The alliance will offer engineering students hardware and software purchasing power and support, and will also provide students, faculty, and staff with training and assistance throughout the development and implementation of new models of teaching and learning.
Fujitsu says its ‘LifeBook T4000’ tablet PC combines the convenience of a notebook with the functionality of a slate tablet PC. It has a keyboard as well as a screen which rotates and folds into a tablet configuration. Using a stylus, students can make handwritten notes and drawings in a similar way to using pen and paper.
We selected the Fujitsu LifeBook T4000 Series convertible Tablet PC based on its reliability and flexibility, as well as the company’s ability to support learning experiences in or outside of the classroom, said Glenda Scales, associate dean for computing and distance learning, College of Engineering at Virginia Tech.
In the first year engineering courses, students will use the tablet PCs to literally sketch designs on their computers instead of using a mouse that links to drop down menus. Additionally, students will create an electronic lab book where they will have the flexibility to include handwritten notes as well as collaborate with each other electronically.
Faculty will use applications such as Microsoft Office ‘OneNote’, ‘Classroom Presenter’, and ‘SketchUp’ in support of the first year curriculum changes.
Virginia Tech says it is the first public college of engineering to acquire tablet PCs for its engineering freshmen.
