A low-priced Tablet PC with limited function could serve as a very important tool in learning. Imagine a student consilidating all of his or her textbooks into a single unit, instead of lugging around big books which they don't really want to read. When the unit powers on, it brings up a menu program with a list of textbooks to access. The texbooks would be sold on cd rom or dvd, and implanted into the menu as modules. Also accessible would be a standard, engrained word processor and a virtual notebook, organized by subject. Other software modules might include games, and a graphing calculator for advanced math students.
Hardware would include a hard drive of ample size, USB ports for printers and mice, or perhaps even a scanner. Of course the writing and pointing would be accomplished with a stylus. No internet access will be included, because it would ditract the students with MP3's, pornography, and chat. They can buy their own computer for that stuff.
Advantages to the digital format are text searches, "writing on the page", less materials in class, and graphical animations.
I think that is the solution to an advanced education. Those textbooks we currently have are too expensive, overwhelming, and too hard to carry around.
So, industry leaders, please make the tablet pc available to everyone in a learning environment.
Christopher Griswold
Racine, WI
snarfix@sbcglobal.net
xirans********.com
icq: 21047538 - snarfix
snarfix.bravehost.com

You are absolutely on target. As a matter of fact, there is a lot of
information in the education area here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/t...n/default.mspx
You might be interested in checking out the case studies in the field at the
URL above, too.

As for ports for printers, the easiest usage would be wireless networked and
sharing a printer or printers. On a school LAN or even classroom LAN, such
programs as OneNote and GoBinder can be used in a shared mode to allow the
educator to directly interface with the students on their own screen.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone


"snarfix christopehr griswold" <snarfix christopehr
griswold@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2524CF50-7ACD-4D71-9975-C7717D2CE52E@microsoft.com...
>A low-priced Tablet PC with limited function could serve as a very
>important tool in learning. Imagine a student consilidating all of his or
>her textbooks into a single unit, instead of lugging around big books which
>they don't really want to read. When the unit powers on, it brings up a
>menu program with a list of textbooks to access. The texbooks would be sold
>on cd rom or dvd, and implanted into the menu as modules. Also accessible
>would be a standard, engrained word processor and a virtual notebook,
>organized by subject. Other software modules might include games, and a
>graphing calculator for advanced math students.
> Hardware would include a hard drive of ample size, USB ports for printers
> and mice, or perhaps even a scanner. Of course the writing and pointing
> would be accomplished with a stylus. No internet access will be included,
> because it would ditract the students with MP3's, pornography, and chat.
> They can buy their own computer for that stuff.
> Advantages to the digital format are text searches, "writing on the page",
> less materials in class, and graphical animations.
> I think that is the solution to an advanced education. Those textbooks we
> currently have are too expensive, overwhelming, and too hard to carry
> around.
> So, industry leaders, please make the tablet pc available to everyone in a
> learning environment.
> Christopher Griswold
> Racine, WI
> snarfix@sbcglobal.net
> xirans********.com
> icq: 21047538 - snarfix
> snarfix.bravehost.com
>

Though reasonable excuses for not having wireless, most of what you
mentioned can be addressed with self control.

