Jan

17

Graphics tablets in the classroom

January 17, 2007 | Leave a Comment

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

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