Project - X: An Initiative to Increase Student Engagement through Laptops

Abstract

Today’s digital natives enthuse educators to consider the impact of technology on learning and plan proper instruction, involving the use of laptop along with other technologies. However, implementing laptop use in classrooms without adequate support from administration, IT and faculty can have limited benefits. This article presents the results of a project conducted to identify the perceptions of students and faculty about ways in which the laptop use affects the learning environment at the Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi for two courses: Strategies for Team Based Engineering Problem Solving and Communication. Sixty-four freshman students, six instructors and two IT members were involved in the project. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from students and faculty using a student survey, weekly electronic faculty-feedback logs, and electronic student journals. Data revealed that the use of laptops in the classrooms enhanced the feedback process on team-assignments in particular. Instructors felt that integration of laptops facilitated syllabus delivery and classroom management. Results also indicated challenges related to technical issues such as battery-life and Wi-Fi interference. It was further found that initial student and faculty training is essential for the project to have greater success. Results are discussed and recommendations are made for effective integration of the laptop in active learning environments.

Keywords

• Laptop,Active learning,Student engagement,Team learning

Kaynakça

1. Autodesk Knowledge Network. (2015). Retrieved on 16 December 2015 from http://knowledge. autodesk.com/support/autocad
2. Baker, S. E., & Edwards, R. (2012). How many qualitative interviews is enough? Expert voices and early career reflections on sampling and cases in qualitative research. Southampton: ESRC National Center for Research Methods.
3. Barak, M., Lipson, A., & Lerman, S. (2006). Wireless laptops as means for promoting active learning in large lecture halls. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38, 245-263.
4. Belanger, Y. (2002). Laptop computers in the K-12 classroom. In M. A. Fitzgerald, M. Orey, & R. M. Branch (Eds.) Education media and technology yearbook (pp. 80-83). USA: Libraries Unlimited.
5. Bergman, J. & Sams, A. (2012). Flip your classroom: Every student in every class every day. International Society for Technology in Education. (ISTE). Eugene, USA. 2012.
6. Bhave, M. P. (2002). Classrooms with Wi-Fi. T.H.E. Journal, 30 (14), 17–20.
7. Bolick, C. M. & Cooper, J. M. (2011). Classroom management and technology. In C. M. Evertson, & C. S. Weinstein (Eds.), Handbook of classroom management: Research, practice, and contemporary issues (pp. 541-558). New York and London: Routledge.
8. Borsheim, C, Merritt, K., & Reed, D. (2010). Beyond technology for technology’s sake: Advancing multiliteracies in the 21st Century. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 82(2), 87-90.