One of the benefits of a formalized education system is the ability to
exchange ideas with others. Having the ability to use chats or forums to
discuss and debate with others about what has been discussed in class is a
real bonus.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://www.mvps.org/visio/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://www.mvps.org/visio/VBA.htm
Common Visio Questions http://www.mvps.org/visio/common_questions.htm
"snarfix christopehr griswold" <snarfix christopehr
griswold@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2524CF50-7ACD-4D71-9975-C7717D2CE52E@microsoft.com...
> A low-priced Tablet PC with limited function could serve as a very
important tool in learning. Imagine a student consilidating all of his or
her textbooks into a single unit, instead of lugging around big books which
they don't really want to read. When the unit powers on, it brings up a menu
program with a list of textbooks to access. The texbooks would be sold on cd
rom or dvd, and implanted into the menu as modules. Also accessible would be
a standard, engrained word processor and a virtual notebook, organized by
subject. Other software modules might include games, and a graphing
calculator for advanced math students.
> Hardware would include a hard drive of ample size, USB ports for printers
and mice, or perhaps even a scanner. Of course the writing and pointing
would be accomplished with a stylus. No internet access will be included,
because it would ditract the students with MP3's, pornography, and chat.
They can buy their own computer for that stuff.
> Advantages to the digital format are text searches, "writing on the page",
less materials in class, and graphical animations.
> I think that is the solution to an advanced education. Those textbooks we
currently have are too expensive, overwhelming, and too hard to carry
around.
> So, industry leaders, please make the tablet pc available to everyone in a
learning environment.
> Christopher Griswold
> Racine, WI
> snarfix@sbcglobal.net
> xirans********.com
> icq: 21047538 - snarfix
> snarfix.bravehost.com
>

I find it very strange that the two of you chose to concentrate on the lack of internet connectivity in the device. It was just something I threw in to make the price of the unit drop. I know that not all internet usage is bad, but I don't think it should be used while in class. I think it should be utilized in a lab specifically set up for that or in a residence if the University student has a computer, allthough, I don't think they should have to have two computers, so maybe a wireless network card could be integrated into the device, like the first man said, for connecting to high speed internet access. Yes, we can do without these open-access e-mail labs.
I'm also thinking of other ways to drop the price of the unit. I'd say copy the video gaming industry and sell licenses to textbook manufactures. Computers will never be properly integrated into the learning environment, unless there is a cheap device. Don't think of this unit as a fully functional Personal Computer. The main consideration is cost. The current textbook is too daunting to look at in full. I'm 24. I've been through education, beginning in 1986. I am also a schizophrenic. The rules have to change.

"Cheryl Wise" wrote:

> I don't want to go ts your ideal school. E books are okay but I still prefer
> paper in most cases.
>
> University of Houston has experienced a 10% increase in student
> comprehension in science labs because the instructor walks around the
> classroom with his tablet writing notes he makes where students are having
> trouble wirelessly to the overhead projector. The session is the saved and
> the students can download it to seven the slides with the instructors
> clarification notes and audio of his lecture and additional explanation
> included.
>
> Not all internet use is bad.
>
> --
> Cheryl D. Wise
> MS-MVP-FrontPage
> http://mvp.wiserways.com
>
>
> "snarfix christopehr griswold" <snarfix christopehr
> griswold@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:2524CF50-7ACD-4D71-9975-C7717D2CE52E@microsoft.com...
>

I would think the lack of internet connectivity is a false economy. I've
seen Tablets used very effectively in grade-school classroom situations in
the UK where class notes are posted to a school intranet/extranet.

See for example:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/ictinschools/....cfm?partid=83
or http://www.rm.com/Primary/CaseStudie...?cref=CS112585

"snarfix" <snarfix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C590A830-F7E1-4972-AC14-5FC6D0B42ED2@microsoft.com...
>I find it very strange that the two of you chose to concentrate on the lack
>of internet connectivity in the device. It was just something I threw in to
>make the price of the unit drop. I know that not all internet usage is bad,
>but I don't think it should be used while in class. I think it should be
>utilized in a lab specifically set up for that or in a residence if the
>University student has a computer, allthough, I don't think they should
>have to have two computers, so maybe a wireless network card could be
>integrated into the device, like the first man said, for connecting to high
>speed internet access. Yes, we can do without these open-access e-mail
>labs.
> I'm also thinking of other ways to drop the price of the unit. I'd say
> copy the video gaming industry and sell licenses to textbook manufactures.
> Computers will never be properly integrated into the learning environment,
> unless there is a cheap device. Don't think of this unit as a fully
> functional Personal Computer. The main consideration is cost. The current
> textbook is too daunting to look at in full. I'm 24. I've been through
> education, beginning in 1986. I am also a schizophrenic. The rules have to
> change.
>
> "Cheryl Wise" wrote:
>
>> I don't want to go ts your ideal school. E books are okay but I still
>> prefer
>> paper in most cases.
>>
>> University of Houston has experienced a 10% increase in student
>> comprehension in science labs because the instructor walks around the
>> classroom with his tablet writing notes he makes where students are
>> having
>> trouble wirelessly to the overhead projector. The session is the saved
>> and
>> the students can download it to seven the slides with the instructors
>> clarification notes and audio of his lecture and additional explanation
>> included.
>>
>> Not all internet use is bad.
>>
>> --
>> Cheryl D. Wise
>> MS-MVP-FrontPage
>> http://mvp.wiserways.com
>>
>>
>> "snarfix christopehr griswold" <snarfix christopehr
>> griswold@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:2524CF50-7ACD-4D71-9975-C7717D2CE52E@microsoft.com...
>>
>

