Tablets@university: The ownership and use of tablet devices by students

Abstract

Tablet devices have made a dramatic impact in the computing industry, and have been widely adopted by consumers, including tertiary students. Published research surrounding the use of tablet computers in tertiary settings appears to be largely centred on the advantages of integrating tablets into university pedagogies. However, there appears to have been very little research into the current level of ownership and use amongst students beyond university-sponsored adoption programs. This paper sets out to provide baseline data on the level of ownership and the current usage of tablets by students at an Australian university. A survey of 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students and interviews with five students showed high tablet ownership and significant engagement with educational uses. The findings of this study have implications for the incorporation of tablets into university education.