E-Learning could be enhanced by tablets and smartphones

6 January 2012

Devices like tablets and smartphones will play an important role in the development of e-learning, it has been claimed.

The Beyond Distance Research Alliance (BDRA), a team of researchers and teachers at the University of Leicester specialising teaching and learning innovation, said devices like the iPhone could have “transformative” possibilities in the long-term.

Grainne Conole, director of the BDRA, said:

“I was always dubious about mobile learning until I saw things like the iPhone – which is transformative – and some of the things like tablets for example.”

Ms Conole said one plan is for Master’s students at Leicester’s criminology department to be given iPads filled with course material as part of the learning experience:

“Certainly, I know at our institution that the criminology department is planning to give all their students on a new master’s program iPads as part of the learning package – which will be pre-loaded with all their course material, so clearly students are choosing these devices.”

She added that mobile devices are listed as the most likely technology to have the largest amount of influence in the learning sector. Furthermore, she mentioned that the idea of students bringing their own devices to seminars and lectures is becoming a growing trend that could further advance the use of the virtual classroom.

The latest NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Mobile PC Shipment and Forecast Report showed that sales of devices such as tablets accounted for 25.5 per cent of all PC shipments last year. This demand is expected to see a 12 per cent year-on-year rise in the coming 12 months.