First, what is a tablet PC?  Basically it is a notebook computer with the technology to allow the user to operate the computer with something other than the keyboard or the mouse, such as a fingertip, a digital pen, or a stylus.  The notebook needs to be light enough to carry around the classroom since the teacher will be using the computer from many different spots in the classroom.

The first session, “Using a Tablet PC in the High School Classroom,” presented by Amy Durden and Lisa Kavannaugh, detailed the benefits of using a Tablet PC in the classroom.  Besides helping to keep the students’ attention, Tablet PCs allow the teacher to teach while facing the students.  Since the teacher does not have to turn his/her back to the students in order to write on the board, students are not given the opportunity to be off task.  The Tablet PC is wireless and very portable, allowing the teacher to walk around the classroom, interacting with the students during the lesson, while projecting the teacher’s notes and outlines.  The laptop does not allow such ease of portability. 

The Tablet PC and its software can be used for classroom presentations, can save class notes for absent students, can be used to post these notes to the teacher’s website, or can be used to email lessons or notes to students.  The Tablet PC can be used by the teacher to help with one on one tutoring, to record tutorials for use by other students, to use during lessons to allow students to work problems that can then be projected onto the board.  Software to help with these tasks include PowerPoint, Windows Journal software, GoBinder (free download) and Microsoft OneNote.  Much of this software either comes with the Tablet PC or else is a free download. 

A second session, “Tablet PC or Laptop?” presented by Tina Young, detailed the differences between a laptop PC and a Tablet PC.  The Tablet PC has all the benefits of a laptop as well as the added ability to become like a notepad tablet.  The Tablet PC can be oriented either horizontally like a laptop or vertically like a notepad.  It can be used either upright like a laptop, or like a notebook.  Students can be more organized using the Tablet PC since they do not have multiple binders and loose papers.  Students are also able to email their homework to the teacher. 

As I see it, the advantages of a Tablet PC outweigh the disadvantages which include increased cost of the system and the increased possibility of damage to the system because of the additional wear and tear caused by its portability.  The two presentations at this GaETC conference reinforced the benefits for the students when Tablet PCs are used in the classroom by both teachers and students.