Surface Pro as a Classroom Teaching PC

[hyb80]

Had a thought this morning about the Surface Pro, I have recently got my hands on one with a stylus and been thinking about how might this be utilized in the classroom, possibly as a replacement for a teaching pc.

 

Thought process behind this is to explore alternative IWB options and "possibly" replace a need for an expensive IWB

 

Cast screen using Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories via hdmi loom if you have one or a hdmi to vga adapter.

 

All just a brainstorm at present, appreciate there are a few caveats to this idea but didnt know if anyone had tried something similar??

[harriuk]

Yes my thoughts too. It also works great in conjunction with Office 365 as a student can be working on a piece of work and the teacher can view what they are doing on the board in almost realtime (some sync lagging). The teacher can then get the students to discuss the first student's answers and make any corrections on the fly, which updates on the first students work on their screen. Peer assessment and marking all at the same time!!!

[X-13]

Cast screen using Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories via hdmi loom if you have one or a hdmi to vga adapter.

 

Aha, this is the thing I've been looking for.

 

Now to see whether a tablet would actually be fine to run some of the more bloated software we use... Or if it's possible to use a dumb-tablet as a portable touchscreen for a full desktop.

[hyb80]

Ordered one yesterday so will see what it is like. Im looking at this as a possibility to move away from smartboard style software and use built in tools in MS Office. Currently undecided on whether is this could be a replacement for staff pc or act as an additional tool.

[sted]

just be aware as i §have a surface pro and have deemed this using mine and another miracast/widi adapter (and tried on my tv at home that has miracast built in that the wireless image is not always in sync and there can be small to significant lag between the displays. Also the battery life in the real world isn't that good on a surface pro i suspect if i was sing it as a teaching machine it would be flat by midday . But is one way around needing a large interactive screen just stick a big telly on the wall (or projector and dumb screen and pass the tablet round Edited April 24, 2015 by sted

[crc-ict]

my tv at home that has maracas built in

 

That's gotta be one annoying TV! Would add to the ambiance when watching Spanish-based programmes I suppose

[sted]

That's gotta be one annoying TV! Would add to the ambiance when watching Spanish-based programmes I suppose

damn u spell-check

[wedemire]

We have been using Lenovo Thinkpad X series convertible laptops for a few (4) years and will be moving to Thinkpad Yogas this year. We also have a bunch of Lenovo Helixes. All of our classrooms have Miracast Wireless Display adapters connected to projectors. The (WiDi) technology has gotten so much better with Windows 8.1

I've given some Surface Pros to various staff to test out but the keyboard isn't great, the pen is easy to lose and they only have one USB port (why do people still use memory sticks?).

Not all of our staff are willing to learn this technology but those that have taken the time are really into it. One Note plus a digitizer is amazing in the classroom. Our primary teachers love it for spelling and filling in worksheets. Our high school Math and Science teachers couldn't live without it.

There is a common problem we've experienced. If you connect to the Wireless Display Adapter and don't disconnect but shutdown/hibernate it still thinks someone is connected and won't let anyone else connect. The device then had to be power cycled. There are a lot of times where our staff give up and just use a cable.

A second problem we have is when we use this in a classroom with an IWB as Wireless Display isn't so great when you have to plug in a USB cable every time you want students to use the board.