Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/54925
technology Schools Release iPad Studies LAST FALL, Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business in Stillwater and Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business in Tempe conducted pilot studies in which they gave students iPads to use in place of printed materials in selected courses. The two schools are now releasing their findings regarding the iPad's potential to reduce costs and enhance learning. Most students in the OSU trial felt that the iPad had a positive impact on learning, say Bill Handy, visiting assistant professor in the School of Media and Strate- gic Communications, and Tracy Suter, associate profes- sor of marketing in the Spears School. Because students were able to purchase two digital textbooks for the same cost as a single printed textbook, and because faculty created fewer printouts, the device also could lead to cost savings for the school, they note. The OSU study also found that courses using the iPad were able to speed up the pace of learning, some- times reaching learning objectives weeks in advance. "The increased pace is likely attributed to the mobile functionality of the device, which allowed students to work in any environment," says Suter. Because all students had access to the same technology, they all could tap its capabilities. They all were on "a level playing field," Suter adds. However, the OSU students did not use the device as an e-reader as much as originally expected. Even so, 75 percent of students in the pilot agreed or strongly agreed with the state- ment, "I think the iPad enhanced the learning experience of this course." That number jumped to 92.8 percent among students who already owned a Mac, and it fell to 70.4 percent among students who were PC users. Only 3 percent indicated that they would choose a course that didn't include the iPad over an identical course that did. Sixty students took part in the trial at the Carey School. From their input, the school developed a range of online resources and classroom materials, says Tami Coronella, director of student services for the W.P. Carey MBA. She notes two drawbacks of the iPad. First, because students had to connect to the Inter- net to download materials, it put some strain on the school's systems. Second, because e-textbooks eventu- ally expire, the school would have to provide those materials to students who want to reference them after the course, if the iPad were to be formally adopted. After the iPad's price decreases and e-textbooks no longer expire, Coronella believes the iPad will be a more viable replacement for printed course materials, espe- cially for evening, online, and executive MBA students. At OSU, Handy and Suter are recommending that the university consider providing iPads to all students, but only after deans and department heads evaluate how to integrate them most effectively into their pro- grams. Says Handy, "Simply distributing the device without evaluation of how the course might be modi- fied for its use limits the impact." In OSU's iPad pilot program, 75 percent of students agreed that the iPad enhanced their learning experience. 60 July/August 2011 BizEd