1. The Distraction Factor Does The Use Of Student Computers In The Classroom Lead To Educational Distraction?

2. Authors Mark J. Moran, Ph.D. Mark.Moran@dsu.edu Richard T. Christoph, Ph.D. Rick.Christoph@dsu.edu Richard D. Puetz, JD Rick.Puetz@dsu.edu ( corresponding author ) Jack H. Walters Ph.D. Jack.Walters@dsu.edu

3. Dakota State University DSU is located in Madison, SD about 60 miles NW of Sioux Falls, SD

4. Tablet PC initiative Started in 2004. All students lease a tablet PC as part of attending DSU.

5. Tablet PC schools All student use: Winona State University, Valley City State University, Dakota State University… Partial student use: Bentley, U of Wash, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Seton Hall, University of Texas-Austin, among many, many others

6. The TPC initiative Previous publications found TPC to receive high scores from students. Students intent to use TPC was high at 5.6, out of a 7 unit likert scale. Students use was slightly lower at 5.1. (TPC acceptance by college students, 2006, El-Gayar & Moran; DSI annual meeting)

7. Distraction Factor Some universities have begun to detect distractive effects of notebook and tablet PCs. As a result some have actually blocked mobile computer use!

8. Our research Using self efficacy concepts we surveyed approximately 400 students to determine if there was any difference between freshman and upper classmen's opinions on weather ubiquitous Internet access with TPC cased distractions in the classroom. We used a five point likert scale survey tool.

9. Hypotheses Hypothesis 1: There will be no difference between new freshman computer users and more experienced upper class students in student self assessment of the Tablet PC as a tool to enhance classroom performance. Hypothesis 2: There will be no difference between new freshman computer users and more experienced upper class students in self- reported distraction levels caused by student use of computers in the classroom.

10. Results Hypothesis 1: There will be no difference between new freshman computer users and more experienced upper class students in student self assessment of the Tablet PC as a tool to enhance classroom performance.

11. Hypothesis 2: There will be no difference between freshman and upper class business majors in the expected level of in class distraction caused by Tablet PC systems between students based on the student’s self-assessment of their level of Tablet PC expertise.

12. Conclusion Upper class students do not see the TPC as much as a positive as freshman students. We need to take steps to increase the educational effectiveness of the device.