![\"Wacom](\"http:\/\/blogs.plymouth.ac.uk\/digital-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2020\/06\/stylus-1199899_1280-300x225.jpg\")
There are several challenges to teaching online, and one of the most obvious to those who normally teach in the classroom or studio is how to replicate the use of blackboard or whiteboard online.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
There are several challenges to teaching online, and one of the most obvious to those who normally teach in the classroom or studio is how to replicate the use of blackboard or whiteboard online.<\/p>\n
For some this will be writing, for instance maths or chemistry equations, for others it is drawing;\u00a0 either diagrams\/graphs or something more creative.<\/p>\n
Today, we are going to look at the three main types of interactive tools which can be used to easily write or draw online in your presentations.\u00a0 You will quickly see that there is no ‘one-fit’ answer which works for everyone.\u00a0 It really depends on exactly what you want to do, what tools you feel most comfortable using and of course, the depth of your pocket.<\/p>\n
Next week, my colleague Adam Harvey will take a more in-depth look at working with visualisers, including some demo videos he has made with them.<\/p>\n
![\"Graphics](\"http:\/\/blogs.plymouth.ac.uk\/digital-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2020\/06\/graphics-tablet-1964816_640-300x219.jpg\")
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The main provider of these is Wacom, who produce a range of tablets, from around A6 up to A3 in size, with the most advance including a monitor within the tablet to allow you to actually write directly onto the screen.\u00a0 Prices vary from around \u00a350.00 to upward of \u00a33,000.00<\/p>\n
These will connect directly via USB to either PC or Mac and can use computer software such as Autodesk Sketchbook<\/a> or Windows Ink Workspace<\/a> to allow you to draw or write directly onto the page.<\/p>\n Working with a Tablet will mean one extra bit of gear to have on your desk, but the drawing experience is relatively pleasant.\u00a0 The more expensive version offers more sensitivity in the stylus, with more flexibility in line width and pencil angle.<\/p>\n At the cheaper end you get a small pad and stylus, which allows you to write directly onto your screen.\u00a0 Writing with a stylus is much easier than a mouse, but it still takes some time to master.\u00a0 You can write into a window or whiteboard, or you can write over other programs, however the performance will vary a great deal with the software used.\u00a0 Generally it is easier and looks better when using sketching software rather than simply using the whiteboard in Zoom or MS Teams.<\/p>\n Examples include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Graphics Pads are the best tool for people who want to interact with software on their computer;\u00a0 to draw onto other images, create graphs or diagrams online inside other software.\u00a0 They normally work best for those who have reasonable pen control and can draw well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A visualiser is simply a modern digital version of the classic \u2018Overhead projector\u2019.\u00a0 At its most basic, it is simply a webcam on a stand, placing the camera above a desk, which allows you to capture a pen and pad, or a transparency on a light desk.<\/p>\n This will not allow you to interact with any other software nor to draw into any software, it will only provide a direct copy of whatever you write\/draw on paper\/film on your desk. It allows you to stay in the analogue world of good old pencil on paper!<\/p>\n It is however very simple to operate and is easily used by anyone who can write or draw on paper, it offers the smallest learning curve to use and is relatively cheap.\u00a0 Cheap ones are nothing more than a webcam on a stand.\u00a0 More advanced versions have lighting and allow you to zoom.<\/p>\n A visualiser can also work well for people who want to show examples of small items, which can be put on the table under the camera.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Examples include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Visualisers are best for those who are used to working on paper and feel comfortable doing this.\u00a0 They are good for anyone who struggles with technology; they are simple to set up and use.\u00a0 They don\u2019t integrate with other software, so simply provide another video channel with the content on it.\u00a0 Also good for sharing other small 3d items on the desk.\u00a0 Good for anyone who remembers working with \u2018Overhead projectors\u2019 with any fondness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The main advantage of working this way is simplicity.\u00a0 Everything is on one place, in your tablet computer and you can run your presentation, make your recording and write\/draw, all from the same device.<\/p>\n Having said this, this approach is arguably less versatile and is certainly much more expensive, unless it is a replacement for your normal computer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Examples include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Best for those who want to keep things simple and are happy to work from a tablet, or those who have already decided to convert to working on a tablet for all their computer needs.\u00a0 It is however expensive.<\/p>\n If at all possible, we would always recommend that you try\u00a0 out these technologies before making your decision.\u00a0 They can all work, but some are better in one way and some another.\u00a0 The trick is to find out what works best for you.<\/p>\n\n
Visualisers:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"visualiser](\"http:\/\/blogs.plymouth.ac.uk\/digital-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2020\/06\/3392083620_4b42b0e2cc_b-300x225.jpg\")
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Tablet computers with Stylus\/Pencil\u00a0 (Apple iPads, Microsoft Surfaces and others):<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"iPad\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.plymouth.ac.uk\/digital-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2020\/06\/ipad-820272_1280-300x200.jpg\")
A tablet is in effect a mobile computer with a touchscreen that allows you to write on it with a Stylus\/Pencil.\u00a0 These tend to be the most expensive option as you are also including a computer as well as an interface to support drawing\/writing. They are however a popular and good way of presenting online, as you can run the whole session directly from the tablet.<\/p>\n\n