- How do I access the wireless network at Einstein?
Since Einstein is part of Yeshiva University, we have access to the vast resources of YU’s Information Technology Services. Using Yeshiva's Wireless Network is the ITS home page for all things wireless.
- How can I print using the wireless network?
Go to Wireless Printing for information on configuring your computer to enable you to print using the wireless network. You'll find instructions for both Windows and MAC.
- How do I decide what to print?
Deciding which materials you should print can be challenging. We offer several suggestions for the courses you will be taking in your first semester of medical school. These suggestions discuss items that may be useful to have in paper. You will find that your printing requirements might fluctuate during the year based on your own needs and the note-taking style that you develop.
All Courses: You may find it useful to print the “concepts to know” sheets that come with lectures, which list terms and key concepts to learn. You can use these as review notes during breaks, commutes, etc.
Histology: The majority of the histology material offered online consists of images. We do not recommend printing color slides that may require fine distinctions between shades of pink (unless you have a very good color printer). We believe that you might find it useful to print study sheets or typed notes that you make or acquire.
Molecular and Cellular Foundations of Medicine (MCFM): You do not need to print MCFM slides unless you want a paper copy. Many diagrams on slides are small and difficult to read on paper. It is very helpful to print the “POPs” worksheets provided during Immunology, unless you wish to annotate them by importing them into software that you can edit with a stylus. You will likely find it useful to print conference materials to annotate by hand.
Clinical and Developmental Anatomy: The anatomy material offered online is a mix of text and images. The course dissector (which tells you how to dissect your cadaver and what to find and study) is available online in color as a webpage and as separate PDF files. The Ger-Olson textbook is also available online as a PDF file. As in Histology, we do not recommend printing the images. You will likely purchase your own extensive anatomy atlas to use, which will replace the need for additional images. You may find it very helpful to print the “Materials to Know” PDF files found with the Online Dissector and bring them to lab or keep with you to study. You may also find printing some of the documents that list reading assignments or important dates to be useful. You do not need to print the dissector, as you will receive copies in Anatomy lab in color and black and white.
- How do I decide when to print it?
We recommend that you print any slides you wish to use in a lecture the night before that lecture. You can print other material at any time depending on when or how you would like to use it.
- Why does Einstein not recommend the use of the iPad as a primary note-taking platform?
We have found that the current iPad is not amenable to performing many of the tasks required for medical school. Some of the critical problems that we have found include:
Software:
- No Java or ActiveX, preventing use of the Virtual Microscopy software for Histology.
- No “right click,” meaning that certain functions are not functional (e.g. command menu in Virtual Microscopy).
- No Flash, preventing the use of many interactive online modules (e.g. embryology animations).
Hardware
- Direct input is limited to large and inaccurate capacitive styluses or typing on the glass. You will need a keyboard connected to the iPad for fast typing.
- Hardware may not be sufficient to quickly load or view complex files and webpages.
File Storage and Editing
- No dedicated file storage system exists on the iPad. You cannot currently download a file from a website without installing additional “Apps”. Once downloaded through a specific “App” a file may not necessarily be accessible or readable from other “Apps”.
- No built in software exists to easily edit PDF/PowerPoint/MS Word files. Multiple workarounds exist (including “cloud storage” and specialized “Apps”), but these introduce additional nuances and problems.
Future iterations of the iPad or new “Apps” may address some or all of these deficiencies. For now, however, we strongly recommend against students relying solely on an iPad for note taking.
- Are there tablet PC/slate combinations that I can buy?
As of December 2010, only the HP Slate 500 exists in tablet PC/slate configuration, i.e., a screen only tablet PC without a keyboard. This device can run the virtual microscopy software, since it is a Windows system in an iPad-like format. However, the HP Slate 500 is very expensive, does not use a Wacom stylus (preferred for sensitivity), has poor viewing angles, and limited hardware for its price. The hardware limitations mean that the device is much slower than a comparable laptop. You will still need to buy a keyboard to enter information by typing for the HP Slate 500. These issues lead us not to recommend using such a device in its current configuration.
In 2011, multiple new slate models from many different companies using Windows software will become available. Since we do not know which products will prove to be effective or worthwhile, we urge caution if you plan to purchase of any of these tablets to meet your medical school needs.