Using a USB graphics tablet to write on PowerPoint or a pdf

LTISkills@chester.ac.uk @StudySkillsUoC #MyStudySkills

Dr Shirley John, Maths Skills Adviser, University of Chester

Using a USB graphics tablet to

write on PowerPoint or a pdf

Background

Typical maths support requirements:

• Responding ad-hoc to students’ questions in a workshop

• Making up an example on the spot to explain something

• Drawing a diagram to aid explanation

• Being prepared for a range of topics a student might want to discuss

Responding flexibly to individual students’ needs is key …

… but more difficult to achieve online.

USB Wacom tablet originally supplied

for Open University tutorials in 2008:

USB XP-Pen G960 purchased for

£39.99 at the beginning of lockdown:

Both operate as an additional input

device just as a keyboard or mouse.

The technology

Writing on pdf

1. Create a Word document with

examples and blank pages

2. Save as pdf

3. Screen share the pdf

4. Use the comment features of

your pdf software to annotate

Writing on PowerPoint slides

1. Create the slides, with space for writing on

2. Share the Slide Show in full screen mode (need a second screen in Teams)

3. Use the PowerPoint tools to write on the slides

4. ‘Keep’ the annotations when

exiting Slide Show mode

5. Delete unused slides then

save in an appropriate format

Linear equation examples

(a) 𝑥 + 20 = 57

(b) 𝑥 − 9 = 4

(d)

= 6

Summary

Writing on pdf files:

• easy to screen share

• allows a range of annotations as well as handwriting e.g. highlighter, typed text

• less flexible for adding and removing pages unless you have pro software

Writing on PowerPoint files:

• better for creating a ‘bank’ of examples to draw on during a session

• PowerPoint Mix makes it easy to record videos with handwritten examples

• need to use the Slide Show in full screen mode