and "unfamiliar" technologies such as the Tablet PC's. At the same time, as technology and the demand for instant information becomes more embedded in our culture, the expectations of being a successful educator will require a level of technology competency, which is why schools are now including full time technology specialists in each school to support this learning process.
Like all adults, teachers tend to learn best when they understand how something enhances their ability to do the job. The more concrete, the better. When a student can articulate why something is helpful, well, that's the best kind of evidence....
Frick, a high school student, states in his blog:
However, now that I have a tablet I have found that I use the computer much more. The weight is about 3lbs. and unlike my notebook, I can actually use it in class. So it pretty much goes with me everywhere throughout my day. Having it with me in class has created all kinds of new opportunities. I can take lecture notes with it, draw diagrams and pictures as necessary and many other things that couldn't be done with a notebook. In class teachers do not appreciate the click, click, click of the keyboard and thus notebooks may not be opened during lectures. With my tablet I can just write, draw and even record my lectures.
It's a good read: http://www.tabletpcblogs.com/blogs/frick/archive/2005/06/20/715.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage
Good job Frick! You are educating the educators...