Tablet PCs in a paperless classroom: Student and teacher perceptions on screen size

Abstract

A paperless classroom, when all materials required to complete a class are available in an electronic form, has been shown to have positive impacts on student and teacher motivation, engagement, productivity, and efficiency. Recent trends suggest that of all of the technological tools available, tablet PCs can support many aspects of a paperless classroom for both students and teachers. A variety of resources describing the development and implementation of courses using tablet PCs are currently available, though comparatively less research specific to individual stages of the process or details involved in selecting appropriate tools has been performed. The current study was designed to provide preliminary evidence for how the screen size of a tablet PC affected interactions with electronic handouts from an English language class. Teachers and students completed tasks on both a 10-inch tablet PC as well as on the miniature version of the same tablet, to determine the impact screen size had on usability. It was found that while teachers significantly preferred interacting with classroom materials on the regular-sized tablet, students did not show preference toward either device for classroom use. However, students suggested that for everyday use, such as doing homework, the miniature version was preferred. The implications the results make on materials design and mobility as a component of a paperless classroom are discussed.