No, my first comment is that I don't like reading books the computer screen
all that much. I also gave you what I consider the best use of a tablet in a
classroom for interaction with the students where they could benefit the
most. As I mentioned there was a 10% increase in student comprehension after
tablets were introduced in the classroom.

--
Cheryl D. Wise
MS-MVP-FrontPage
http://mvp.wiserways.com


"snarfix" <snarfix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C590A830-F7E1-4972-AC14-5FC6D0B42ED2@microsoft.com...
>I find it very strange that the two of you chose to concentrate on the lack
>of internet connectivity in the device. It was just something I threw in to
>make the price of the unit drop. I know that not all internet usage is bad,
>but I don't think it should be used while in class. I think it should be
>utilized in a lab specifically set up for that or in a residence if the
>University student has a computer, allthough, I don't think they should
>have to have two computers, so maybe a wireless network card could be
>integrated into the device, like the first man said, for connecting to high
>speed internet access. Yes, we can do without these open-access e-mail
>labs.
> I'm also thinking of other ways to drop the price of the unit. I'd say
> copy the video gaming industry and sell licenses to textbook manufactures.
> Computers will never be properly integrated into the learning environment,
> unless there is a cheap device. Don't think of this unit as a fully
> functional Personal Computer. The main consideration is cost. The current
> textbook is too daunting to look at in full. I'm 24. I've been through
> education, beginning in 1986. I am also a schizophrenic. The rules have to
> change.
>
> "Cheryl Wise" wrote:
>
>> I don't want to go ts your ideal school. E books are okay but I still
>> prefer
>> paper in most cases.
>>
>> University of Houston has experienced a 10% increase in student
>> comprehension in science labs because the instructor walks around the
>> classroom with his tablet writing notes he makes where students are
>> having
>> trouble wirelessly to the overhead projector. The session is the saved
>> and
>> the students can download it to seven the slides with the instructors
>> clarification notes and audio of his lecture and additional explanation
>> included.
>>
>> Not all internet use is bad.
>>
>> --
>> Cheryl D. Wise
>> MS-MVP-FrontPage
>> http://mvp.wiserways.com
>>
>>
>> "snarfix christopehr griswold" <snarfix christopehr
>> griswold@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:2524CF50-7ACD-4D71-9975-C7717D2CE52E@microsoft.com...
>>
>

I agree with the general concept, it was the limiting of communication I
questioned. The actual cost of the wireless cards is such that it would not
significantly alter the price, but it would limit the experience.

The big challenge will be to convince the publishers of those fifty pound
text books to produce electronic versions.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://www.mvps.org/visio/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://www.mvps.org/visio/VBA.htm
Common Visio Questions http://www.mvps.org/visio/common_questions.htm

I agree now, that connectivity is important. I was in the beginning stages of formulating the initial concept when I wrote the previous message. Thank you all for your valuable input. It was about a five minute venture on my part. I was keen on it. Wireless LAN... perfect idea. I know about the notes online thing... that's a rather old concept, at least in Wisconsin, where I live. The notes could also be available on a university's intranet, as teachers often put them in their directories. But I suppose wireless internet access would also be a good idea too. My main concern is that the student has some kind of tablet device. A student shouldn't have to purchase a large desktop worth 1000-2000 dollars with all the latest technology, unless they can afford it. Only game plyers and graphics people really need those speedy chips anyway.

