Interwrite Schoolpad or ?

[Scott Just]

I am looking to get some sort of tablet/ pad for use during instruction and student use, not a tablet PC I am planning on using in conjunction with a Smartboard or Wii board.

I saw a number of them at PowerUp at Oakland Schools a couple of weeks ago but they have kind of blended together. I am looking an Interwrite Schoolpad, does anyone have any of suggestions from firsthand use? I have grant money that is in need of being spent =)

I would be using it with Mac OS.

[Michele Thomas]

The Smartboard has a note pad you can use during presentations It is part of their software bundle. Also you could use AlphaSmarts in which students can take notes on the AlphaSmart and upload them into a Word document.

[Lawrence Bruce]

There are a few of us (three) that are using Interwrite tablets in our classrooms with MacBooks. Personally, I really like the mobility that it offers. I have nothing negative to say about it except that it takes time to develop the dexterity to use it proficiently (something that has deterred`some from using theirs).

The software accompanying the tablet is great, but I haven't been able to spend much time with it yet. I intend to try creating some lessons with it over summer. You can download the software for free from their web site (last I knew anyway) to try it out. You don't need the tablet to operate the InterWrite Workspace.

I hope this helps.

[Lisa Overton]

Scott, I use the Interwrite SchoolPad and love it! I don't, however, have a SmartBoard, so we just use our projector screen. It's durable (we've dropped ours several times) and the kids love to get their hands on it! We've used it a lot in math and writing, and have used some of the lessons downloaded from the Interwrite site.

Lisa

[Patty Ellick]

After researching options for our elementary school, we purchased an InterWrite Pad for our computer lab and a combination of InterWrite Pads and "clickers" for some of our classrooms. We do not have any Smartboards and we decided the InterWrite Pads would be great to use with our projection units. I hate to say it, but I haven't yet had the chance to try them out because this will be our first year with them. What I'd seen of the Smartboards and InterWrite Pads last year, I am excited to get started with them. The company we went with is
http://www.interwritelearning.com/products/pad/detail.html.
Good Luck
Patty