Citation of “Visitors and Residents: A New Typology for Online Engagement”

by Tony Schiera White and Le Cornu

White, D. S., & Le Cornu, A. (2011). Visitors and residents: A new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9), 7-7.

Citation of “Enhancing Student Performance Using Tablet Computers”

By Tony Schiera

Enriquez, A. G. (2010). Enhancing student performance using tablet computers. College Teaching, 58(3), 77-84. doi: 10.1080/87567550903263859

Summary

            Enriquez’s study investigates how table, PC, and wireless technlolgy can be used in classroom activities to create an Interactive Learning Network (ILN). The ILN is designed to increase participation from students during lectures. For instructors, the ILN offers opportunities to conduct “immediate and meaningful” (p. 77) learning assessment for students as well as provide feedback and assistance to students in real time. Four classes were used to create the case studies articulated in this paper. Two of the classes were for learning about computer circuits taught at a college in California and were compared to each other for statistical analysis. The other two courses were taught at different colleges in California: one at the same college as the first case study, and the other college was a larger state school using the same lesson plan. The key difference between the two latter site studies was the new college used more traditionally based classroom activities featuring a teacher at the chalkboard. Tablets and PCs were not allowed in this classroom. The study results show that in classroom employing wireless tables and PCs there is a greater effectiveness teaching pedagogy in the realm of problem-solving courses compared with courses with teaching environments where the instructor is centered.

Assessment

            Enriquez’s study highlights how ILNs can assist teachers in creating a more interactive and dynamic classroom environment. Through case study analysis and some statistical comparisons, Enriquez discovered an important focus of ILN:  providing teachers the ability to provide real-time feedback to students. While Enriquez’s study is small (possibly its only serious issue of validity), it does provide the groundwork for further investigation into student satisfaction regarding the use of ILNs. Student reported enjoyment with the real-time aspects of teacher feedback and interaction within their chats when working with other students on projects. The concepts of an ILN provide a basis for creating other shared spaces of work that exist in locations other than the classroom. Enriquez’ data on student satisfaction supports the claim that when given meaningful opportunity to collaborate interactively, students learn more and enjoy learning.

Key Quotation

     As technology is infused into the classroom, mathematics, science and engineering faculty in all levels of education should consider using tablet PCs over laptop and desktop computers in the classroom. Networked tablet PCs enable students and faculty to analyze problems, collect data, take notes, and combine handwritten and other electronic class materials. They also offer the flexibility to write and manipulate mathematical formulas, draw sketches, and add ink annotations when solving and analyzing problems. These benefits should be weighed against the additional cost of a few hundred dollars for a tablet PC compared with a regular laptop computer. (p. 84)