Back Home Next
ASC Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference
University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati, Ohio
April 6 - 9, 2005         
 
Instructor Utilization of the Tablet PC in the Construction Classroom
 
John J. Hannon
The University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
 
The author has experimented with a tablet personal computer and peer-to-peer projector networking in the delivery of undergraduate construction management courses.  This paper expresses the successes and drawbacks of the experience as well as information concerning the hardware and software involved for instructors contemplating such changes and/or solutions.  The tablet personal computer provides advantages as well as disadvantages in relation to notebook computers in instructor delivery of undergraduate construction management curriculum.  The availability of mobile projection systems allow the instructor to set up course delivery in any location capable of reflecting the projector’s output.  In addition, compact mobile computers and projectors give the instructor independence in an environment of scarce classroom resources.  Reporting as a relative early adopter of these hardware and software combinations, other instructors can use the information to make more informed decisions on products which are quickly becoming smaller, more sophisticated, and lower in price.
 
Key Words:  Tablet PC, Slate Tablet, Convertible Tablet, Ink, OneNote, digitizer
 
 
Introduction
 
In the spring of 2004 the author purchased both a sub-notebook and a tablet personal computer (PC).  Already utilizing a high-end desktop PC for the majority or his computing needs, the notebook was intended for traveling purposes (presentations) and the tablet was anticipated for use in the classroom.  Having performed some research on their features, the tablet PC was also purchased with the intention of exploiting the handwritten note-taking capabilities inherent in the machines.  The plan was that since the author was delivering courses from textbooks which were new to him and an active note-taker ordinarily, that the notes could be captured electronically and posted to course websites if needed either in the native handwriting or converted text formats.
 
 
Tablet Personal Computer Defined
 
The tablet computer fundamentally is a notebook PC without a keyboard, it is a not a PDA as it contains a rotating hard disk (Walker 2001).  The device contains a digitizer embedded in the screen display and relies upon a pen or stylus for user input.  Physical keyboards are optional for external plug-in configurations when desiring usage in a desktop setting.  There are currently four main methods of user input for the tablet; tapping an on-screen virtual keyboard, character recognition as utilized in Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), voice recognition, and handwritten ‘Ink’.  Drawings, handwriting, and annotations created with the pen stylus are called ‘Ink’.  The first three methods produce lettered text as we are most familiar (like text in a word processor or ASCII text), while the use of Ink saves hand writing electronically in its original state of entry.  A software application has the ability to convert the Ink into formatted text (depending upon the level of the software’s ‘recognition’ of the handwritten words).  The IT industry characterizes tablet PC use by the following attributes (Walker, 2001):
 
bulletCombines the simplicity of paper with the power of the PC
bulletCombines the rich features of a notebook with the simplicity of a pen
bulletA natural form of computing
bulletAn adaptable, ergonomic form factor
 
The author’s research shows that Microsoft Windows XP Tablet Edition is the only viable operating system currently available for the tablet PC which enables interaction with the digitizer.  If you have a license for Windows XP, a free download of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 is offered as a free upgrade.
 
When utilizing a tablet computer, unless an external keyboard and/or mouse are attached, the primary and exclusive method of input is with what is called a stylus.  A stylus is a pen-shaped device which is used to write on the digitizer and to move the cursor as a mouse normally would.  When the user can manipulate the cursor with the stylus, this allows navigation through software interfaces as is typically done; dropping down windows, choosing validation buttons, etc.  Instead of summoning dialogue windows by right or left mouse clicking, the stylus is gently pressed upon the digitizer-screen.  Dragging is accomplished by similarly maintaining contact with the object to be moved.  The stylus is electro-statically charged and exchanges radio frequency (RF) signals with the digitizer.  This is significant in that only the specialized stylus can manipulate the digitizer, not just any pen-like device as is the case with most PDAs and their screen input.  Secondly, and more positively, it assures that other objects which contact the tablet’s screen do not accidentally cause unintended navigation or manipulation of the software applications or operating system.  Another related feature to the screen is that the display can be configured for any perspective in which the tablet is positioned, that is, its orientation can be in two landscape and two portrait configurations (up, down, sideways).
 
Tablet PCs are manufactured in two main configurations:
 
  1. Slate:  This is the original native format of the tablet computer.  As the word suggests, the form factor is a thin, usually rectangular device which is easily cradled on the arm or in the lap.  There is no attached physical keyboard, although there are input connectors which will accommodate one (USB).
  2. Conversion:  This is a popular combination of the tablet PC and a notebook computer.  Typically the device resembles and provides all of the functionality of a notebook PC.  It can convert to tablet functionality by swiveling the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen to lie atop the keyboard portion of the computer thereby enabling a flat writing surface for the stylus upon the digitizer.
 
