The Workshop on the Impact of Pen-Based Technology on Education (WIPTE) officially begins tomorrow. Of course, we had an impromptu gathering tonight.

Bob, Joan and I took the shuttle service from Indianapolis to Purdue University campus and as we waited for luggage to be unloaded, I started talking with someone who is also going to WIPTE. You're familiar with this person's work -- Rob Mancabelli from Hunterdon Central, which hosts a three day Tablet PC Academy for K-12 teachers, administrators and IT support. Rob will be delivering Thursday's keynote, "Tablet PCs: Gateway to Change."

Within a few minutes, a text message connected us with Jane Prey from Microsoft Research and we ended up meeting with Jane, Rob Reed from HP, Ed Evans from Purdue, Mark Payton formerly of Vermont Academy and now with King's Academy in Jordan, Charles Bostian from Virginia Tech, Zvi Ritz from UIUC among others, then later with Joe Tront also from Virginia Tech. What an amazing group and it's just the beginning because tomorrow is going to be a full day.

Rob Bushway is unable to attend our "From the Blogosphere" panel tomorrow. Rob, we will miss your company tomorrow and will be sure to remind people to join the community at GBM. Jim Vanides is going to web conference in. I'm looking forward to learning from attendees how they would like to see the community grow and how they can contribute.

At the same time Dad, Dave Berque from DePauw University, and Sam Kamin from UIUC will host "Increasing Learning through Feedback from Tablet PCs: What Features are Needed".

See the full schedule: Wednesday and Thursday.



What Is New in Tablet PCs and UMPCs.