Using a Tablet PC for Classroom Instruction

An increasing trend for lecture-based courses is for instructors to convert their lecture notes to slides that can be projected electronically. While there are many advantages to electronic projection, a large drawback is the loss of interactivity and spontaneity that can result. The use of a tablet PC by the instructor promises to overcome this difficulty. The tablet PC, combined with appropriate software, enables the instructor to "write and draw" using digital ink. This allows the instructor to provide colour attentional marks, annotations and drawings as the lecture progresses. Examples of the use of digitally inked slides for classroom teaching are given. While a basic study of the impact on using the tablet PC as the primary method of instruction does not show a noticeable difference in effectiveness over using other methods, both instructor and student responses to the use of the tablet PC were favorable