Tablet computer components, namely the digitizer-screens, are manufactured by only a few sources worldwide.  In addition, several companies which assemble and market the tablet computers also co-brand their products with other distributors.  In essence, you could purchase a tablet from two different vendors and possess two versions of the very same machine.
 
Hardware
 
After an extensive search of online reviews and forums, the author chose to experiment with a slate tablet PC.  Already having possession of a notebook PC for traveling and presentation purposes, and utilizing a desktop PC in the office, the intention was to discover and leverage the purported unique characteristics of the slate tablet computer.
 
The hardware specifications of the slate tablet computer which is the subject of this report are reported in Table 1.
 
Table 1
 
Motion Computing M1300 model Tablet PC Specifications
Processor Type
Pentium M / Intel Centrino
Clock Speed
1 GHz
Core Voltage Technology
Ultra Low Voltage (ULV)
Processor Manufacturer
Intel
Installed RAM / Speed / Type
512 MB, 266 MHz, DDR SDRAM
Maximum RAM Supported
1024 MB
Hard Drive Size
20 GB
Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Audio Output
Sound card
Audio Input
Microphone
Battery Technology
Lithium ion
Chassis Built-in Devices
 
 
Microphone
 
Stereo speakers
 
802.11b Wireless Connectivity Antennae
Data Bus Speed
400 MHz
Maximum Resolution
1024 x 768
Compliant Standards
IEEE 802.11b
Depth
9.45 in
Height
.87 in
Weight
3 lbs
Width
11.65 in
Ports, Number/Connection Type
 
 
1 Microphone Input
 
1 Headphones Out
 
2 Hi-Speed USB
 
1 Display / video VGA
 
1 IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
 
1 Modem Phone line
 
1 Network Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX
 
1 Docking / port replicator
Expansion Slots
2 (1 free) Memory, 1 (1 free) CardBus Type II
Service & Support
1 year warranty
 
Accessories bundled with the author’s purchase of the M1300 included two lithium ion batteries, external battery charger (capacity for two) and chord, an external USB keyboard, a stand for the slate to act as a monitor for a desktop setting, a hard cover for the digitizer screen useful when stored and traveling, an external CD-ROM FireWire drive, and a special cloth for cleaning the digitizer screen.  Additional accessories are available for purchase such as additional pens, CD-RW/DVD devices, replication ports, a screen cover which also functions as an external keyboard and slate stand, and travel cases.
 
Although it has been less than a year since the author purchased the machine from Motion Computing, the M1300 is no longer offered.  The manufacturer currently promotes their new model M1400 and the M1300 can be purchased from online auctions at $1,000.00 or less.  The author’s original purchase, with stated accessories, was $2300.00 in April 2004.  Figures 1-3 display these various aspects of the M1300 slate computer.
 
Figure 1:   Slate computer cradled on arm ready for stylus input.
 
Figure 2:   Slate computer on display stand with USB keyboard attached..
 
Figure 3:   Slate computer connection ports.
 
Software
 
The software bundled with the M1300 included Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition as the operating system, Microsoft Office OneNote 2003, Microsoft Windows Journal, and an upgrade disk for Microsoft Office XP (2002) which enables pen markup (annotation and collaboration) via the digitizer to the Microsoft Office XP applications.  Currently Motion Computing’s tablets ship with Microsoft Office 2003 which negates the requirement of the upgrade disk.  The author’s institution offers site licenses for MS Office XP, so these applications were not included for purchase in the package bundle, and the upgrade disk was utilized.  When the institution rolls out licenses for MS Office 2003, the author plans to install the newer version for increased functionality built into Microsoft’s latest applications.
 
The Microsoft operating system for the tablet allows for navigation with the stylus upon the digitizer screen.  Besides that functionality, the user discerns no difference in the operating system from which may be familiar on laptop and desktop systems.  All Windows software applications that the author has installed on the tablet function as normal.  These include construction estimating and scheduling applications.  For approximately the first dozen boots of the new tablet, the pen and the digitizer had trouble communicating, requiring a restart of the operating system each time.  When the author’s frustration level reached the point of motivation to call Motion Computing technical support, the problem miraculously disappeared and has not occurred since.
 
Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system allows for several input methods of text.  An external keyboard can be attached to the slate tablet and the machine functions as a typical personal computer.  An onscreen keyboard allows the pen stylus to tap characters as is the common practice with handheld computers and personal digital assistants.  The same onscreen keyboard allows the user to apply handwriting recognition of alphanumeric characters and symbols with the onscreen Text Input Panel (TIP) rather than the tapping method.  Several sophisticated third-party applications are available as onscreen keyboards.  Finally, the operating system features voice recognition which the author has found works quite well.  As with character and handwriting recognition, the software must be ‘trained’ to recognize specific input of the user.
 
The tablet PC is designed to Microsoft’s Tablet PC specification (Walker, 2001) and enables the user to annotate the MS Office applications with the pen stylus.  This accomplishes digitally (electronically) what would occur if students or coworkers were to submit a Microsoft Office document on paper and it was annotated physically with a pen or pencil (i.e. grading).  Utilization of Ink is available for all the MS Office applications as well as Adobe Acrobat.
 
Two bundled Microsoft applications are intended for Ink exclusively.  The first, Microsoft OneNote 2003 is a relatively new application included in the MS Office 2003 bundle (or sold separately).  This is a feature-rich application created specifically for use with the tablet PC.  OneNote allows the user to utilize the stylus for recording words, sentences, or sketches with handwriting instead of typing text.  The Ink is saved as an object and the software can be trained to convert the handwriting to conventional text if desired.  In addition, OneNote has search functionality for handwritten and typed text within files and documents similar to search functions with conventional text.  A detailed analysis and description of OneNote would require a separate writing, but the application lends itself very well to note taking on the tablet PC and the organization and retrieval of that data.  The author has had limited success with the handwritten text conversion, but admittedly does not take the time to ‘train’ the software for recognition.  In addition, this user prefers to store the data in handwritten format.  OneNote also allows the user to record audio while handwriting occurs and these two input functions are synchronized in the OneNote files.  This enables users to both take notes and record the audio from a meeting or lecture and, once recorded, to replay the specific audio portion of the recording when a specific portion of the handwritten record is reviewed.    The second bundled Ink application, Microsoft Windows Journal, is a lesser application for taking handwritten notes.  This software appears intended for tablet PC users without access to OneNote.
 
 
Features
 
Suspension.
 
The Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system offers a ‘Stand By’ mode for conserving the computer’s available battery power during brief periods on non-use.  If the user has applications running, placing the operating system into Stand By suspends most of the computer’s hardware functions but allows continuation of the session without requiring a reboot of the machine.  When resuming from Stand By mode the software applications are still loaded and ready to resume functionality.
 
Connectivity.
 
The M1300 has embedded wireless communication ability to the internet or other computers and networks.
 
Presentation.
 
The author utilizes a screen projector in the classroom which establishes a wireless peer-to-peer connection with the tablet PC.  When the wireless connection is made between the machines, the instructor can position himself anywhere in the classroom while the students see a view of the computer’s screen.  This has been especially beneficial as not all classrooms at the institution are equipped for multimedia presentations.
 
Annotation.
 
Utilization of the slate computer allows the instructor to annotate student’s work (from Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel) during contact hours, create and project sketches while lecturing, and taking notes during lectures as students observe.  All of these tasks are electronically recorded for later retrieval and/or dissemination.
 
Recording Notes.
 
A useful application of the M1300’s embedded microphone is the recording of presentations and meetings.  Utilizing the OneNote software program, the instructor can take handwritten grading notes of student presentations while capturing the audio portion of the event for later playback.  The software allows synchronization or cross-referencing of the audio with the recorded handwriting.
 
Usability
 
The tablet computer allows the user certain freedoms which are not possible with other mobile computing devices.  It is the need for these freedoms which should mandate its selection as a tool in the first place.  A slate computer allows the owner to engage in computing with a very casual form factor.  That is, an instructor can serve multimedia presentations, take notes, annotate other’s work, connect to and browse the internet, and most other computational tasks, all while walking around in the classroom with the slate cradled in the arm.  A more appropriate term for the form factor should possibly be ‘notepad’ as the user carries and holds the machine in the same manner as a pad of paper.  The author found this aspect of the tool’s use to come quite naturally.  The user does however have to get used to navigating software without a conventional mouse or keyboard.  This is a fairly significant adjustment factor and users who do not enjoy venturing into the ‘newness’ of it will be frustrated.  The M1300 has yet to produce a volume of heat which makes carrying or cradling uncomfortable.  Each of the lithium ion batteries have consistently allowed approximately three hours of computing time before requiring recharge, thereby enabling six full hours of use (split between two charged batteries) before AC power is needed.
 
