iPad Use Among Freshmen Honors Students at The College at Brockport Pat Maxwell Priya Banerjee

Background Proliferation of mobile technology in higher education. Perception of the newest technology: “tablets are transformative.” The College at Brockport’s recruitment initiative.

Purpose The broad purpose of the study was to assess the success of the recruitment initiative. -record the nature of use of the iPad by students. -record the extent of use of the iPad by students.

Method Two online surveys comprising 15 questions at pre-test point and 24 questions at post-test. The pre-test was administered prior to the beginning of the semester. The post-test was administered 10 weeks later, towards the end of the Fall semester.

Research Question 1 For what ways and for what purposes did the freshman Honors students use the iPad?

Research Question 2 What was the difference between anticipated and actual reported use of the iPad?

Research Question 3 Did the offer of an iPad influence eligible candidates to accept the offers of admission to the College at Brockport Honors Program?

Demographics 80 incoming Freshman Honors students received iPads as part of their Honors scholarship (2011) 31 students completed the pre-survey 38 students completed the post-survey 23 students completed BOTH surveys. Of the 23 students completing BOTH surveys: –9 males –29 females

Results

Devices Owned by Participants N=39

Devices Used by Participants (and how often) N=39

Research Question 1 For what ways and for what purposes did the freshman Honors students use the iPad?

Students want to use the iPad in class: As part of lesson plan For presentations using apps like Doceri For note taking (teach me)

Students use the iPad in tandem with their laptop AND for... Music Photos & Videos Social Networking Tracking assignments Scheduling Reading Research

iPads in the Classroom

iPads at Home

Smart phone PCLaptopiPad E- Reader Pen / paper N/A Recording Lectures 3%10%39%15%33% Current events3%39%49%8%3% Math/Science41%10%36%13% Tutorials64%21%15% Dictionary3%64%31%3% Flashcards18%26%47%8% Casual Reading3%5%31%8%36%18% Preferred Device: Learning Activities N=39

Smart phone PCLaptopiPad E- Reader Pen / paper N/A Angel97%3% Reading Textbook54%23%18%5% Google, Wikipedia, or similar 3%77%20% Writing87%3%10% Library databases92%8% Preferred Device: Learning Activities N=39

Smart phone PCLaptopiPad E- Reader Pen / paper N/A Social networking15%21%62%3% Text messages53%3%10%34% Wikis5%46%16%32% Blogs3%43%27% 13% 46%41% Preferred Device: Communication N=39

Smart phone PCLaptopiPad E- Reader Pen / paper N/A Weather23%8%67%3% Web browsing5%51%44% Banking5%64%15% Shopping63%24%13% Sports8%26%33% Preferred Device: Lifestyle N=39

What was the difference between anticipated and actual reported use of the iPad? (Has the iPad become the device of choice?) Research Question 2

= Laptop = iPad= Pen/ Paper Preferred Device for Information-Seeking Activities (pre/post survey completed by same participants) N=23

Preferred Device for Media Activities (pre/post Survey completed by same participants) = Laptop = iPad N=23

= Laptop = iPad Preferred Device for Social Activities (pre/post Survey completed by same participants) N=23

Preferred Device for Information-Seeking Activities (Fall 2013 pre-survey) 84% prefer a laptop 61% prefer paper/pen 61% prefer a laptop 45% prefer paper/pen 39% prefer paper/pen N=31

Preferred Device for Information-Seeking Activities (Fall 2012 and 2013 pre-surveys) 84% prefer a laptop 29% prefer smartphone; 23% prefer the iPad; 39% prefer paper/pen 84% prefer an iPad 79% prefer paper/pen 23% prefer the iPad; 61% prefer paper/pen 32% prefer iPad; 61% prefer the laptop 84% prefer the laptop 26% prefer smartphone; 26% prefer the iPad; 45% prefer paper/pen 9 % prefer the iPad;88% prefer paper/pen

Research Question 3 Did the offer of an iPad influence eligible candidates to accept the offers of admission to the College at Brockport Honors Program?

The offer of an iPad influenced my decision to attend the College at Brockport.

Recommendations

Training for All Survey Faculty Readiness to use an iPad Core group of apps to recommend Offer workshops iPad Users Group

Best Practices Classroom Device Policy Notify instructor if a recording app will be used Instructor can model how to use Integrate into lesson plans

Digital Literacy Opportunity to model use of iPad as part of Library Instruction N=38

Send any questions or comments to: Pat Maxwell, MLS Mobile Technologies Team Co-Chair Library, Information, & Technology Services Priya Banerjee, PhD Honors Program Associate Director