Two case studies on the influence of mobile computing on student learning behaviour

In 2004 RMIT was a recipient of a Hewlett-Packard Mobile Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative comprising equipment and a small development fund. RMIT selected a combination of 23 Tablet PCs and 50 iPAQ PDAs to conduct trials associated with two sub-projects to investigate the application of mobile technology in higher education. Students in the second year of a multi-disciplinary Bachelor of Design program used the Tablet PCs to facilitate the design process. The study used qualitative ethnographic methods to explore the impact access to mobile computing had on student learning and everyday work practices. These students used design applications in concert with web logging and other communication tools to support individual and group design projects across the full academic year. The design students used their Tablet PCs for wireless access, as well as in standalone operation and in some cases wired access. It was found that mobile computing had a substantial impact on their everyday work practices. Second year students in a Bachelor of Nursing program used the iPAQs to access standard applications as well as specialist pharmacological databases.