Workshop - tablet PCs in engineering education & research

Abstract

Tablet PCs are one of the newest innovations in computing and communications tools, offering an opportunity to positively impact the way in which students and faculty use technology to support teaching and learning. In this three hour workshop faculty will receive a hands-on introduction to the use of several tablet-based software tools including OneNote, Classroom Presenter, WriteOn, ChemPad, VectorPad and Math Journal. We will provide sufficient instruction for faculty to have a basic competency with the technology. Most importantly, we will show faculty various pedagogical practices that we have found helpful in using these technology tools in the classroom over the past three years. Active learning exercises for various disciplines will be emphasized. Faculty will be tasked with developing short active learning exercises starting from the development of goals for the exercise, through the desired student interaction, and ending with the exercise assessment and improvement strategy. Assessment processes will be discussed so that future practitioners can better understand how to measure the effectiveness of the use of technology tools.