Teaching and Learning with Tablet PCs

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of a secondary school in Singapore which was the first to introduce Tablet PCs to the entire cohort of its Secondary One (Grade 7) population. Except for physical education, the workshop aspects of design and technology, and the laboratory aspects of home economics, all other subjects are taught and learned using Tablet PCs. The implementation issues, including the business model which enabled 95% of the students to own their Tablet PCs, and the students’ perceptions of this new technology for learning are explored. Results show that the use of Tablet PCs for education is viewed very positively by both students and teachers. Being among the very first (and very few) studies investigating the effectiveness of Tablet PCs for educational use, it is suggested that the findings from this study have some implications for other educational institutions considering the use of Tablet PCs for their students.