Writing and A/V devices for Remote Classrooms
Explorations and Recommendations
Table of Contents
- 1. Personal Equipment for Writing Devices
- 2. Personal AV equipment
1 Personal Equipment for Writing Devices
A personal writing device with a stylus is very handy to simulate using the blackboard while teaching, putting together hand-written notes, etc. and drawing.
1.1 Assumption: You already have a laptop and are shopping for a writing device
The assumption is that you already have a laptop (Windows, Linux, MacOS) and are shopping for a writing device. If you wish to purchase a new laptop, then you have additional options like buying 2-in-1 (or convertible) laptop which doubles up as a laptop and a tab. Options here are Microsoft Surface Pro, HP Pavilion, Dell, Lenovo. Note: We have not yet explored these.
1.2 Summary of Alternatives and Recommendations
If you want to quickly decide what device to buy, please see Table 1. The recommended models are just the base models. You can of course buy higher end models if you're rich.
| OS | Recommended device | Specs | Approx. Price (INR) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (subject to high variability) | ||||
| Linux or | Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite | 64GB | 28K | |
| Windows | ||||
| MacOS | iPad | 128GB | 39K of iPad, | |
| higher for iPad Air and Pro | ||||
| Generic | Wacom tablet | n/a | 25K | not recommended because |
| (all OS) | lacks versatality. | |||
| See Table 3 |
1.3 Use cases
Listed in Table 2 are common use cases encountered when teaching and the need, if any of a writing device.
| No. | Use case | Device combination | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Only slides | Only laptop | Seminar class |
| 2. | Only screen share | Only laptop | Lab |
| 3. | Only writing on | Only writing device | Theory class |
| blackboard | |||
| 4. | Blackboard plus | laptop and | Programming |
| laptop screen sharing | writing device | class combined | |
| with blackboard |
1.3.1 Do I need to `connect' my laptop to the writing device?
Imagine you need to write using a stylus and also show working with code editor on your laptop. In that case, you may want make sure that both are displayed together.
1.3.2 Alternating between tab and laptop when using Microsoft Teams
If you are using Microsoft Teams, then you really do not need to connect your tab (Ipad or Android). Just run two teams sessions: one each on your laptop and the tab. Share each of the screens alternately to switch between sharing your writing tablet and sharing your laptop screen. Note: this solution has been tested only for Microsoft Teams currently.
1.4 Device properties
The following properties of the device need to be considered when deciding which one to own:
- 1. Connectivity
- Can I connect the writing device to my latop?
- 2. Compatibility
- How easily will the device talk to my laptop's Operating System?
- 3. Versatility
- Is the device smart? Can it run other apps? Can it run on its own or does it need to be tethered to a laptop?
- 4. Weight/portability
- Is is light? Can I carry it around?
- 5. Price
- How much will it pinch my pocket?
1.4.1 Summary
| Requirement | Wacom | IPAD | Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | linux, macos, | macos only | linux, windows |
| windows | |||
| Connectivity | wired | wifi | wifi |
| Versatility | no | yes | yes |
| Portability | yes | yes | yes |
| Price | approx. 25K | 39K upwards | 28K |
| (iPad 7th gen, 128GB) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 |
1.5 Exploring Laptop/Tab connectivity
1.5.1 General solutions for connecting laptop and writing device
In each entry:
Different S/W installations needed to mirror between the two devices is listed
- top row: mirroring laptop display to tab
- bottom row : mirroring tab display to laptop
| Laptop OS | Linux | MacOS | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tablet Type | Direction | |||
| Wacom | laptop->tab | driver (tested, free) | driver (tested, free) | driver (tested, free) |
| tab-> laptop | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Android | laptop->tab | chrome remote desktop | chrome remote desktop | chrome remote desktop |
| tab->laptop | scrcpy (free, tested) | scrcpy | scrcpy | |
| Letsview | ||||
| IPad | laptop->tab | ?? | Sidecar | ?? |
| tab->laptop | ?? | Sidecar (preferred) and | Letsview | |
| mirroring-360 (tested, not free) |
Note:
- mirroring-360 is NOT free. See the website for pricing.
- Here is a Youtube video on how to use chrome remote desktop.
1.5.2 Discussion
- Wacom is the cheapest solution at around 25K INR and works with all three types of OS. But the wacom tablet is tethered to the laptop with a physical usb cable so portability is restricted.
- IPAD has very good quality speakers and mic and comes with many good apps. But it is on the expensive side, starting from around 38K INR. It seems to connect only to other Mac devices.
- Android works with Ubuntu and also with Windows. The audio/video quality is reasonably good and the prices are are more attractive than that of an IPAD.
1.6 Wacom Tablet driver installation
Some of you may either already have a Wacom tablet or might still wish to purchase one. In order get the wacom tablet to work with your laptop, you will need to install piece of software — called a driver — on your laptop. Here are instructions to install the driver for Wacom DTU 1141-B.
2 Personal AV equipment
As the coming semester will be online, faculty may want to equip themselves with appropriate devices for good quality audio recording.
If you plan to use the institute's digitally equipped classroom, you will have a lapel mic available as part of the classroom's AV facility.
If you plan to do the lectures either from your home or IIIT office, then we reccmmend that you consider buying a good quality audio mic/headset.
2.1 Options
a. Headset with Mic and speakers: Logitech H390 USB Headset
b. Tabletop Gooseneck Mic: Audio-Technica ATGM1-USB
c. Lavalier (Lapel) Mic: Maono AU-400 [Need a laptop]
d. If office is quiet and money is not an issue: Samson C01U Pro USB (8K) or Blue Yeti (12K) or AT 2020USBi (13K)
- Teaching from Home
- a. If room is quiet, same recommendation as Office b. If not, Headset or Tabletop depending of preference.