Abstract:
Agriculture and biology faculty utilized tablet personal computers in eight different classes as part of developing a cooperative learning environment. After using the tablet personal computers to complete cooperative learning exercises, students in five classes rated how the tablet personal computers impacted their perception of the learning environment. Students in four classes rated how the tablet personal computers affected their ability to interact with other students and their instructor during cooperative learning exercises. A majority of students in the learning environment survey group agreed that using the tablet computers had a favorable impact on their learning environment. Similarly, a majority of students in the interactivity survey group agreed that using the tablet computers had a favorable impact on their ability to interact with each other and their instructor. Based on student assessment results and classroom experience we conclude that the use of tablet personal computers had a positive impact on student perception of their learning environment, thus providing an improved cooperative learning experience. Enhancing wireless access, developing improved cooperative learning exercises, and gaining further experience with the technical aspects of the tablet personal computers will enable us to further enhance the cooperative learning environment in our classes.
Keywords:
tablet computers, cooperative learning
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