BlackBerry PlayBook in an Academic Context - My Own Use Case Study

**kill_9** · 02-25-2012, 11:33 PM

Recently, I enrolled in an online course, CS101: Building a Search Engine, which has been created by a Stanford University professor and offered through their independent learning organization. I decided to use my BlackBerry PlayBook to view the lectures and complete real-time quizzes and as the course progresses to complete assignments and probably take the final examination. In addition to the tablet I am using the Hip Street Playbook Portfolio Case with Bluetooth Keyboard and Logitech V470 Cordless Bluetooth Laser Mouse. This is an experiment to determine whether the BlackBerry PlayBook can replace a notebook computer or desktop computer in certain academic settings. I will update this discussion thread throughout the course (7 weeks).

Week 1:

The recorded lectures played smoothly in the standard web browser and completing the quizzes was aided by the mouse and keyboard for the programming practical exercises interspersed throughout the lecture.

One interesting observation during the first lecture series was - to type lowercase letters in the HTML/JavaScript/Flash (???) programming environment within the web browser it was necessary to hold down the ALT key while typing the letters; for example to type the Python command 'print 1+2' required holding down ALT while typing 'print' otherwise 'PRINT' was displayed and would be interpreted as an invalid Python command.

**FSeverino** · 02-26-2012, 12:16 AM

it would be better to do this with an iPad because iPads are so much better...
/sarcasm

**kill_9** · 02-26-2012, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by FSeverino

it would be better to do this with an iPad because iPads are so much better...
/sarcasm

Careful. I will ask SmakBerry to smack you upside the head.

Speaking of SmakBerry where has she vanished?

**FSeverino** · 02-26-2012, 12:22 AM

meanie

**Peritaxis** · 02-26-2012, 12:35 AM

They're quite handy, aren't they?

Academically, my PB has become part of my daily routine. 14 courses and 8am-5pm days.

Record lectures on Voicenotes. Type out notes on Word To Go. Browse lecture slides if available. Present school newsletter sent through via Print To Go. Access school's blackboard over wifi. Surf and kill time when bored in lecture. The only time the PlayBook isn't useful is when I'm in lab, clinic, or fallen asleep in lecture.