OVERVIEW Looking (and working) a lot like super-sized smartphones, tablets are a revolutionary new way of accessing the internet, playing games and communicating. Although they fit in your hands and are light enough to carry around, they can do a lot of the very same things your computer can do. You can browse the web, play games, send and receive emails, even type up letters. It’s all controlled using a touchscreen: to get things done, you simply touch the screen. Owning a tablet means you really can take your computer with you wherever you go; they’re also convenient to use when sitting on a couch. You can even lie in bed and read a book that you’ve loaded onto the tablet. WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR? You’ve seen friends and family watching movies and reading books on a tablet and want to find out more, or you want to surf the internet and send emails but don’t need or want a full-blown computer. Or maybe you like your computer but wish it was easier to use and move from place to place. Whoever you are, there are lots of reasons to love a tablet. WHAT YOU’LL NEED An internet-connected tablet computer; either your own or supplied by the workshop organisers. You may need to share a computer with others in the workshop. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN In this workshop, you will learn how to navigate the web using a tablet device. You will learn the differences between a PC and a tablet and how the two can work together. You’ll also learn how to start up programs on your tablet, connect wirelessly to the internet and how to navigate using a virtual keyboard. Note that a significant part of this session overlaps with the Introduction to Smartphones workshop. That’s because smartphones and tablets have a great deal in common. Note that a significant part of this session overlaps with the Introduction to Smartphones workshop. That’s because smartphones and tablets have a great deal in common. TIMETABLE This workshop is broken down into seven sections, with a break in the middle. Feel free to ask questions, and remember that the times are suggestions only. If you have experience with smartphones, for example, you may be SUBJECT DURATION What’s a tablet, and how is it different to a PC? 15 minutes A brief guide to different tablet models: iPad, Android and Windows 15 minutes Using a touchscreen and understanding gesture control 15 minutes
CONNECTING AN ANDROID TABLET This process will vary slightly from device to device, based on the version of Android being used and the customisations of the manufacturer. On the home page, tap on the Settings button. Under Wireless and Networks on the left, tap on Make sure Wi-Fi is switched to On (if it’s Off, tap the switch On). From the list of wireless networks on the right, tap on the name of your wireless network. You will be asked to enter a password. The onscreen keyboard will come up. Use it to type in the network password and press Enter. If the password is correct, you should be connected; a little note will appear under the network name saying it’s connected. Press the Home or Back button to return to the Home screen. On most Android tablets, these are not hardware buttons, but a section of the screen that looks like one of the below images. (The left-pointing arrow is Back; the steeple is Home; the third button switches between recent apps). CONNECTING TO A 3G SERVICE Some tablets also support 3G/4G mobile broadband services. In this case they work like smartphones – you need to insert a SIM card into the SIM slot of the tablet. Your tablet’s manual will tell you where the slot is. The SIM card needs to have a data service attached. Contact your telecommunications provider to ask about 3G and 4G data plans. A tablet with 3G/4G will use your Wi-Fi network and regular ADSL/cable/fibre broadband connection when you’re at home, and will switch over to mobile internet when it is no longer in range of your home network. TOPIC SUBJECT USING THE TABLET’S WEB BROWSER AND ONSCREEN KEYBOARD TIME 15 minutes