Role Preference: Are Handheld Computers an Educational or Personal Technology?

Authors

Christopher G. Jones, Utah Valley State College
David W. Johnson, Utah Valley State College
Jan Bentley, Utah Valley State College

Abstract

As an educational delivery platform, current handheld computer technology provides a low-cost, networked, small-form factor appliance with sufficient machine resources to support instruction, learning, assessment, and collaboration. Yet, except in the fields of medicine and law, handheld adoption for collegiate classroom use has been minimal. This study presents the results of an empirical investigation of users and non-users of handheld technology in higher education. Faculty and student personal technology preferences, handheld usage practices, and experience profiles are presented. Results confirm handhelds are peripheral to most collegiate instruction with usage confined primarily to performing personal information management. When handhelds are used for education, they function as a portable extension of the personal computer. Implications for educational practice are presented.

Recommended Citation

Jones, Christopher G.; Johnson, David W.; and Bentley, Jan (2004) "Role Preference: Are Handheld Computers an Educational or Personal Technology?," Journal of Information Systems Education: Vol. 15 : Iss. 1 , 41-54.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jise/vol15/iss1/6