Promethean Board and ActiveSlate

At our school we use Promethean iwbs.  We bought five in August, and we
just received two more.  Eventually all classes should have an iwb.  I
teach grade 6 and 7 English, and Spanish I,II, III.  I am looking for
teachers to share flip chart resources.  I am also curious to know what
use anyone has gotten from activeslates, or graphics tablets.  Does this
increase student interaction since a student can use the iwb form their
desk?  Also, should I be able to use a graphics tablet made by someone besides Promethean..
maybe by Wacom?