On the first day of WIPTE (Workshop on the Impact of Pen-Based Technology on Education), attendees decided that on the second day of the workshop that they'd record their own I'm a PC commercial -- describing to the world the value and fun aspects of using Tablet PCs. Joe Tront from Virginia Tech just made this video available on YouTube. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to do this. This is my favorite "I'm a PC" story yet.

What do they describe as benefits? Here's a list:

1. Touch
2. Take notes
3. Record lectures
4. Share ideas
5. Make music
6. Can make eye contact and write
7. Engage students in learning
8. Annotate on diagrams
9. Help achieve dreams
10. Help teachers teach and students learn
11. Do the twist ;)
12. joke about lost pen
13. Do physics!
14. Use it

As the Zvi states in the video, "Tablet PC, that's the way to go!"

In flipping through feeds today, I've run across some very nice comments about Tablet PCs. Here are three from twitter.

OpinionatedGeek: @scribbl - I'm not sure how much serious work I could get done on my iPhone, but boy is it handy! I do love the Tablet PC interface though.

songsnchaos: @rasrasras I got tired of scanning. But I saved up and bought myself a tablet so I LOVE the PC now.

bmcbreen: @stephaniehayden Don't tell Uncle Steve, but I am enjoying my new tablet PC + MS OneNote combo; but if that pen works, it's got competition

Microsoft published a Windows 7 Developer Guide yesterday afternoon.

Windows 7 Developer Guide
Build applications on a solid foundation; enable richer application experiences; and integrate the best of Windows and web services. The features and technologies of the Windows 7 operating system enable you to build the next generation of software applications. Download this guide to read descriptions of those features and see vivid screen shots from the pre-Beta version of Windows 7 released at PDC.

The Table of Contents summarizes API categories for Tablet & Touch technologies:

RICHER APPLICATION EXPERIENCES............................................ 16

Intuitive User Experience 16

Multi-Touch Gestures, and Manipulation and Inertia APIs 16

Single-Finger Panning 17

Raw Touch Input Data 17

Handwriting and Ink 18

Math Recognition 18

Pen Input Diagramming 19

Handwriting with Personalized Custom Dictionary 19

Then jumping to page 18 on Math Recognition, we get additional information about the Math Input Panel:

Math Recognition

The new Math Recognition feature enables users to enter math into applications by means of handwriting—the most natural and efficient way of entering mathematical expressions. The functionality is provided by two UI components. Math Input Panel is a stand-alone Windows accessory that works with any math-aware application. Math Input Control is integrated into applications through its API.

Underlying the UI components is the Math Recognizer. This engine recognizes handwritten mathematical expression and translates the result into MathML format for applications to use. The correction experience has been improved to help users make corrections faster.

I can imagine that developers work on math apps will be excited to have access to an advanced math control like this.

In reading further, can learn that the Ink Analysis APIs are updated. We also get a glimpse of Scenic Ribbon control, which will allow developers to deliver a more consistent user experience. Looks pen friendly!

Thanks, Eliot!

Windows 7 Screenshot

Microsoft is streaming PDC '08 keynotes, so you can watch them live:

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On Thursday, the 2008 Premier Award for Excellence in Engineering Education Courseware at the Frontiers in Education Conference was presented to Richard Anderson, Ruth Anderson, Natalie Linnell, Craig Prince and those who have contributed to Classroom Presenter development. Congratulations!

 
Screenshot of Classroom Presenter

Classroom Presenter is a presentation tool, combines whiteboard and slide-based presentation methods with delivery of lecture materials from the teacher's Tablet PCs to students' Tablet PCs. So, students receive the instructor's live lecture and can then add their own notes and select students' work can be shared back with the instructor for a complete set of lecture information. It includes additional interactive features, such as QuickPolling, which allows instructors to assess understanding of a topic while presenting.

As Classroom Presenter grew out of the Center on Collaborative Technologies, which is funded by Microsoft Research External Research and Programs, Classroom Presenter is freely available to those in academics who would like to use it. The source code is also available.

Download Classroom Presenter 3.1 

Download Classroom Presenter for the OLPC

Getting Started with Classroom Presenter

Available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Chinese

According to CrunchGear, the leading maker of classroom interactive whiteboards, Smart Technologies, will introduce its Smart Table interactive learning center this week. Here is the press release dated this coming Thursday, October 23rd with details and a video showing kids using the new table.

>Children can work in small groups around the table to manipulate objects, draw and write on the horizontal screen.

• 27" diagonal screen (29" W x 25" H)
• Supports multiple users & multiple fingers
• Gestures include pinching object to scale size and object rotation
• Wide viewing angle
• Ships with interactive learning applications, including activities and games
• Toolkit for teachers to create their own applications
• ISVs partners and content developers to offer products in Spring '09 to run on the Smart Table.

