Narrative Databases and aTablet–Instructional Platform
Narrative databases are databases where the content is designed tobe revealed in discreteincremental steps that are appropriate to the level of the audience.Narrative databases digitally reproduce the traditional classroom instructionthat the students arefamiliar with.
Anarrative tablet–instructional platform(NTIP)is a teaching system where the instructor utilizes a pen based tablet in conjunction with narrative databases as themain teachingtool.
The narrative examplegiven belowis constructed withMicrosoft Power Point (PPT)though any similar authoring software may be used for its construction.
Components of the NTIP
The componentsneeded for the NTIPare listed below.
* a tablet PC for instruction
* narrative databasesof the lessons
* a classroom with a projection system, preferably a wireless projection system
* online access ofdatabases andother supplemental data
* atextbook based on the databases
Methodology
The content is delivered traditionallyviathe tablet where the concepts are revealed to the students one step at a time. A newlineis introducedonly when the instructor is certainthat most of the class understands thecurrent line. The instructor may comment, annotate or provide clarification about the presentation directly on the tablet,(see the attachment for example of the line–by–line databases),the instructor can access and incorporate any software or online information, all at the tip of adigital pen.
The students have textbooks which contain a condensed form of the database. Because the textbook already contains the printed version of the databases, itreduces the task of note–takingand offers students a better chance to concentrate and comprehend the lectures in class.The students may access the line-by-linenarrativedatabaseson the internet.
This combination of the databases, tablet presentations, the textbook,andinternet access to the databaseconstitute the NTIP.
Here are two full Power Point pages in the PPT notebook.
Examples of a section from the PPT-textbook for the students
- B.
These example maybe accessed at the below URLs.
A:
B.:
Examples of line–by–line PPT slidesappear online.
A.
Examples of line–by–line PPT slides
B.
Advantages of the NTIP
Some of the advantages of the NTIP for the instructors are given here.
* The NTIP helps learners in synthesizing the knowledge.
* Once the database is constructed, it is easy to edit and polish as instructors gain experience in the classroom. In other words, the database gets better as time goes on.
* The instructor can instantly access all necessary software or internet resources with the tablet, allowing them to organize all curriculum material in one place via the tablet.
Some of the advantages of the NTIP for students are given here.
* The lessons are presented in discrete increments in accordance to their structure and the background of the students in the same manner the instructor presents the lectures in class.
* Students may access the presentations online in the same narrative style that corresponds to the lectures.
* The textbook which contains the condensed version of the database reduces the amount of in class note taking by the students.
Some of the advantages and benefits of the pen tablets for the students classrooms
* With a wireless projection system the instructor is free to move around the classroom and help the students individually while lecturing. The instructor will not be confined to the blackboard area and can act as a tutor and as a presenter simultaneously.
* The tablet enhances communications in the classroom such as sharing student’s works
* NTIP is particularly helpful for instructors who have difficulty writing on the boards or who is allergic to chalk dust and chemical.
* The tablet offers an incentive to instructors to take technology into the classroom hence introduce the technology to the students
* The pen input is one form of input methods. Other common forms of are keyboard, voice and touch input. The following are two example of present research in these areas involving pens.
A touch + pen input MS grip–sensitive multipurpose pen.
The pen dexterity is animportant skill modern age. We need offer the opportunity for the students to learn these skills. This will only happen through the instructors.