Digital Scratch Pad for Math/Physics Students

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for digital alternatives to traditional paper for scratch work in math and physics. Participants explore various digital tools and their features, as well as the practicality and cost-effectiveness of these options.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a need for a digital writing tool that allows for easy erasure, undo functions, and a larger writing area than typical tablets.
  • Another participant suggests that many digital options may be expensive due to their additional features, questioning the necessity of such features for simple scratch work.
  • A suggestion is made to consider the Galaxy tablet, which includes a stylus and has received positive reviews.
  • A participant mentions the Boogie Board as a potentially affordable option, despite its limited features.
  • One participant shares a creative solution of using recycled paper from school recycling bins for scratch work, highlighting an environmentally friendly approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best digital option, with some favoring traditional methods and others exploring digital alternatives. Multiple competing views on the practicality and cost of digital tools remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying opinions on the necessity of features in digital tools, and there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of digital options compared to traditional paper methods.

daigo
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I use a LOT of paper to do scratch work for school (math/physics especially). Instead of using so much paper, is there a digital version of paper where I can maybe use a stylus-type utencil as a digital writing tool for the "digital paper" and erase easily/prevent accidental erasures, maybe some undo functions and the ability to "scroll" to a larger sheet of paper? Something like an iPad might be too small but I've never owned one so I can't tell its size, but it's sure as heck expensive to use as just a digital scratch paper. Is there anything built specifically for mathematicians or students?
 
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daigo said:
I use a LOT of paper to do scratch work for school (math/physics especially). Instead of using so much paper, is there a digital version of paper where I can maybe use a stylus-type utencil as a digital writing tool for the "digital paper" and erase easily/prevent accidental erasures, maybe some undo functions and the ability to "scroll" to a larger sheet of paper? Something like an iPad might be too small but I've never owned one so I can't tell its size, but it's sure as heck expensive to use as just a digital scratch paper. Is there anything built specifically for mathematicians or students?

You won't likely find many good cheap options. Tablets are not specializing yet because they are still new and companies want a broad market.

The Galaxy has a stylus and very good reviews
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00519RW1U/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
I guess tablets are expensive because of all the extra features...I don't need any software/programs or internet/wifi on the thing, but if old school writing on looseleaf is still faster than this tablet thing, then I guess I'll stick to killing trees for now.
 
Boogie Board
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZE4TDI/?tag=pfamazon01-20
limited features... but not too expensive
 
I used to just go to the recycling bins around the printers / photocopiers at my school, grab a bunch of discarded single-sided print outs (or better yet, pages with pretty minimal printing), and then staple them together. Lots of offices also have old glue-bound stationary they'd be happy to part with, as do take-out restaurants. Once used up, I just dumped them back off in the recycling bins from whence they came. Good for your homework, good for your municipality and the environment!
 

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