The author has found that the tablet lends itself very well to not only course delivery in the classroom, but also to specific situations like attendance at meetings and conferences.  For example, when attending a professional conference’s scheduled presentations, the author had the ability to locate and open the author’s paper located on the internet, record handwritten notes and audio of the lecture, or annotate directly on the published paper.  Faculty and graduate committee meetings are easily documented with the tablet PC.  Most importantly for the author, is the opportunity to discard management of as much paper as possible.  Filing and retrieving notes and documentation electronically comes much more easily to some.
 
 
Advantages
 
Mobility.
 
The ease of transporting the slate computer is one of its most significant advantages.  This manifests itself by the way of two attributes; weight and size.  At a weight of 3 pounds, the machine can be totted along with the author’s projector which has the same mass.  Considering that many full-featured and full-sized notebook computers weigh-in today between 4-6 pounds, the author can carry both major tools at that payload weight.  At less than an inch in width, the computer can be carried easily along with three-ring notebooks and bound paper books in most types of carrying cases.  The computer can be purchased with a myriad of options which can contribute to both its purchase price and weight.  For example, the author procured the M1300 with a simple snap-on lid to protect the computer’s LCD screen when not in use (this snaps onto the back of the machine when in use).  An optional lid which also functions as a stand and keyboard can be purchased but will add relatively significant cost and weight.
 
Specific Form Factor.
 
The slate is designed to be cradled on the arm. It is intended to be used in the similar fashion as a pad of notebook paper when taking notes in a standing or seated position.  The author’s experience is that the transition from paper pads to the slate is an easy one.  When taking handwritten notes on the slate, the hand is rested upon the LCD screen as one would upon the paper pad.  The term ‘road warrior’ has been opined in recent times to signify business travelers and the unique challenges they face.  There is an entire industry built upon marketing information technology tools to this demographic.  In regards to the infantile tablet PC market, the term ‘corridor warrior’ has emerged.  The designation suggests productivity workers who typically spend significant amounts of their workday outside of their office attending meetings and spending time on their feet without the benefit of desktop workspace.  In fact, the tablet computer market has been slow to grow.  Despite an unsuccessful attempt in the 1990’s, the computer hardware and software manufacturers now focus their marketing on the medical establishment (Walker, 2001).
 
The tablet lends itself very well to travel situations where desktop space is limited or nonexistent. 
When workspace is limited, the stylus can be utilized for input.  When a keyboard is required, the slate can be inserted upon its stand and the external USB keyboard (which also contains a touchpad for mouse-cursor movement) attached.
 
Ink.
 
The applications that give tablet PCs their unique functionality are those that utilize handwriting capabilities or ‘Ink’.  In the case of the M1300, these would include Microsoft Journal and Microsoft OneNote 2003.  OneNote is a sophisticated application disguised in a very simple user interface.  The software looks like a large sheet of lined notebook paper waiting for you to write upon it with the stylus (it also accepts typed input from virtual or physical keyboards).  The application file structure hierarchy consists of folders, sections, pages, and subpages.  All of these elements can be dragged into different groups for reorganization.  For instance, pages can be dragged into different sections and sections can be dragged into existing folders.  Blocks of handwritten text are saved as objects which enables the user to ‘select’ a block of text for moving, resizing, formatting, or converting to ‘typed’ text.  The handwriting recognition feature of OneNote (converting Ink into text) is limited.  The author found that unless handwritten notes are made in ‘conventional’ form (such as all capital letters), the conversion to text is happenstance. 
 
OneNote contains several other interesting and useful features.  The user has several options while taking handwritten notes.  Note Flags can be inserted on the page to associate with specific blocks of text.  This is a metaphorically the same as writing symbols next to notes taken on paper for highlighting or emphasizing important sections to the note taker.  The application then allows for Note Flag searching and summarization as well as exportation of the flagged handwriting or text to new sections.  The other search features of OneNote allow the user to search for both handwritten and typed character strings.  The author has found that this feature works quite well on handwritten objects.  Another significant feature of the software is its ability to record audio and to synchronize it with the notes.  The feature allows the user to associate specific blocks of text with audio which was recorded at the time the text was written (for instance , the user could clarify ambiguous notes with what a speaker actually said in a paper presentation).  This is easily accomplished with the built-in microphone on the M1300.
 
A final feature worth revealing is the ability of OneNote to publish notes to Web pages.  In theory, the instructor can take notes produced in the classroom or in course preparation and later upload them to a course website.  The files are created as Web pages with a .mth extension.  Microsoft refers to them as Web archive files (Johnson, 2003).
 
