A debate its a formal contest of argumentation between two groups or teams. In this case, one group have to defend the use of the tablet, while the other one defend the use of the laptop. In the middle, there is always a neutral character, in this case, the teacher.
To prepare for the debate, we have to analize our strengths and weaknesses. We also study their weaknesses in order to make strong questions.
Some of the tablet features are:
- Lightweight.
- Portable.
- Integrated Wifi.
- 3G or 4G technology.
- Touch technology.
- GPS.
- Bluetooth technology.
- Variety of brands models and sizes.
- Integrated camera.
- Applications (clock, calculator, organizer, calendar).
Tablet weaknesses:
- Fragile.
- Less RAM and disk space capacity.
- Repairs are expensive.
Laptop weaknesses:
- It's heavier.
- It's more expensive.
- It's bigger and less confortable.
- It's slower in many ways (turning on and off, surfing the internet).
- Most of the laptops doesn't have touch or bluetooth technology.
Arguments they can use against us:
- The tablet is fragile. - Answer: It depends of the person who use it. You can also use a tablet protector.
- The tablet has low storage capacity. - Answer: The files on the tablet are lightweight, and you can store up to 32 gigabites.
- Tablets have low memory capacity. - Answer: Tablets programs work with less resourses, so the system doesn't freeze like on a laptop.
- Tablet maintenance is expensive. - Answer: It is because tablets include modern technologies, and replace the pieces its complicated. There are several Technical Support centers to repair tablets.
Questions we can ask them (accourding to their weaknesses):
- What can you do if you forget the notebook battery pack? it won't be portable anymore.
- How can you protect a notebook against damages?
- How do you send files when you don't have internet connection?
- What can you do if you close the screen with an object inside and the screen breaks?
- Why is the battery pack life only last for a few hours while the tablet battery last over 10 hours?
- Why are notebooks more expensive than tablets, if they are bigger, heavier and do the same things?
- What can you do if dirt or a small object fall under the keyboard?
- Why does the notebook take so much time turning on and off?
- Why does the notebook take so much time on connecting to the internet?
- Why do you think carring a notebook its more confortable than carring a tablet?
- How can you send files to other electronic devices (like a smartphone), without a pendrive?
- Can you explain how can a notebook be more confortable than a tablet while traveling?
- What can you do if the notebook doesn't recognize a peripheral?
- How do you use the notebook if the mouse pad doesn't work?
Additional argument: One of the contenders ask me if there exist any program on a tablet that allow me to create applications. Here is my answer, used on the second presentation:
There are several programs that allow you to create applications. App Cloud Core is a free licence platform that can be used to create applications for tablets and smartphones, App Cloud Core works on the cloud, that means that it works completely on the internet. You can create applications for Android and iOS.
App Cloud Core use a SDK, an application development platform that allows you to create, manage, and upload applications without been an expert programmer. You can also use App Cloud Workshop to test those applications before upload them in the App Store.
IOS also offers WebWorks SDK for the development of different applications and games.
