Year 4 students’ and teachers’ perceptions on tablet use for learning : a comparative study

Abstract

The incorporation of digital agendas in educational policies indicate the serious considerations that many countries are taking to integrate technology in formal educational settings. To date, research conducted on teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions regarding the inclusion of tablet PCs (Tablets) in classroom instruction is still limited. This study investigated the perceptions that Year 4 teachers and students have towards the use of tablets for learning before its subsequent future rollout as indicated in local political manifestos. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four Year 4 teachers in a particular school. The students within the same academic year and the same school were given a questionnaire to fill-in. A whole class discussion was held with the students in order to strengthen data gathered from the questionnaires. Findings indicated certain diversities and similarities in the perceptions of teachers and students towards the use of tablet-PCs for learning. Nascent data showed that ultimately the role that tablet PCs will play in class would be strongly dependent on the end users themselves.