I have to admit that when I read the "BackPack.Net" comments about saving time I was very interested, because time management is probably one of the most important issues for all teachers.

Many issues seem to be confused, and benefits are not clearly apparent:

1. It appears that the Tablet PCs are saving time by eliminating the "time consuming" group work so that the students will have more time to "share and discuss their findings" (group work?). Where have we saved time? (Very confusing)

2. Group work including the discussion, prioritization, organization, structuring and presentation of data is a very important part of the learning process?
   
   If group work is becoming 'too time consuming', this is usually an indication of poor classroom management or planning (a teacher training issue).

3. How many seconds does it take to put the final data onto a transparency?

4. If we are so interested in saving time, why not just take a digital photo of the "experiment setup" (or several) and import the file/s into our document? Surely this would be much quicker than using a PC or tablet PC to draw the setup, and more authentic. Is this a science lesson, or an art class?

5. I can't help but wonder why the students are spending so much time on computers (even the desktop) in the first place. These are science lessons. Shouldn't the students' focus and time utilization be devoted mainly to the learning of science (practicals, discussions, presentations, etc.)?

6. From what I can see in the photographs some of the students in every photo appear to be 'totally preoccupied' with their tablet PCs. What are they learning?

7. Sorry, I really can't understand how we are saving time. Is it by cutting out educational processes? Or are we just moving the processes backward along the time-line?
   
   In fact, the potential risks of losing (wasting) time are more obvious! For instance, technical problems with the tablet PCs, student operational problems, wireless network slow or down, etc.
   
   

   Sorry, any benefit from using tablet PCs is not clear at all!
   
   However, there are some serious issues relating to "Backpack.Net" marketing that require serious consideration.