Microsoft Research
Faculty Summit 2007
Undertaking a Large-Scale
Tablet PC Deployment for
Computer Science &
Engineering Education
Joseph G. Tront
Glenda R. Scales
Virginia Tech
Goals
Describe VT tablet PC deployment
Demonstrate aspects of the use of
the tablet as a tool
Discuss assessment of the
effectiveness of the technology
Discuss how tablet can support
your teaching/learning
environment
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Background
University – ~28,000 students
CoE: 7,700 undergraduate & grad
students
45% from out of state
19% female
15% under-represented populations
Average SAT—1268
Average GPA from high school—3.75
13 Departments
Degrees awarded annually:
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Computer Requirement History
College of Engineering began its
requirement in 1984 with IBM
machines
University decided to require
computers in 1997
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Computer Requirement History
The College moved to a
notebook/laptop requirement in
2002
Mobility key to this move
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Rationale for Move to Tablets
To support pedagogical directions
Provide advanced pedagogical tools
to promote and support faculty /
student engagement in and outside
of classroom
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Improved Pedagogical Practices
Dynamic presentation
Active participation
Note-taking
Collaboration
Process-focused
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Decision Process
Constituencies:
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Choosing Tablet Requirements
Computer
Requirement
Platform
Fall 2006
OS
Windows XP Tablet 2005
Processor
Pentium Core Duo 1.83 GHz or single core
2.0 GHz
Memory
1 GB
Hard Disk
80 GB
Video Card
64 MB Discrete (128 Shared)
Optical Drive
DVD/CD-RW
Input/Output
USB 2.0
Wireless
802.11 b/g
Ethernet
10/100/1000
Modem
56 Kbs
Warranty
3 years with accident care
Convertible Tablet PC
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Choosing Tablet Requirements
Software baseline package 2006:
Autodesk Student Community (ASC)
site and exchange program
MatLab
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Campus Agreement
–
–
–
–
–
OS Upgrades
Office Professional
One Note
Visio
Project
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Choosing Vendors
Selection Criteria:
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Choosing Vendors
Selection Criteria:
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Training
Faculty
Faculty Development Institute
Training by vendors
Faculty Study Groups
Students
Student Technology Council
Freshman Tablet PC Group
Provide training for students
Test hardware and software
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Deployment Plan
FIRST Adopters
Faculty: Target freshmen classes, provide tablets,
peer mentoring
Infrastructure: Classroom design, network, power
Research: Curriculum reform, education
technology
Student: Student Technology Council, Utilization
of tablets
Technology: Technical support faculty and
students, Appropriate use of new software and
hardware;
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Deployment Model
Years 1 & 2
First adopters
Technology front runners
Freshmen teachers given tablets
Simple infusion of technology
Notes; grading; presentation
Departmental “gateway courses”
Presentation
Interaction
Collaboration
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Expected Improvements in
Teaching/Learning Practices
Dynamic Presentation
Vdd
IN
OUT
CMOS
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Dynamic Presentation
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Dynamic Presentation
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Expected Improvements in
Teaching/Learning Practices
Increased Active Learning
Opportunities
Flexibility
Spontaneity
Facilitate interaction
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Interaction
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Interaction
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Interaction
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Interaction
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Interaction
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Show color key
& guidelines
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Expected Improvements in
Teaching/Learning Practices
Note-taking
More Natural
Comprehensive
Easy search &
recall
Synchronized
voice recording
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Expected Improvements in
Teaching/Learning Practices
Facilitate Collaboration
Cooperation
Communication
Distance & local
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Expected Improvements in
Teacher Efficiency
Electronic Grading
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Shameless Commerce Division
Overlays display with a virtual
transparency
Allows ink on top of active
presentation
Punch through allows operating
program to be affected by
stylus/keyboard
www.ee.vt.edu/~jgtront/tabletpc
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Assessment
Beliefs about teaching, learning and
technology:
Learning gains come from adequate
instructional design theory and practice.
(Clark, 1994).
Educational technology can effectively support
the teaching and learning process.
A movement towards a constructivist teaching
approach which advocates that learners must
be engaged in constructing their own
knowledge.
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Assessment
How can tablets combined with ink
aware software support faculty with
engaging students particularly in
large classes?
How can tablets assist faculty with
being more efficient?
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Assessment Plan
Students
Interested to learn how the new capabilities
of the Tablet may be impacting how students
take notes.
Interested to learn how students are using
the Tablet and their opinion of the new
technology
Faculty
Current teaching practices
How faculty will adopt Tablet PC and new
instructional strategies
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Measurements to Date
Changes in Learning Strategies
Frequency of Technology Use
Faculty frequency use of technology
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The End
Questions?
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