Effective Adoption of Tablets in Post-Secondary Education: Recommendations Based on a Trial of iPads in University Classes

Abstract

Mang and Wardley (2012) tested the viability of iPad within post-secondary university classes, with regards to both student adoption and pedagogical integration. As many students were already familiar with the user interface of the iOS operating system, little if any additional traning was required, aside from demostrating how to navigate university websites. For instructors, the study recommends that teachers be very well versed in the potentialities inherent within tablet computers, take the effort to thoroughly integrate the devices into the course and plan out just how the devices will suppliment the curriculum, and ensure that the university's IT department will be on board to offer comprehensive support. Moreover, iPads were found to be less of a distraction within the classroom than laptops, and students using the tablets more likely to stay engaged in the material during the course.