PRE-WORKSHOP
Digital Ink Technology in Medical Education
Barry Timms; Suzanne Stensaas; Heidi Nickisch Duggan,
University of South Dakota School and University of Utah Schools of Medicine
ABSTRACT:
A decade ago, the
Apple Newton was marketed as handheld device with handwriting recognition. A
few years later, pen-based data input, using Graffiti technology, was a feature
of Palm Pilots and other similar Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s). As these
devices became more popular, the concept of handwriting recognition was
re-introduced in PDA’s using the Windows CE operating system (Pocket PC’s). The
latest Microsoft operating system ñ Windows XP Tablet PC ñ has opened new
avenues for some novel applications that can be used to assist with teaching
basic science medical education. Digital ink technology, the ability to write
directly on the computer screen, promises to provide a versatile computing
experience beyond the level of handwriting recognition.
Interestingly, these
new slate, or laptop computers, offer a timely
opportunity to use pen-based input as an effective way to supplement standard
teaching practices. First, the screens are comparable in size and resolution to
small laptops; second, the most widely used Microsoft applications, such as
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote, are integrated with the pen-based
screen input. However, one of the more powerful applications is Windows Journal
ñ a digital writing pad. Documents produced in Word and PowerPoint, for example
can be printed to Windows Journal and annotated with text and drawings directly
on the screen. These documents can be saved and distributed to students after
lectures and read on a desktop PC using the Windows Journal Viewer. These
documents can also be saved as web archive files and read using a browser.
Tablet PC Windows Journal has built in drawing tools that significantly enhance
the ability to color anatomical diagrams and emphasize key learning concepts.
An additional feature is the ability to zoom in on photographic detail without
loss of resolution and to flag important information. Existing PowerPoint
presentation can be readily printed in Journal format and used in the classroom
setting. The authors have used these devices for about one year in the
classroom and have received favorable feedback from students.
BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:
This session will
provide participants with practical examples of how the Tablet PC and digital
ink technology can facilitate the teaching of medical curriculum material. Lecture
material formatted in a variety of Tablet PC formats will be presented to
illustrate this unique teaching medium.
Barry G. Timms
Division of Basic
Biomedical Sciences
University of South
Dakota School of Medicine
414 East Clark St,
Vermillion SD 57069
Phone: 605-677-5144
Fax: 605-677-5360
Email: btimms@usd.edu
CO-AUTHORS:
Heidi Nickisch Duggan
Lommen Health
Sciences Library
University of South
Dakota
414 East Clark
Street,
Vermillion SD 57069
Suzanne Stensaas
Eccles Health Science
Library
University of Utah
10 North 1900 East
Salt Lake City, Utah
84112-0589
Phone: 605-677-5121
801-585-1281