Teacher’s use of iPads in higher education

Abstract

Mobile devices (e.g. iPads or galaxy tab) are increasingly being used in educational contexts. There has been growing investment in higher education institutions in Hong Kong by the HKSAR Education Bureau in relation to educational uses of mobile technology. However, current research into educational applications of this technology is limited. This article reports results of a qualitative study that investigated how higher education teachers use iPads to facilitate their practice. The study results provide insight into both the educational affordances of iPad technology and the ways in which teachers’ personal or private theories mediate these affordances. The study outcomes contribute to theoretical understanding of higher education teacher changes through adoption of mobile technology. Furthermore, the outcomes provide a set of recommendations for applications of iPads and similar technologies in higher education and ways to support teachers to effectively adopt such technology in their practices.

Keywords:

• mobile learning
• iPad
• affordances
• teacher private theories

Notes

Proceedings of the International Mobile Learning Festival 2014: Integrating Technology, Social Media and Learning Design, 2–4 June 2014, Bali, Indonesia.

Additional information

Funding

Funding. This work was supported by the University Grants Council, Hong Kong [grant number 743112].