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Abstract This paper considers the use of iPads in the University of Southampton Management School. The iPad is an extremely popular mobile technology device and has broad educational application, as demonstrated by the research and case studies at primary and secondary school level. Rather less has been documented about the iPad at HE level, but even at the University of Southampton, where there is no formal support for using them, they are increasing in popularity. The Management School invested in tablets to experiment with mobile assessment in 2012, and this gave some insights into the potential and limitations of tablet use in higher education. However, when staff and students on the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme were provided with an iPad at the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year, this presented an ideal opportunity to consider this in more detail, and examine the perceptions and practice of the two user groups. A questionnaire was designed and made available to all MBA staff and students at the beginning of the semester, which collected some quantitative data but also invited open comment on a number of issues. Semi-structured interviews with a small subgroup of participants gave further detail. The results of this initial research are presented here, and indicate that while the overall reaction is positive – acknowledging the benefits of ‘new’ technology or different ways of teaching and learning – there are also barriers to uptake or use. For instance, students used the iPads quite extensively in the first week, and indicated that they had underestimated the potential of the iPad as a learning tool (even if familiar with their use in a business or personal setting). Staff also explicitly stated that they saw considerable potential in iPad use in their teaching and were happy to trial new technology. There was a clear preference for more support in their use, even from experienced technology users. The intention is to revisit the group at the end of the first semester to consider progress and changes in practice.
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Embedding the iPad as a learning and teaching tool:
a case study of staff and student perspectives
Dr Mary Morrison, Mrs Jean Leah, Ms Fiona Harvey and Mrs Carol Masters
Overview
Background Research approachPhase one (paper)Phase two Conclusions
Southampton
City UniversitySchoolMBA
Our research design
Personalised learning toolCase study of ‘direct experience’Blended learning
Margaret Driscoll (n.d.) identifies four broad definitions of blended learning, the second of which is
“to combine various pedagogical approaches (e.g., constructivism, behaviorism, cognitivism) to produce an optimal learning outcome with or without instructional technology”
‘The appropriate use of theories, methods and technologies to optimise learning’
Our research approachBackgroundMethodology
Online surveyCase studyIndividual perspectives
Useful for MBA team
Phase one results
Survey – online (students 12/25, staff 8/17)
Interviews semi-structured: 2 staff and 2 students
Prior use of iPad and tablets (as percentage of respondents in groups)
Comments Student StaffConsidered to be a good/ different teaching and learning tool 6 2Positive about new / different technology
2 7Considered this to be a sign that students are valued 2 1Concerned about barriers and lack of system integration 1 1Portable, light, better than books
2
Comments on provision of iPad (a selection)
Comments Student StaffUseful
8 3Can use iPad already
3 1Don’ t need it yet – ie not teaching on MBA yet 1
Prefer not to read user guides1 2
No time 1
Good to learn about apps 5
Comments on the guide provided
Phase one staff interviews• Potential as learning/ teaching tool• Adjustment of approach needed• Support needed• Technology should enhance learning • Speed of in class researching (good and bad?)• Good for MBA – recognition of special status
Phase one student interviews• Potential (‘the most useful useless device’)• Timesaving • Can transfer practices from work • More support • Familiarity with technology seemed important• Compatibility issues
Barriers and facilitatorsWifi coverageCompatibilityUsing word or other document formats
PortabilityFast and easy access to internet and email
Phase one conclusions• Too early to draw many conclusions• Valued by both staff and students - distinctive
for MBA• Great potential as learning and teaching tool
Use should increase over time and with familiarity?
Phase two
SurveyStaff and students busierVery poor response rate (students 5/25, staff 3/17) Technical issues
Interviews (3+3)
Phase two staff interviews• Limited use in class (due to lack of time to
prepare, lack of familiarity)• Increasing informal usage (communications,
easy access to video and images, texts, use of Facetime with students for meetings)
• Noted student usage of iPads (eg with an employer visitor, or as additional tool/ screen)
• Would like more guidance
Phase two student interviews• Varied approach, one used iPad as key work and
library space, others as additional or back up tool
• Direct requests from staff would prompt use • More guidance could help (for staff too)• Culture and familiarity with technology
important • Various ideas about how to embed further
(advice on apps, learning differences)
Barriers and facilitatorsKeyboard Not enough guidanceWifi coverage (accommodation)Compatibility with University systems
PortabilitySpeed of accessE books
Conclusions• iPad good for MBA - adds value, suggests
innovation and progression• Powerful tool for blended learning, but staff and
students need development opportunities• Personalised learning tool – diverse approaches • Usage generally increased over time• Confident use within the programme depends
on a level of familiarity which can only really be achieved through usage (informal/ formal)
