Tablet for University

[SirDeadly]

I have just started university and am studying to become a teacher. I was thinking about getting a Sumsung Galaxy Tab to use in my seminars to take notes. In my first week I have already missed information from having to write and looking down.

Would buying a tablet actually be worth the cost? I do have a laptop but it's old and slow and therefore terrible to use in class. I also have a good desktop computer to use at home.

If you use a tablet a university or college do you find it easier than pen and paper? What are your thoughts?

 

[Tigger1992]

It depends on the way you take notes and the way your classes are structured. I take a lot of engineering and math classes so my notes involve a lot of numbers, symbols, and diagrams. Thus, I use notebooks since typing out the symbols on the computer would take too much time. However, if I had classes that require me to write down a lot of words, I would consider using my mini-laptop which I purchased for University (a Lenovo X120e in case you were wondering) since I can type faster than I write by hand.

I view tablets as more of a notebook replacement since all of your notes can be stored in a single device and can be easily sent between other electronic devices. However, if you get a tablet you have to worry about whether you have enough charge to last for you entire day. While this may seem like no big deal you may find yourself very restricted in your day jumping from plug-in to plug-in. Plus, if you are missing content from looking at your page while you write, writing on a tablet may not change that very much.

I would recommend sticking to pen and paper since it is very simple to add in side notes, draw pictures, and write out weird symbols without having to worry about battery life. However, if you type faster than you write then perhaps you should getting a device with a tactile keyboard that is small and has a long battery life (you could also get a convertible if you really want a touch screen). This is great for carrying around and you should be able to type out your notes no problem (if you feel that is effective for you).

Personally I take all of my notes in notebooks but I carry my mini-laptop with me as well. This is great since all of my classes post online content and some assignments are posted (and sometimes handed in) online.

Regardless, you should evaluate what your learning style is and adapt your note taking tools around that. Hope this helped!

 

[SirDeadly]

snip

Thanks for the feedback. The battery life shouldn't be a problem for me as my classes are two hours long at max and I only have one a day. I think I'll give it a few weeks before making any decisions and see how I go with the notes. If I need to I can also buy a keyboard for the tablet.

 

[requisitename]

I tried using a tablet in my classes, but I found it extremely distracting. I take notes the old-fashioned way because actually writing things makes it stick in my mind better than typing it does.. and trying to get a tablet to recognize my handwriting was a losing proposition. Heh.

If you're going to get a tablet, I'd strongly suggest you not install ANY "fun" apps on it. No matter how good a person thinks their self-control is, when you're halfway through a boring as crap lecture, they're incredibly inviting. "Just for a second!" I never had this problem myself because I didn't install them, but most of my classmates who do have had problems at one time or another with going off Facebooking or playing Angry Birds or whatnot instead of paying attention.

 

[JesterRaiin]

I was thinking about getting a Sumsung Galaxy Tab to use in my seminars to take notes.

I find tablets very useful in the process of learning/studying. I cant provide any useful input beside this :
consider buying Asus Transformer Prime/Slider instead of Samsung, or invest into additional keyboard for galaxy.

 

[bluepilot]

I find tablets really hard to type on. It takes me twice as long as a normal keyboard. The keys are too small and typing on the glass like surface numbs the tips of my fingers.

I think you should stick to pen and paper and maybe look into taking short-hand classes so you can improve your note taking skills. If you have an old computer I think you should just go out and buy a new one instead of the tablet.

I have a class done with tablet....the ability to annotate, the ability to annotate, my kingdom and horse for the ability to annotate.

I spiced up my note taking with 24 colored markers, he he he, tablets do not have neon rainbow colours.