Using the Tablet PC for Instruction

In late 2002 the first Tablet PCs were unveiled. The unique feature of these PCs was that they allowed the user to write on the screen with a stylus in addition to using a mouse. Since their introduction reviews of Tablet PCs have been mixed (Bishop, 2003). Many reviewers and users have questioned whether the novel features provided by the technology are really useful enough to justify the higher price of the machines for typical users (e.g., Shaw, 2005). In this brief, the potential benefits of the Tablet PC for instructors are analyzed.