Durability is key for younger people. Like that other guy said, little kids tend to drop things... I think this program would start out at specific universities, maybe private primary schools with rich kids. If Texas wants to maintain its formal education status quo, that's fine. I don't live there, and I wouldn't force a state to be technologically advanced.

The autistic kids would eat it up. My mom used to teach them and they loved to spend a lot of time in front of the computers. I think all modern students would like this idea. COmputers are a growing part of our lives, might as well get them into the real world learning environment.

Shared printer... with wireless access to it.. Also a very good idea. THe most of expensive thing about a computer are ink jet cartridges. I shell out 30 dollars a piece for my two inkjet cartridges in this printer. That's outrageous.

I think that if someone, a certain person, actually, wants to participate in philantropy, he should offer low-priced Tablet PC's to education programs in the USA. (this is my 4th of July gift to the greatest nation in the world.) It's like half-philantropy, but it's worth it. If he gives out the returns, he'll get the rewards, plus profit.

"snarfix christopehr griswold" wrote:

> A low-priced Tablet PC with limited function could serve as a very important tool in learning. Imagine a student consilidating all of his or her textbooks into a single unit, instead of lugging around big books which they don't really want to read. When the unit powers on, it brings up a menu program with a list of textbooks to access. The texbooks would be sold on cd rom or dvd, and implanted into the menu as modules. Also accessible would be a standard, engrained word processor and a virtual notebook, organized by subject. Other software modules might include games, and a graphing calculator for advanced math students.
> Hardware would include a hard drive of ample size, USB ports for printers and mice, or perhaps even a scanner. Of course the writing and pointing would be accomplished with a stylus. No internet access will be included, because it would ditract the students with MP3's, pornography, and chat. They can buy their own computer for that stuff.
> Advantages to the digital format are text searches, "writing on the page", less materials in class, and graphical animations.
> I think that is the solution to an advanced education. Those textbooks we currently have are too expensive, overwhelming, and too hard to carry around.
> So, industry leaders, please make the tablet pc available to everyone in a learning environment.
> Christopher Griswold
> Racine, WI
> snarfix@sbcglobal.net
> xirans********.com
> icq: 21047538 - snarfix
> snarfix.bravehost.com
>

You can initiate your project ideas here:
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/citizenship/giving/ There is information on
the program overall, application process and means of contacting the right
people.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone


"snarfix" <snarfix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:7650B3DB-96BE-45C8-8F49-B63CE928C725@microsoft.com...
>I agree now, that connectivity is important. I was in the beginning stages
>of formulating the initial concept when I wrote the previous message. Thank
>you all for your valuable input. It was about a five minute venture on my
>part. I was keen on it. Wireless LAN... perfect idea. I know about the
>notes online thing... that's a rather old concept, at least in Wisconsin,
>where I live. The notes could also be available on a university's intranet,
>as teachers often put them in their directories. But I suppose wireless
>internet access would also be a good idea too. My main concern is that the
>student has some kind of tablet device. A student shouldn't have to
>purchase a large desktop worth 1000-2000 dollars with all the latest
>technology, unless they can afford it. Only game plyers and graphics people
>really need those speedy chips anyway.
>
> Durability is key for younger people. Like that other guy said, little
> kids tend to drop things... I think this program would start out at
> specific universities, maybe private primary schools with rich kids. If
> Texas wants to maintain its formal education status quo, that's fine. I
> don't live there, and I wouldn't force a state to be technologically
> advanced.
>
> The autistic kids would eat it up. My mom used to teach them and they
> loved to spend a lot of time in front of the computers. I think all modern
> students would like this idea. COmputers are a growing part of our lives,
> might as well get them into the real world learning environment.
>
> Shared printer... with wireless access to it.. Also a very good idea. THe
> most of expensive thing about a computer are ink jet cartridges. I shell
> out 30 dollars a piece for my two inkjet cartridges in this printer.
> That's outrageous.
>
> I think that if someone, a certain person, actually, wants to participate
> in philantropy, he should offer low-priced Tablet PC's to education
> programs in the USA. (this is my 4th of July gift to the greatest nation
> in the world.) It's like half-philantropy, but it's worth it. If he gives
> out the returns, he'll get the rewards, plus profit.
>

