Tablets Versus Computers

In all fairness to the beloved PC or Mac, which have been serving us since the 1980s in all of our personal computing needs, the explosion of portable computing devices, and particularly of tablet computers in the past two to three years, may be signaling the end of the PC era. You may ask, however, can a tablet really do the job for someone who has to meet the demands of an online education program?  Here is a look at the needs of the average online learner and the three main platforms available, the iPad, Android tablets, and the Windows Surface RT and Surface Pro. Followed by an assessment of whether any or all of them can do the job as the primary computing device for an online student.

What the Average E-Learner Needs?

The disclaimer here is that every online program is different and all will have their own technology requirements, so check with your institution’s IT staff before jettisoning your existing laptop or desktop in favor of a sleek new tablet.  That said here are some of the basic tech requirements for an online degree program from a representative institution, Presley University.

What Tablet Computers Provide

For the sake of convenience, below are the technical requirements stated into a table that includes each category and an indication of which tablets are capable of meeting each standard. Because there is not always a direct equivalency between PC components and those of a tablet, it will help take an educated decision regarding whether the tablet approximates the listed requirement. Basically, in my assessment, I evaluate whether a tablet can do what the technical specification indicates that a computer needs to do. I have consulted the manufacturer’s specifications whenever possible. 

 

Tablet or No Tablet?

So where does all this leave the innovative online student who wants to make the leap to a tablet only e-learning experience? On the brink of ditching their PC, that’s where. With the release of Surface Pro running Windows 8 and having the ability to run all previous Windows software, the issue will become moot for those willing to pay a fairly steep price. For those looking to pay a little less or dedicated to the Apple or Android platforms, there are risks involved that should be considered before making the leap. Before you decide to go tablet only for your online learning ask the following questions of your institution’s technology support people:

• Will the LMS (learning management system such as Blackboard) work on the tablet?
• Will my program require software that runs only on Windows or the Mac OS?
• Is content for classes delivered via Flash?
• What are the most common browser plugins that are needed to complete course assignments or access course content and are there mobile versions?

The answers to these questions will dictate what you decide to do. However, in almost all cases I would say that any of the three main tablet families would be sufficient to do most of an online degree program if you have access to use a Windows PC for the occasional assignment or chunk of content that can’t be done or viewed on your tablet. All of this is true as long as you are aware of the fact that you may need to do some troubleshooting and searching to find solutions and workarounds for specific issues that may arise between your device and your program.

Are you currently enrolled in an online course and trying to get by with a tablet or smart phone? Share your challenges and solutions below or on Google+ or Twitter.