9. Chun, M. M. & Wolfe, J. M. (2001). Visual attention. In B. Goldstein (Ed.), Blackwell handbook of perception (pp. 272-310). Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
10. Efaw, J, Hampton, S., Martinez, S., & Smith, S. (2004). Miracle or menace: Teaching and learning with laptop computers the classroom in. Educausereview. Retrieved on 16 February 2017 from http://er.educause.edu/articles/2004/1/miracle-or-menace-teaching-and-learning-with-laptop-computers-in-the-classroom.
11. European Commission (2007). The key competences for lifelong learning: A European framework. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
12. Fried, C. B. (2008). In-class laptop use and its effect on student learning. Computers & Education, 50(2), 906-914. Gookin, D. (2010). Laptops for dummies. Somerset, NJ: Wiley & Sons.
13. Hoy, W. K. & Miskel, C. G. (2013). Educational administration: Theory, research, and practice (9th Edition). New York: McGraw -Hill.
14. Hu, W. (2007, May 4). Seeing no progress, some schools drop laptops. The New York Times. Retrieved on 16 February 2017 from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/04/education/ 04laptop.html
15. Kay, R. & Lauricella, S. (2011a). Innovations in practice unstructured vs. structured use of laptops in higher education. Journal of Information Technology Education, 10, 33-41.
16. Kay, R. & Lauricella, S. (2011b). Exploring the benefits and challenges of using laptop computers in higher education classrooms: a formative analysis. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 37(1), 1-18.
17. Kumar, M. J. (2013). The malady of technology in our lives: Is anyone listening? IETE Technical Review, 30(1), 1-3. Leask, M. & Pachler, N. (2005). Learning to teach using ICT in the secondary school (2nd Edition). London and New York: Routledge.
18. Lederman, J. (2016) Literature review: Student laptop use in the higher education classroom. Teaching commons @ York. Retrieved on 16 February 2017 from http://teachingcommons. yorku.ca/student-laptop-use-the-higher-education-classroom/
19. Lester, S. (1999). An introduction to phenomenological research. Taunton: Stan Lester Developments.
20. Lowther, D, R., Ross, G, M. & Morrison, D, R., Ross, G, M., & Morrison, R, G. (2001, July). Building on the future. Paper presented at the National Educational Computing Conference, Chicago, IL.
21. Martin, M. (2016). Blending instruction with technology. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.
22. Miller, R, T. (2008). Laptop educators: Identifying lap top use and pedagogical change (Doctoral dissertation, the University of Utah, Utah) Retrieved on 16 February 2017 from https://books.google.ae/books?id=Ed3rAPGRGuUC&printsec=frontcover&hl=ar&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false.
23. Murray, K. E. (2011). Let them use laptops: Debunking the assumptions underlying the debate over laptops in the classroom. Oklahoma City University Law Review, 36(1), 185-229.
24. Nilson, A. & Weaver, B. E. (2005) Laptops in class: What are they good for? What can you do with them? New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 101, 3-13.
25. McVay, G. J., Snyder, K. D., & Graetz, K. A. (2005). Evolution of a laptop university: A case study. British Journal of Educational Technology, 36(3), 513-524.
26. Mouza, C. & Cavalier, A. (2013). The role of one-to-one computing in the education of at-risk high-school students. In C. Mouza & N. Lavigne (Eds.). Emerging technologies for the classroom: A learning sciences perspective (pp. 145-160). New York, NY: Springer.
27. Ohland, W. & Stephen, E. A. (2005). Using laptops in the classroom for real-time data collection and analysis. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 101, 16-79.
28. Parr, J, M. & Ward, L. (2011). The teacher’s laptop as a hub for learning in the classroom. JRTE, 44 (1), 53-73. Shneiderman, B. (2003). Leonardo’s laptop: Human needs and the new computing technologies. London: The MIT Press.
29. Sung, Y. T., Chang, K. E., & Liu, T. C. (2016). The effects of integrating mobile devices with teaching and learning on students’ learning performance: A meta-analysis and research synthesis. Computer & Education, 94, 252-275.
30. Toyama, K. (2011). There are no technology shortcuts to good education. ICT in Schools. Retrieved on 16 February 2017 from http://edutechdebate.org/ict-in-schools/there-are-no-technology-shortcuts-to-good-education
31. Tubaishat, A. & Bataineh, E. (2009). The impact of laptops on female students learning in an outcome-based Learning environment. Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, 1126-1133.
32. Ward, L. & Parr, J. M. (2010). Revisiting and reframing use: Implications for the integration of ICT. Computers & Education, 54(1), 113-122.
33. Warschauer, M., & Grimes, D. (2005) First year evaluation report Fullerton school district laptop program. Retrieved on 16 February 2017 from http://education.uci.edu/person/ warschauer_m/docs/fsd-laptop-year1-eval.pdf
34. Witting, T. (2011). Laptop classes: The benefits of using laptops in English language teaching. Munich: GRIN Publishing GmbH.
35. Zhu, E., Kaplan, M., Dershimer, R, C., & Bergom, I. (2012). Use of laptops in the classroom: Research and best practices. Occasional Papers Published by CRLT, University of Michigan. Retrieved on 16 February 2017 from http://www.crlt.umich.edu/resources/occasional