Lisa Kolakowski May 28, 2013 AEET/EDET 780 Critique 2

Stewart, M., Clark, J.J., Donald, J.W., & Van Camp, K. (2011, 29). EDUCAUSE Homepage | EDUCAUSE.edu. The Educational Potential of Mobile Computing in the Field (EDUCAUSE Quarterly) | EDUCAUSE.edu. Retrieved May 14, 2013, from http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/educational-potential-mobile-computing-field

Introduction
The purpose of this study by Stewart, Clark, Donald and Van Camp was to test the use of tablet PCs in college classrooms for field work. The authors studied three courses over the course of five years. Each course was at a different university and was a science course. Each course measured the students pre-course and postcourse. Most of the courses also had data from previous years where tablet PCs were not used. The college courses selected had small class sizes, a large number of tablet PCs and support technologists. The students in these courses had some combination of classroom work and field work. For the field work, students took the tablet PC to conduct and record everything found. This study found that although students faced some technical difficulties with using a new technology, overall they were more engaged learners and able to apply more research questions to the data found in the field. The limitation in this study, according to the researchers, was around the tablet PCs. At the time the research was being conducted, tablet PCs were still new in the marketplace. The durability, connectivity and speed was an issue. The studys findings are that the researchers found general agreement among students that the use of tablet PCs in active-learning, outdoor science classes was positive and useful. This can be related to many other courses as well, not just science courses. The questions to consider before using a tablet PC for field work include: Do you want students to collect data efficiently and somewhat quickly? Do you want to reduce transcript errors? Do you want students to experience an emerging technology? And, do you want to put more digital information into students hands as they learn? If I were conducting research in this area, my next area to study would be the use of tablet PCs in other courses, beyond science. Many other courses could use the technology available today to provide a more realworld experience and hands-on learning for students. For example, history or art classes can use tablets to learn more in the field. I would also be interested in the use of simulations in the field say for business classes. It might be difficult to take business classes in the field but it could be done through simulations. Would simulations provide enough of a hands-on learning experience for students? I think these two areas should be researched next.

Critique

I would not say a research question is clearly defined in this article. However, the goal is clearly defined to provide a wide-angle view of how to use tablet PCs as a mobile data-collection and note-taking tool suitable

for students use in the field. We hope to encourage a flowering of creative ideas for using tablet PCs in other classes having an outdoor component (Stewart, Clark, Donald, Van Camp). The information in the article does relate back to this goal. The usefulness of this article is high. Theories, standards and other studies such as the Lickert Scale, an ECAR study and Richard Mayers model were used. I found it very well organized by providing the course information such as number of students, hardware and software used, how the course was designed (such as lecture component and lab), pictures and videos from the course, the course evaluation with questionnaire feedback, and the reflection and lessons learned. I found this a useful setup for each course evaluated and provided a good background on the course. I found the use of multimedia with the videos, images, links to project websites and examples of the analysis particularly beneficial. Where I think this article could improve is in the critical and synthesizing. I found the data supported the claims made by the researchers, but it was not overly challenged. I would have like to see more at the end of the article evaluating the results of the courses. I found this article well-written and suitable to a wide audience. The use of multimedia also lends this article to be used by a wider audience. The material presented in this article does not directly apply to my own research topic of mobile learning for sales agents. The sales agents are selling insurance products, not taking science courses. However, I find this article still applies to my research topic. The sales agents are located across the country, some without access to classroom courses or in districts that have been successful on their own for many years. Through prior research conducted at work, we know agents prefer to learn from on-the-job training and most already own a tablet. The company I work for has already begun to develop some tools to be used on iPads, and I think more can be developed from a training perspective. Tools that allow the sales agents to track progress and the businesses already visited or ready for another visit. This is where the article can help provide a foundation of where to begin. The classroom component of training will always exist in some form, but incorporating iPads and other tablets to track progress can help keep agents on their sales goals, particularly new sales agents. At the end of the article, the knowledge that has been gained is that the tablet PCs do enhance the learning experience for students and for faculty. The theory being tested in this article is mobile learning theory. The researchers do conclude the article with the costs associated with tablet PCs for classroom work, questions to ask oneself before adding mobile learning theory to courses and some concluding thoughts on the subject.

Conclusion

Overall, I did find this article valuable although I think more research needs to be done to make the article more substantial. The article could be applied to my research topic and training sales agents because they are in the field and often learning best from on-the-job training. The company I work for is already providing mobile compatible presentations that can be used by sales agents. However, there are limitations in applying this article to my research topic. For instance, the article focuses solely on college science courses. This is a big limitation since I would be applying it to 1099 sales agents. Another limitation for me is the use of tablet PCs not iPads. The article does mention the use of iPads, but that they were not beneficial for the science courses. For my purposes, iPads are the common devices used by the sales agents. This article was useful to me by learning more about mobile learning theory, and how it is applied to courses. The information provided by this article is useful and can still be applied to my research topic. Furthermore, this article opens the door for additional research topics regarding mobile learning theory. Since the topic is still new and emerging technology occurs constantly, I think more research will be available around mobile learning over the next few years.