One attitude which should be adopted regarding the Ink paradigm in the author’s opinion (and Microsoft’s) is that Ink should be utilized for handwritten document storage and not for converting handwriting to text.  “Consider the typical person who takes notes in a spiral-bound paper notebook during a meeting.  They don’t always type up the notes and format them into a Word document immediately after the meeting.  Many times (more often than not), they just  leave the notes in Ink format.  They can refer to them and use them as is.  Similarly, when they annotate something or draw circles and arrows, it’s useful in that form.  (OneNote’s) capability of searching and manipulating Ink makes it even more useful.  Ink doesn’t always have to be transformed into data” (Walker, 2001).
 
 
Disadvantages
 
Cost.
 
The high cost of tablet computers compared to notebook computers may contribute to their slow adoption rate by instructors, students, and the general public.  With current prices of capable notebook computers at approximately half that of tablet computers, experimentation with a new form factor and computing paradigm is a risky proposition.  Motion Computing now offers their third generation tablet with a list price of $1, 999 (Blickenstorfer, 2004).  The newer offering leverages the improvement in hardware technology over the previous models (M1200 and M1300), providing the purchaser with more computing power and features.  One possible solution to this disadvantage would be to procure one of the older models unused from Web-based vendors, thereby mitigating some of the cost of experimentation.
 
Software Options & File Formats.
 
One of the significant shortfalls of the tablet computer is the lack of specialized application software for its use.  With the exception of OneNote and Journal, the author has not discovered any other programs worthy of purchase and/or installation.  This will no doubt change with time if the tablet computer becomes more mainstream.  As it stands currently, software applications are being developed for ‘vertical’ businesses such as the medical and insurance professions.  Should educators and students adopt the concept in the future, more specific educational software applications would be expected to be produced and available.
 
One of the disappointments with OneNote, and indirectly with the tablet computer paradigm, are the complications the author experienced with publishing notes to the Web.  OneNote converts Ink to a proprietary file format (Microsoft Web Archive) which is readable only by Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) browser.  The file format extension is .mth or .mhtml.  The source code generated from the conversion is non-standard HTML code as specified by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).  Microsoft Journal can read the converted OneNote files and export them in Tagged Image File Format (.tif).  The only other option the author found at any type of standardization was conversion to PDF file format with the use of Adobe Acrobat Distiller.  An additional problem, when the OneNote files where uploaded to the Web in the Microsoft file format, was the amount of time it took the files to render in the IE browser.  The notes tended to be long in content (a law course) and since each block of Ink is saved as an object, considerable computing power is required for the content to render quickly.  Unfortunately, in the author’s opinion, currently the usage of tablet computer software locks users into Microsoft Corporation’s operating system and non-standard file formats.
 
Specific Form Factor.
 
The tablet computer is designed for users which either need to perform their computing functions without a keyboard and/or standing up.  If the user typically requires keyboard entry of input functions or data, a tablet conversion or notebook computer would serve better.  Although the slate tablets can attach external keyboards, the time and space required for the physical setup of the equipment does not lend itself to mobile computing.
 
 
Conclusion
 
The author’s experience with the slate tablet computer has been a positive one.  Having stated the ownership of three computers (a desktop, a lightweight notebook, and a slate tablet), the author would choose the slate over the notebook if limited to just two computers.  The ability of the slate to accept handwriting, run all of the same software  applications as the notebook, engage in desktop sessions with the stand and external keyboard, and its compact dimensions for transporting make it the choice over the notebook.  It should be mentioned that the author is relatively open-minded to learn how to utilize unconventional hardware and software.  Those without this attribute may want to hedge their risk of dissatisfaction with a conversion tablet should they desire some of the tablet PC benefits explained.
 
The benefits of the tablet computer are significant for instructors.  The ability to sketch diagrams of concepts, quickly take handwritten notes, and annotate Microsoft Office documents while students observe on a projected screen add a multimedia dimension not easily emulated by notebook or desktop computers.  For those, like the author, who are searching for a method of converting handwriting to text, today’s tablet computer and its associated software is not the ultimate resolution.
 
 
References
 
Blickenstorfer, Conrad H. (2004) Motion M1400. Pen Computing, Volume 11, Issue 52, p.68
 
Johnson, Brian (2003). Insider’s guide to Microsoft Office OneNote 2003, Microsoft Press eBook,
 
Pencomputing,com (n.a.) (January 2002) Tablet Taxonomy Special Report: WebPads. [WWW document] URL http://pencomputing.com/frames/textblock_webpads_taxonomy.html
 
Walker, Geoff  (November 2004). The Tablet PC. [WWW document] URL http://pencomputing.com/frames/tablet_pc.html