To take or not to take the laptop or tablet to classes, that is the question

In recent decades, so-called mobile learning or m-learning has become a new paradigm in education as a consequence of technological advances and the widespread use of mobile devices to access information and for communication. In this context, this paper analyzes different profiles depending on students’ preferences for taking mobile devices (specifically tablets and/or laptops) to economics classes at the University of Seville (Spain). A survey-based field study of a sample of 412 students and the application of bivariate probit models show a low level of mobile device integration in teaching (devices taken to class by only 29.8% of respondents) with a slight predominance of laptops. The results also show differences between users of the two types of devices. Students who take their laptops to class usually live at home with their family, have already used them in pre-university levels, and are concerned about recharging their devices in class. However, although users who take their tablets to class also live with their parents, they are much more active on social network sites and more concerned about the quality of the internet connection. These findings enable the design of strategies to encourage students to attend class with their own mobile devices

TLC Year in Review

With contributions by Matthew Schehl, Shona Dunn, Ali Rodgers, Betsy Wallace, Miriam Bergue Alves, Michael Guerrero, Aileen B. Houston, Cheryldee Huddleston, Leo Blanken and Cecilia Panella, and a forward by Scott Bischoff, Dennis Lester, and Tom Rosko

Implementing Tablet PCs in a Distance Learning Environment

(First paragraph) The Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program (CGEP) is a collaborative distance education program developed by leading Universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is over 25 years old and its main goal is to deliver graduate engineering courses to qualified professionals located across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Traditionally, the courses delivered to students in this program are done through interactive video conferencing (IVC) technology and most students are required to drive to a physical location. However, an increasing number of working professionals are beginning to want more flexibility with the timing and locations of these classes. With these changes in market demand in mind, the CGEP directors are seeking new ways to deliver these courses combined with a systematic way to manage the change

Information and Communication Technologies in Engineering Education

In the emerging digital era it is difficult to train highly-skilled, competent specialists without the use of information and communication technology (ICT). The use of ICT in education increases the motivation to learn, stimulates cognitive activity and independent work, facilitates information exchange, enables interactive communication between teachers and students, and improves learning outcomes. This paper reviews the literature regarding the use of ICTs in education, explores their advantages and challenges, and surveys first-year students at the Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University to determine their attitude toward ICT in foreign language learning

Information and Communication Technologies in Engineering Education

In the emerging digital era it is difficult to train highly-skilled, competent specialists without the use of information and communication technology (ICT). The use of ICT in education increases the motivation to learn, stimulates cognitive activity and independent work, facilitates information exchange, enables interactive communication between teachers and students, and improves learning outcomes. This paper reviews the literature regarding the use of ICTs in education, explores their advantages and challenges, and surveys first-year students at the Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University to determine their attitude toward ICT in foreign language learning

Integrating Technology With Student-Centered Learning

Reviews research on technology's role in personalizing learning, its integration into curriculum-based and school- or district-wide initiatives, and the potential of emerging digital technologies to expand student-centered learning. Outlines implications

Stockport College of Further and Higher Education: report from the Inspectorate (FEFC inspection report; 38/97)

The Further Education Funding Council has a legal duty to make sure further education in England is properly assessed. The FEFC’s inspectorate inspects and reports on each college of further education according to a four-year cycle. This is such a report for the period 1996-97

Promoting engagement in active-learning classroom design

While the interior design of classroom spaces has evolved to support active learning methods, few studies have isolated environment changes from curriculum changes to understand the impact of space on behavior (Brooks, Walker, & Baepler, 2014).  Adapting an observation instrument from the Brooks (2012) study, “Space and Consequences”, this research  extends previous work in a unique circumstance that allowed the observation of a course which alternated class meetings between two differently designed spaces.  We gathered perspectives from 296 students and 9 instructors along with classroom observations which highlighted eye contact as important to both instructors and students in promoting engagement