Frequently Asked Question

Wacom tablets are great tools for writing, drawing, note taking, and illustration. There are many types and sizes of tablet. However, the basic functionality is the same across all types of tablets. The idea is that the surface of the tablet maps (by pixel) to the display(s) that is (are) used by the computer to which the tablet is connected. The pen that is associated with the tablet acts as a sort of precision pointing device (think pen-shaped mouse). Finally, the connection of the tip of the pen with the surface of the tablet provides the ability to plot/draw/write/select point, lines, etc, as the tip is moved across the surface.

The most important part of using a tablet is practice and consistent use in order to become accustomed to the interaction of the pen with the computer. The pen will behave with slight differences within the different apps. For example, using the pen with a Zoom whiteboard will feel differently than using it in Photoshop. Also, different features may be available in different apps. For example, pressure sensitivity may be available in higher end drawing apps (Photoshop, AutoCAD, etc) but not in Zoom or Google Meet whiteboards. Find the app that feels like the best combination of good feel and features; then use that app consistently to become facile with the pen. The results will sometime feel and look a bit strange but with practice you will, eventually, obtain good results.

On the lighter side, it also helps to remind students that when using the pen, you will actually be writing in a variant of ancient, Akkadian script and that it is to their advantage to study such a language.

Here are a couple videos that might help you:
Getting Started (Wacom)

Wacom Tablet Demo - Teaching Online (Daigle, E. J., 2020. Dunwoody College of Technology)