As we move towards the confusing future of education and the role technology plays in information artisanship with our students, sometimes it’s nice to just share the simple, practical use of a new tool within our classrooms.

One such tool is the simple pen-based graphics tablets which were designed to allow a human interface with software utilizing a pen instead of a mouse. This was primarily designed for use by artists.

A couple of years ago, just as we started a 1:1 laptop pilot, I was passed one by our school tech coordinator and asked if we might use it in someway with students.  Well…we never got that far – although I expect it would have many applications there as well.  But I immediately latched on to it as a tool for turning my computer/projector/screen into a whiteboard.

I have had the opportunity to use a SMART Airliner (wireless version designed for use with the SMART Software tools) but for pure ease of setup and use, it’s hard to beat the USB-wired WACOM tablets (picture above).  I have used the smallest USB connected Graphire 4×5 model, but there are other larger ones, even some more expensive wireless ones.  The one I use is currently running at just over CAN$100…great return on the investment.

These things are such a hot commodity among our staff that over 15 of them showed up for a day on their Christmas holidays for some PD after each of them was offered a WACOM to use in their classrooms as a benefit!  There are some hand/eye issues – the kids have a good laugh for the first couple of days of kindergartenesque scrawls – but the results improve after just a couple of days of practice!

technorati tags: education, wacom, technology