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Take note: Cyber-blackboard helps students keep up
September 25, 1996
Web posted at: 5:00 p.m. EDTGREENCASTLE, Indiana (CNN) -- Imagine going to college and not having to take notes. Though some students already follow that practice, a new computer program makes it practical for anyone.
Professor Dave Berque at DePauw University invented a system that allows his classroom notes to be viewed and saved on computers placed throughout his classroom.
The system links the computers to an overhead projector and blackboard (actually, it's white) on which Berque writes his notes with a special electronic pen. As the professor writes -- presto! -- The words and formulas appear on the computer screens.
(10 sec./204K AIFF or WAV sound)
It basically solves an age-old student conundrum: how to pay attention and keep up with a fast-talking prof.
Berque spouted off a mathematics formula to his dazed students. "Now instead of your having to have copied that down, this appears on all your screens," he explained.
The professor said that in previous years students had difficulty keeping up with him.
The Cyber-Blackboard
23 sec./997K QuickTime movie
"I think one of the interesting things about this type of software is it only has meaning when teacher and students are in the same room together," Berque said.
Once the notes are on the computer screens, students can change the line width and color, annotate information, make additional notes and bracket things.
Students can also respond to questions through the program, and their written answers appear on the overhead. The one thing students can't do is pass electronic notes to one another, for the crafty Berque put a safeguard device to crack down on such behavior.
So far, students dig the note-taking mechanism.
"It's always tough for a student to sit and take notes and pay attention at the same time," said student Wes Huffstutter.
Classmate Aaron Davidson added, "I think within five or 10 years this is going to be a possibility within classrooms around the country. "
Correspondent Dick Wilson contributed to this report.
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