Hello everyone, today, I’m excited to share a really cool way to teach online using just your smartphone and a graphics tablet, without needing a computer. Let’s get started!
You can use graphics tablets like the Huion Inspiro Dial and XP-Pen Deco 01 version 2 to teach directly on an Android device, whether it’s a tablet or a smartphone. You might wonder why this is special since many people already have laptops or PCs. Well, there are two main reasons.
First, many individuals have jumped into online teaching without proper training or access to a computer. With just a 64,000 naira or 80,000 naira graphics tablet and their Android device, they can effectively teach online. That’s pretty cool!
Second, this method serves as a great alternative. I know many people who faced technical issues during their online classes because their computers malfunctioned. With this setup, you can continue teaching using your smartphone without waiting for repairs.
Now, let’s go through the steps to set this up. You’ll need two devices: an Android device with Android 6 or higher and a compatible graphics tablet. Most of you likely have at least Android 6, but it’s good to check your settings to confirm.
For graphics tablets, I recommend the Huion Inspiroy Dial and XP-Pen Deco 01 version 2, but there are also cheaper options like the Huion HS64 and XP-Pen G640S that work well with smartphones.
Let’s start with the Huion Inspiroy Dial. I have my smartphone and graphics tablet ready. I’ll use the Type-C adapter that comes with the tablet and plug the USB receiver into it. This graphics tablet is wireless, so you won’t need to connect a charging cable.
Once you connect it to your Android device, it automatically recognizes the tablet and switches to Android mode. There’s no need to download any extra software or drivers, which is fantastic!
Now, let’s open a note-taking application like Google Keep. You’ll see options for different pen colors, a highlighter, and an eraser at the bottom. Let’s start writing! It works great, and you can easily switch colors and highlight text.
Keep in mind that you can only use the left half of the active area on the tablet because it needs to be in portrait mode. If you try to write on the right half, there won’t be enough space on the screen.
Now, let’s try teaching live using Zoom. You can share your screen and access Zoom’s built-in whiteboard feature, which allows you to teach without needing an external application. You’ll find tools for writing, erasing, and changing colors at the bottom of the screen. It’s smooth and responsive, with no lag.
You can also annotate PDF files by sharing your entire screen and using an annotation app like Zoda. The writing experience is much better than using a phone screen, and you have a larger writing area.
Unfortunately, this teaching method only works in portrait mode, so you won’t be able to rotate your phone to landscape mode. However, you can also use Google Meet to teach live, which is free and has no time limit. Just click the three dots icon at the top, choose the option to present your screen, and start teaching.
Now, let’s take a look at the XP-Pen Deco 01 version 2. This tablet is not wireless, so you’ll need to plug the charging cable into the adapter. Similar to the Huion tablet, it also requires you to use it in portrait mode.
Writing feels just as good on this tablet, and it works great with Zoom and Google Meet as well. One thing to note is that since this tablet doesn’t have a battery, it uses your phone’s battery. While I didn’t notice any significant drain during my tests, it’s still better to use a wireless tablet that has its own battery.
In conclusion, teaching online with a smartphone and a graphics tablet is a fantastic option. It’s much more comfortable than writing on a small glass screen, and you have a larger writing area. These graphics tablets are versatile and can be used with computers, laptops, or smartphones.
What do you think about this method? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Stay tuned for more content about online teaching. Thank you for reading, and goodbye!