In article <C590A830-F7E1-4972-AC14-5FC6D0B42ED2@microsoft.com>,
snarfix@discussions.microsoft.com says...
> Don't think of this unit as a fully functional Personal Computer.
>

Unfortunately, if you create something that is less than a 'fully
functional Personal Computer' but still does what you want it will end up
costing almost as much as a 'fully functional Personal Computer' if not
more. This is because it will be a niche market product with special
manufacturing requirements but a limited market as compared to the wide
open market of a regular PC.

Your best bet is to buy a regular PC or Tablet PC and then limit what the
students can do with it using the tools already available. If you don't
want them to be able to surf the internet during class then you don't
make the internet available on the network they will be connecting to in
the classroom. When they take their Tablet PC home or back to the dorm
then they will have the internet available there.

If you don't want them to be able to do certain things on, or to the
configuration of, their Tablet then you would use Profiles and Group
Policy Objects. Any competent Microsoft network administrator should at
least know what these are and be able to learn how to use them given
enough time.

If you really want to limit what can be done while reducing cost then
perhaps you should look into Windows CE devices. The problem is that the
software available for them is really limited.

There is no need to design and manufacture a completely new product.

Or hire some developers to create a completely custom shell for the Tablet
PC. That would be the best bet since TPC's handwriting recognition and
gesture support is far ahead of CE's.

--
Josh Einstein
Einstein Technologies
--------------------------------------------------------
Add ink input to Outlook with Tablet Enhancements for Outlook! Only $19.99!
http://www.einsteinware.com

"Grant Robertson" <BOGUS@BOGUS.com> wrote in message
news:OilmhzBZEHA.1448@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> In article <C590A830-F7E1-4972-AC14-5FC6D0B42ED2@microsoft.com>,
> snarfix@discussions.microsoft.com says...
>> Don't think of this unit as a fully functional Personal Computer.
>>
>
> Unfortunately, if you create something that is less than a 'fully
> functional Personal Computer' but still does what you want it will end up
> costing almost as much as a 'fully functional Personal Computer' if not
> more. This is because it will be a niche market product with special
> manufacturing requirements but a limited market as compared to the wide
> open market of a regular PC.
>
> Your best bet is to buy a regular PC or Tablet PC and then limit what the
> students can do with it using the tools already available. If you don't
> want them to be able to surf the internet during class then you don't
> make the internet available on the network they will be connecting to in
> the classroom. When they take their Tablet PC home or back to the dorm
> then they will have the internet available there.
>
> If you don't want them to be able to do certain things on, or to the
> configuration of, their Tablet then you would use Profiles and Group
> Policy Objects. Any competent Microsoft network administrator should at
> least know what these are and be able to learn how to use them given
> enough time.
>
> If you really want to limit what can be done while reducing cost then
> perhaps you should look into Windows CE devices. The problem is that the
> software available for them is really limited.
>
> There is no need to design and manufacture a completely new product.

> "Grant Robertson" <BOGUS@BOGUS.com> wrote in message
> news:OilmhzBZEHA.1448@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > If you really want to limit what can be done while reducing cost then
> > perhaps you should look into Windows CE devices. The problem is that the
> > software available for them is really limited.

In article <Ok4TZLDZEHA.2216@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl>,
josheinstein********.com says...
> Or hire some developers to create a completely custom shell for the Tablet
> PC. That would be the best bet since TPC's handwriting recognition and
> gesture support is far ahead of CE's.

I was kind of being facetious. That's what I meant by the 'REALLY LIMIT'
comment.