Sunday, November 6, 2011

Digital Writing Pads: The Future of Classroom Technology?

How many of you have heard of Digital Tablets? I'm referring to digital writing tablets that are LCD based writing tools not Tablet computers. The technology has two primary stand alone forms (like Beta and VHS) at this time: 1) Pressure sensitive LCD which allows you to write directly onto the pad with a stylus and 2) Products that capture (usually to PDF) what is written with pen on paper placed over top the LCD screen.

The Boogie Board from Improv Electronics appears the most developed and marketed product representing the pressure sensitive devices. There are several models including 8.5" and 10.5" usable writing areas. New to their product line is the RIP model that allows users to internally save pages for transfer to a computer at a later time. One very interesting feature of this product is that electricity is only required for erasing or saving the documents. Electricity is not required for writing because the surface acts kind of like drawing in sand; when your apply pressure an image forms on the screen.

The DigiMemo from Solidtek represents the writing capture devices. Their products require the use 6x9" or 8x11" paper dependent upon model, and a proprietary pen. When users write on the page, the image is captured and saved for later use or transfer and can be used as a writing or drawing pad similar when connected to a computer. The writing capture devices offer the advantage of a hard copy of the document that can be given away while still retaining a digital copy for future record or use.

When thought through, there are some definite applications for both types of device. Capture devices like the DigiMemo have real and immediate use in many settings including the medical field (to track prescriptions and other information), billing (no more need for specialized tablets with copies in triplicate or more), and any service that provides estimates or onsite billing (such as contractors). For education, students can complete homework on the DigiMemo and have a copy for future reference. Teacher could send notes home to parents and keep accurate records without the need for copying.

The pressure sensitive devices seems a little less practical at this time. Although, at approximately $28, the 8.5" models, supplied to classrooms, would pay for themselves quickly as a replacement for whiteboards and markers. The RIP currently does not have a read through feature that allows you to review notes from previous pages so you can't review what you just wrote. Also, all of the models are erase all or none at this time making them impractical for taking notes because you are unable to erase mistakes, making their use especially problematic for math and science equations). Over the past few days, these initial thoughts have been modified as I looked toward the future potential of pressure sensitive LCD technology.

It is very possible to imagine a stylus with an eraser, much like the one included Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet and IWBs, becoming part of this technology. Imagine a full size, IWB like version of the Boogie Board mounted to the wall of the classroom. The pressure sensitive, touchscreen like capabilities would eliminate the need for a the current IWB projector system. The LCD screen, connected to a computer, is a giant monitor that allows for viewing computer images, videos, or anything else normally done using LCD monitors and televisions. At this time, the cost would be high, but I'm not sure it would be much higher than an IWB system and I think the benefits would be great because projector based systems suffer from ambient lighting, glare, and synchronization issues that a static LCD screen would reduce or eliminate.

With any luck, the value of this technology will be realized and schools will no longer be tethered to a fixed location for interactive technologies currently associated with IWBs. Free to"move" their board to any location in the room without the same level of concern for lighting and mounting issues, teachers would have even greater freedom and incentive to use the interactive technologies in their classrooms. The intuitive and easy to master touch screen aspects of pressure sensitive LCD screens that free the user from the use of special stylus or pen would remove additional obstacles for use associated with older IWBs. Ease of use and practical application are two of the most important means towards overcoming the fear of technology often held by educators. The potential applications of this technology could go a long way to overcoming these barriers.