Executive SummaryThis paper explores the integration of tablets, such as the Apple iPad, in university classes and provides recommendations for other instructors to consider when adopting tablet technology. During the trial conducted in the summer of 2011 using iPads, we found that tablets had both academic and social uses, which should be considered when using this technology.The key to successfully adopting tablet technology was to ensure that students remained academically engaged with the device on a regular basis so that they became accustomed to its use. We found that the most useful ways to encourage academic engagement with the device included taking notes during lectures and conducting research during class. The connectivity associated with the devices allowed for enhanced interaction and collaboration among the students. We also found that tablets posed much less of a distraction to students than laptops, i.e., students who used tablets were less likely than laptop users to engage in off-task activities such as instant messaging, social network usage, and watching videos during a lecture.We make five recommendations for faculty who are considering adopting tablets as a mandatory component in their classrooms: 1) Know "everything" about the tablet operating system prior to distributing tablets to your students. 2) Decide early on how you would like to use the tablet in your class. 3) Ensure that you work closely with your institution's Information Technology department. 4) Make the tablet an integral component of your class. 5) Describe the features and benefits on the first day. 6) Carefully consider how to distribute the tablets.

We explore smartphone utilization by tourists from 24 countries visiting either Rome, Italy or Athens, Greece. By extending a standard technology acceptance model, we identify common travel uses for smartphones, which include taking photos, social networking, viewing maps, finding transportation and searching for shops and restaurants. Younger cohorts utilize their phones more than older cohorts, but there is no difference in utilization between females and males. The most important factors affecting behaviour are how often the tourist normally utilizes their smartphone when at home, and whether or not the tourist has non-WiFi data access. We conclude with recommendations for future research.

In

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

This paper assesses students’ attitudes towards using tablets, such as the Apple iPad, in university classes. Tablets are found to be a substitute for laptop computers. Students initially expressed a great deal of optimism regarding the technology, and, although their views diminished slightly as they gained experience with using a tablet, their attitude towards the technology remained overwhelmingly positive. Most students experienced an easy transition from using a laptop to using a tablet. Furthermore, once students adopted the tablets in place of their laptops for in-class use, the types of tasks they performed with the tablets differed from the types of tasks they had previously performed with the laptop. Overall, the tablets reduced the incidence of off-task behaviour during lectures such as using chat and social networking applications. Cet article évalue les attitudes des étudiants quant à l’utilisation de tablettes électroniques telles que le iPad d’Apple dans les classes universitaires. Les tablettes sont considérées comme des substituts aux ordinateurs portables. Les étudiants ont d’abord exprimé beaucoup d’optimisme à l’égard de cette technologie, et bien que leur perception se soit légèrement dégradée avec l’expérience de la tablette, leur attitude envers la technologie est restée très positive. La plupart des étudiants ont effectué une transition facile entre l’utilisation d’un ordinateur portable et celle d’une tablette. En outre, une fois que les étudiants ont adopté en classe les tablettes à la place de leurs ordinateurs portables, les types de tâches qu’ils accomplissaient avec les tablettes ont différé des celles qu’ils effectuaient précédemment avec l’ordinateur portable. Dans l’ensemble, les tablettes ont réduit les cas de comportements hors tâche durant les cours, comme l’utilisation du tchat et des réseaux sociaux.