The press release lists $8000 as the educational price, with a caveat "To be determined." Look forward to seeing an update from Smart Technologies.

Congratulations on the new product launch. Can't wait to see how these will be used by students and the types of applications that are created for it.

As schools adopt PCs for students to use in the classroom and take home, it is good to see more appropriate hardware designs be made available on the market. The balance between the value of the PC and cost is difficult for many schools, so seeing affordable entry-level solutions like the next Intel Classmate design is encouraging.

The next generation Classmate PC will include an integrated digitizer on the display, so that a student can use either a finger or stylus to enter information. The ability to control the PC literally at the touch of a finger will be good for entering commands and direct object manipulation. What ways do you see students using touch technology?

Though touch is a great natural interaction addition to a traditional mobile PC, the educational value of writing and drawing directly on the screen far exceeds touch. On first thought, you may nod your head because the most common tools in the classroom include pen, paper, and [chalkboard or] whiteboard. The one-for-one value of being able to accomplish whatever the students do on paper on a PC can be met. Students can write, erase, and turn in the assignment. The challenge comes with moving beyond the analog equivalent, and this is possible with the right software.

At a simple level, a student may draw a triangle in one space and want to move it to another location. The student can erase it and re-draw, or using the stylus the student can select and move the triangle. Let's say the student wants three more of that same triangle, so now can copy the original, paste the new, then move the new to the preferred locations. Object replication is simple on a PC and faster than with paper and pencil.

A more complex example includes the software providing real-time feedback to the student, so the student knows if his or her answer was correct or incorrect. MathPractice is an example of this type of software. This involves handwriting or shape recognition and software developers can integrate this aspect into applications and this will work if the operating system is Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista Business or Enterprise, or the software vendor creates proprietary ink and recognition engine.

Have you gotten a preview of the next generation Intel Classmate? What are your thoughts about it? How do you see your students using it?

For more information on the next Intel Classmate PC, go to http://www.classmatepc.com/sneak-peak/

Jim Vanides from HP attended WIPTE and our panel via VSee. Prior to the sessions, Ed Evans from Purdue University and I spent time setting up two microphones and two webcameras so that Jim could see the group and the group could see Jim. It took us about a 1/2 hour to set up both Tablet PCs and I think worked fairly well.

Equipment used:

• Fujitsu Tablet PC with integrated webcamera: The screen was swiveled so the webcamera faced the screen during Jim's intro. During the Q&A portion of the session, Ed carried the Fujitsu Tablet PC with a microphone attached to each person asking a question, so Jim could hear the person clearly and see the individual with whom he was speaking.
• Lenovo Tablet PC with Logitech webcamera: The Lenovo Tablet PC rested on the podium with a Logitech webcamera pointed at the audience. The viewing angle was wide enough for Jim to see about 2/3 of the room and it was easy enough to move and point another direction when necessary.
• Room speaker system & projector allowed the audience to listen and see Jim.

As you know, I really enjoy talking with people to learn how they're using technology. This week I was able to go to two conferences that happened to overlap in timing, so as you can imagine I was thrilled. First, I attended WIPTE where I was on two panels with Jim Vanides from HP. Then on Thursday and Friday I had the chance to attend Project Inkwell meeting and you can see photos from that meeting on Flickr.

The events were fairly different in form, but the goals are similar of improving the implementation of technology in education and sharing information about advances and research. It's a privilege to be involved and I was honored to spend time with all of you this week.

During the two blogger panels at WIPTE I showed many sites that are useful for finding information about Tablet and Touch technologies. Here is a list of those sites Jim & I mentioned, as well as a few more that you might find useful:

• Craig Pringle's blog 
• Frank LaVigne's blog
• GottaBeMobile
• Incremental Blogger
• JKontheRun
• Mobile PC Wiki
• Mobility Matters
• Nice Creations
• Student Tablet PC (new name Endless Scholar)
• Sumocat's Scribbles
• TabletPc2.com
• Tablet PC Buzz
• Tablet PC Corner (French)
• Tablet PC Education Blog 
• TabletPCReview
• Tablet PC Talk
• Teaching, Learning, & Technology in Higher Education - Jim Vanides
• Teaching and Learning Economics with Technology
• Teaching with Tablet PCs
• Technology Questions education forum
• TheTabletPC.net
• UltraMobilePC Tips
• UMPC Portal

Aggregators, search engines, & social networking sites:

• Thredr.com
• Alltop
• Friendfeed
• Google blog search
• Technorati
• Techmeme
• Twitter

Keep in mind that when you rely on search engines that you need to use a variety of keywords to find content related to Tablet PCs and education. People may refer to handwriting recognition, ink, touch, specific model numbers as "notebooks" or "laptops" that are convertible, or mis-spell Tablet PC as tabletpc.