Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Student observations: Introducing iPads into university classrooms

  • Published:
Education and Information Technologies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper explores the growing trend of using mobile technology in university classrooms, exploring the use of tablets in particular, to identify learning benefits faced by students. Students, acting on their efficacy beliefs, make decisions regarding technology’s influence in improving their education. We construct a theoretical model in which internal and external factors affect a student’s self-efficacy which in turn affects the extent of adoption of a device for educational purposes. Through qualitative survey responses of university students who were given an Apple iPad to keep for the duration of a university course we find high levels of self-efficacy leading to positive views of the technology’s learning enhancement capabilities. Student observations on the practicality of the technology, off-topic use and its effects, communication, content, and perceived market advantage of using a tablet are also explored.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • Aguilar-Roca, N. M., Williams, A. E., & O’Dowd, D. K. (2012). The impact of laptop-free zones on student performance and attitudes in large lectures. Computers & Education, 59(4), 1300–1308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez, C., Alarcon, R., & Nussbaum, M. (2011a). Implementing collaborative learning activities in the classroom supported by one-to-one mobile computing: a design-based process. Journal of Systems and Software, 84(11), 1961–1976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez, C., Brown, C., & Nussbaum, M. (2011b). Comparative study of netbooks and tablet PCs for fostering face-to-face collaborative learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 834–844.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Apple Can Run to $510 with iPad Market Share Momentum. (2011). Forbes, Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2011/09/21/apple-can-run-to-510-with-ipad-market-share-momentum/.

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behaviour change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1993). Perceived self-efficacy in cognitive development and functioning. Educational Psychologist, 28(2), 117–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barak, M., Lipson, A., & Lerman, S. (2006). Wireless laptops as means for promoting active learning in lecture halls. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38(3), 245–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of Use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J. (1944). Democracy and education. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichenlaub, N., Gabel, L., Jakubek, D., McCarthy, G., Wang, W. (2011). Project iPad: Investigating tablet integration in learning and libraries at Ryerson University. Computers in Libraries, 17–21.

  • El-Hussein, M. M., & Cronje, J. C. (2010). Defining mobile learning in the higher education landscape. Educational Technology & Society, 13(3), 12–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischman, J., & Keller, J. (2011). College tech goes mobile. Chronicle of Higher Education, 58(1), 50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gawelek, M. A., Spataro, M., & Komarny, P. (2011). Mobile perspectives: on iPads why mobile? EDUCAUSE Review, 46(2), 28–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goral, T. (2011). Take II tablets. University Business, 46–49.

  • Hartwick, J., & Barki, H. (1994). Explaining the role of user participation in information system use. Management Science, 40, 40–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, P. J., Chau, P. Y. K., Sheng, O. R. L., & Tam, K. Y. (1999). Examining the technology acceptance model using physician acceptance of telemedicine technology. Journal of Management Information Systems, 16(2), 91–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Igbaria, M., & Iivari, J. (1995). The effects of self-efficacy on computer usage. Omega, 23(6), 587–605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Junco, R. (2012). In-class multitasking and academic performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(6), 2236–2243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Junco, R., & Cotten, S. R. (2012). No a 4 U: the relationship between multitasking and academic performance. Computers & Education, 59(2), 505–514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kay, R. H., & Lauricella, S. (2011a). Exploring the benefits and challenges of using laptop computers in higher education classrooms: a formative analysis. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 37(1), 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kay, R. H., & Lauricella, S. (2011b). Unstructured vs structured use of laptops in higher education. Journal of Information Technology Education, 10, IIP33–IIP42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller, J. (2011). The slow-motion mobile campus. Chronicle of Higher Education, 57(36), B4–B6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinash, S., Brand, J., & Mathew, T. (2012). Challenging mobile learning discourse through research: student perceptions of blackboard mobile learn and iPads. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 28(4), 639–655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirschner, P., & Karpinski, A. (2010). Facebook and academic performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 26, 1237–1245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lam, J., Yau, J., & Cheung, S. K. (2010). A review of mobile learning in the mobile age. In Hybrid Learning (pp. 306–315). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

  • Magee, T. (2012) Tablet growth expected to outpace laptops. ChannelBiz. Retrieved October 21, 2012 from http://www.channelbiz.co.uk/2012/10/12/tablet-growth-expected-to-outpace-laptops/.

  • Mang, C. F., & Wardley, L. J. (2012). Effective adoption of tablets in post-secondary education: recommendations based on a trial of iPads in university classes. Journal of Information Technology Education Innovations in Practice, 11, 301–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mang, C.F., & Wardley, L. J. (2013). Student perceptions of using tablet technology in post-secondary classes. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 39 (4).

  • Mathieson, K. (1991). Predicting user intentions: comparing the technology acceptance model with the theory of planned behavior. Information Systems Research, 2(3), 173–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, N. G. (2007). From facebook to Folsom prison blues: how banning laptops in the classroom made me a better law school teacher. Richmond Journal of Law & Technology, 14(2), 1–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oblinger, D. (2003). Boomers gen-xers millennials. EDUCAUSE Review, 500(4), 37–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Percival, J., & Percival, N. (2009). A case of a laptop learning campus: how do technology choices affect perceptions? ALT-J Research in Learning Technology, 17(3), 173–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossing, J. P., Miller, W. M., Cecil, A. K., & Stamper, S. E. (2012). iLearning: the future of higher education? Student perceptions on learning with mobile tablets. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 12(2), 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schools Release iPad Studies. (2011). BizEd Magazine, 60–63.

  • Scott, R. (2011). Tableau economique: teaching economics with a tablet computer. Journal of Economic Education, 42(2), 175–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A., & Ranjan, J. (2014). A framework for mobile apps in colleges and universities: Data mining perspective, Education and Information Technologies [online]. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

  • Taylor, S., & Todd, P. A. (1995a). Assessing IT usage: the role of prior experience. MIS Quarterly, 19(2), 561–570.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S., & Todd, P. A. (1995b). Understanding information technology usage: a test of competing models. Information Systems Research, 6(4), 144–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh, V., Thong, J. Y. L., & Xu, X. (2012). Consumer acceptance and use of information technology: extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. MIS Quarterly, 36(1), 157–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voogt, J., Erstad, O., Dede, C., & Mishra, P. (2013). Challenges to learning and schooling in the digital networked world of the 21st century. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 29(5), 403–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vuojärvi, H., Isomäki, H., & Hynes, D. (2010). Domestication of a laptop on a wireless university campus: a case study. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 26(2), 250–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weider, B. (2011). iPads could hinder teaching, professors say. Chronicle of Higher Education, 57(28), A22–A23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, W. (2012). Tools of the Trade: how mobile learning devices are changing the face of higher education. Community College Journal, 82(5), 54–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, E., Zivcakova, L., Gentile, P., Archer, K., De Pasquale, D., & Nosko, A. (2012). Examining the impact of off-task multi-tasking with technology on real-time classroom learning. Computers & Education, 58(1), 365–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, B., Bandura, A., & Martinez-Pons, M. (1992). Self-motivation for academic attainment: the role of self-efficacy beliefs and personal goal setting. American Educational Research Journal, 29(3), 663–676.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nipissing University School of Business, 100 College Drive Box 5002, North Bay, ON, P1B 8L7, Canada

    Leslie J. Wardley & Colin F. Mang

Authors
  1. Leslie J. Wardley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Colin F. Mang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leslie J. Wardley.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wardley, L.J., Mang, C.F. Student observations: Introducing iPads into university classrooms. Educ Inf Technol 21, 1715–1732 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-015-9414-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-015-9414-4

Keywords