Page 49 - digitalliteracy

2.2 Other Portable Devices That Can Enhance Your Educational Experience

Given their small size, you may be able to carry a tablet with you during the day and use it
during any free time such as lunch or rest breaks, when you are waiting for meetings to begin
or to pick up your children, or sitting in the dentist’s office. It can be used to check in to your
class, respond to e-mails, conduct research, or contact your instructor or classmates with
questions.

Four basic types of tablets are available today: (a) eReaders, (b) eReader–tablet hybrids,
(c) true tablets, and (d) tablet–laptop hybrids. Table 2.2 offers descriptions of each and
outlines how you can use them for class.

Table 2.2: Tablets and their uses

Functionality Limitations for
Tablet type Description Examples for class class

eReader The simplest type of • Amazon • Purchase pri- Reading your e-text
tablet, an eReader is Kindle mary sources on this device means
designed primarily • Barnes & electronically you will not have
for reading e-books Noble Nook • Conduct access to video and
and e-magazines. research on other multimedia
the go that might be embed-
• Read assigned ded in your textbook.
e-text chapters

eReader– These tablets blend • Amazon • Access the It is difficult to type
tablet hybrid the features of Kindle Fire Internet lengthy text on the
an eReader with • Samsung • Log in to Ash- touch screen key-
more sophisticated Galaxy Tab 4 ford classes board, so this type of
features of a tablet Nook • Work on tablet is not a good
computer. In addi- assignments option for prepar-
tion to being able • Read assigned ing and submitting
to download and e-text chapters course assignments.
read digital content,
they offer a larger
screen and higher
resolution.
True tablet While still maintain- • iPad • Access the While these devices
ing a compact and • Samsung Internet offer thousands of
portable design, Galaxy Tab • Log in to Ash- software programs,
these tablets can be • Toshiba ford classes including software
as powerful as some Excite Go • Work on for school and work
personal computers assignments projects, the small
and offer extended • Read assigned screens make it dif-
battery life. e-text chapters ficult to type lengthy
documents.

Tablet– These devices are • Lenovo Yoga • Access the Some of these
laptop hybrid usually slightly larger • HP and Dell Internet devices may meet all
(or 2-in-1 than true tablets and Ultra books • Log in to Ash- Ashford University
convertible include a detachable • Asus ford classes Technology require-
computer) keyboard with raised Trans former • Work on ments*, but they are
keys, like a laptop • Microsoft assignments relatively expensive.
computer. Surface • Read assigned
e-text chapters

*Be sure to check with your enrollment advisor to review these requirements if you wish to use a tablet–laptop hybrid as your
primary computer.

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