Hrepic, Zollman AAPT Winter 2009 Invited

Using Tablet PCs for Interactive Learning in Physics Courses for Preservice Teachers

Zdeslav Hrepic, Fort Hays State University

Dean Zollman, Kansas State University

Tablet PCs have been used in inquiry-based physical science courses which target preservice elementary and secondary teachers. Uses of the Tablet PCs included collaborative tools which offer new ways of having peers interact in any size class, video data analysis, and a variety of systems for feedback during class. We have experimented with uses of the Tablet PCs in learning environments ranging from small groups to small classes to large interactive classes. In one of the courses, student learning i was closely monitored before and after the introduction of the technology. We will present examples our use of the Tablet PCs as well as comparisons of learning gains obtained when pen-based computing technology was not used with those obtained during deployment of this technology.

*This work is supported in part by a Hewlett-Packard Technology for Teaching Grant and by NSF grants DUE-0311042 and DUE-0088818