Home-based Learning (HBL) has been implemented in all primary and secondary schools, junior colleges other educational institutions, as part of the Singapore Government's national circuit breaker policy.
We are here to answer some common questions educators and parents may have on HBL:
1. Which platforms can be used for online classes?
Online classes using e-conference platform
Microsoft Teams and Zoom are some of the more common e-conferencing software and a great way for teachers to connect to students. They offer group chats, screen sharing and video conferencing capabilities, thereby creating a more collaborative classroom environment. Both software are free of charge for private users and run on most operating systems and web browsers.
Recorded lessons using video recording
Educators can also prepare HBL presentation material using Microsoft Powerpoint or Keynote. Lessons may be pre-recorded using built-in screen recording on a tablet to capture online lessons, with the help of voice and annotation devices. These lessons may then be shared to students on the Student Learning Space (SLS) or other learning management systems.
Tip: Good sound and video quality can make a big difference when teaching from home. An iPad projector app, works like document projector, such as Osmo iPad Base also helps make teaching more natural and interactive.
2. What software are available for educators?
The most popular software include the Microsoft Office suite of products as well as Adobe Acrobat or any other program for annotating PDF files. These software can be used to prepare lessons and create online teaching materials for the virtual classroom.
Openboard is another free and easy-to-use web-based digital whiteboard software.
Tip: Bring your class to life by using annotation or the live drawing functionality of these software. Wacom pen input devices provide a seamless digital classroom experience by bringing the traditional blackboard online (i.e. e-conference whiteboard or annotation on documents). A quick sketch or handwritten formula will help to retain students' attention, allowing educators to direct focus and more easily explain concepts.
3. What hardware do educators need?
A PC or Mac with an internet connection covers the basic needs for creating a virtual classroom.
However, for interactive online classes, or subjects that rely heavily on graphs, formulas and visualisation, such as Mathematics, Science and Chinese, a pen tablet can be an extremely useful addition to the setup.
4. How does Wacom help with HBL?
Wacom pen input devices are easy and intuitive to use. Wacom pen input devices work similarly to traditional teaching media, combining the functionalities of blackboards and overhead and document projectors. Because of the natural hand-eye coordination new users can adapt quickly to it.
Tip: The Wacom One offers a display screen to allow educators to write directly on the screen. An alternative is the Wacom Intuos or One by Wacom, although the absence of a screen means that users will require more time to adjust handwriting and coordination.
5. How to use Wacom to teach from home?
The teacher sets up a meeting in Microsoft Team or Zoom and send out invitation to the students. Educators can conduct lessons through desktop sharing by presenting the prepare materials (e.g. Powerpoint slides). To encourage interactive classroom learning, educators can use Wacom tablets together with functionality of the following software application:
e-Conference software:
PDF Annotation and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and Excel):
6. How do I set up a Wacom tablet?
7. What are the differences between Intuos and One by Wacom?
One by Wacom has 2048 pen pressure levels and does not have ExpressKeys that allows you to set frequently used functions.
Wacom Intuos comes with 4096 pen pressure levels and ExpressKeys on the tablet, which, allow users to customise frequently-used settings, such as mouse clicks, modifiers, or navigation functions. It also comes with wireless options, using Bluetooth connectivity that allows educators to use it anywhere in a physical classroom. For example, you can annotate or highlight pointers while walk around the classroom or get students to answer questions.
One by Wacom does not come with any free software. Wacom Intuos comes with free software such as:
Wacom for Education
We have had the opportunity to equip many schools and universities with Wacom technology, helping to digitise their classrooms and lecture halls. Most of the educators typically purchase Wacom Intuos, One by Wacom and Wacom One to augment their online teaching capabilities.
Individual purchases can be made on our e-Store.
If you have a sales enquires or want to talk to one of our experts about how Wacom products can be part of a solution that meets the need of your schools or enrichment centres, please contact us at hello@persol.com.sg.
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Here are some examples of how you can use Wacom One as an educator.
Scenario 1: Create virtual classrooms using conferencing software
Use a virtual whiteboard for home-based lessons to explain mathematics formulas, write Chinese characters or draw diagrams while using e-conferencing software such as:
Here's a step-by-step video tutorial on using Wacom One for virtual whiteboard and annotation. This can be applied to One by Wacom and Wacom Small.
We are here to help
In the past weeks, we have received many questions around working, learning and teaching from home. We understand the transition from a using physical blackboard to a virtual whiteboard.
For any product enquires or purchases above $1,000, please email us at hello@persol.com.sg. We promise to get back within 1-3 working days.
For Individual Purchases
Kindly purchase from our online store at e-Store. Delivery will be within 3-9 working days subjected to delay due to circuit breaker.
Related links:
FAQs: How to use Wacom for online classroom and remote teaching
]]>You can now create with your Wacom Intuos and One Wacom whenever and wherever using your Android Smart Device.
Wacom Intuos for Android
Here are 3 Steps for Connecting your Wacom Intuos tablet to an Android Device.
Step 1: Check to make sure your Android device (smartphone, tablet) is compatible.
Available devices:
* USB Connectivity must be changed within your Android settings
** Cursor changes to a Dot
Step 2: Find a compatible USB OTG connector
In order to connect your Wacom Intuos with your Android device, you need a special adapter called a USB OTG connector. Here is a list of approved connectors you can purchase at an online retailer:
Step 3: Upgrade the Firmware on your device
Connect your pen tablet to your computer and update your firmware on your Wacom Intuos through your Wacom Desktop Center software.
We recommended the following Android creative programs to use with Wacom Intuos pen tablets:
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Wacom One for Android
Here are 3 Steps for Connecting your Wacom One to an Android Device.
Step 1: Check to make sure your Android device (smartphone, tablet) is compatible.
Available devices:
* Select device does not support Autodesk Sketchbook version 5.1.5
** Force full screen required for Bamboo Paper and MediBang paint
Step 2: Find a compatible Android adaptor
In order to connect your Wacom One with your Android device, you need a special adapter. Here is a list of approved connectors you can purchase at an online retailer:
Step 3: Upgrade the Firmware on your device
Connect your pen tablet to your computer and update your firmware on your Wacom Intuos through your Wacom Desktop Center software.
We recommended the following Android creative programs to use with Wacom Intuos pen tablets:
Wacom designs its tablet accessories for compatibility with the models they accompany. Find our which of the Wacom Accessories are compatible with your Wacom Pen Tablets or Pen Display in the Accessories Matrix Chart below.
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