How did you use this product/subscription in your course?
The iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, and AirSketch Pro app helped me finally understand the utility of a tablet in large scale instruction. I have been using the AirSketch Pro app for the past two quarters, and I find it to be one of the best classroom tools I’ve used. I upload a pdf of my lecture slides—with a lot or little information on each slide—and write and draw on each slide as I proceed through the material. I like that it gives me the flexibility to move around the lecture hall as much as I want to and to deliver content. I can save the annotated lecture notes and post them online as a study guide.
In what ways do you feel the product/subscription supported student learning, if at all?
Discipline based studies on student learning in chemistry (for example see, Cuadros, J.; Yaron, D.; Leinhardt, G. 2007. One Firm Spot: The Role of Homework as Lever in Acquiring Conceptual and Performance Competence in College Chemistry. J. Chem. Educ. 84 (6): 1047–1052.) reveal that the two most significant learning activities that influenced course achievement at the college-level were self-directed study and homework. Both of these activities provide learning experiences for reflection and integration of new knowledge with the students’ existing knowledge. Providing detailed lecture slides with sketches, annotations, and notes that model how experts approach and solve difficult problems is an important strategy to aid students with self-directed study and homework.
What challenges, if any, did you encounter when using this product/subscription?
Writing and drawing with the Apple Pencil was effortless, but the stylus’ functionality wasn’t always perfect. There is a small lag between point/draw and project. The pencil’s sides are rounded and so it often rolls of the podium. Also, charging it is a hassle. The tiny cap covering the port is easy to lose and the pencil requires a separate charger that I need to carry around (the alternative is to plug it into the iPad to charge but it sticks out awkwardly and felt like it could rip the charger off).
What advice would you give to a colleague who’s interested in using this product?
I would enthusiastically encourage any Instructor to use this product. It is the simplest whiteboard app that I have used. If all you want to do is import images, sketch, annotate, and export screens…….this is a good option.
Overall, would you recommend this product/subscription to other faculty?
Yes
Note: The iPad Pro was supplied by the instructor. The eTech Mini Grant was used to purchase the iPad accessories and app.