OR 100 Intro to Higher Ed - Reitmaier

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About This Article

This article describes how mobile computing, specifically tablets, was piloted in Prof. Amy Reitmaier's OR 100 Introduction to Higher Education to transform teaching and learning.

Intended Audience

WSU instructors interested in past faculty experience with tablet devices in the classroom.

Spring 2013 iPad Pilot

Students in this course had access to an iPad tablet to use throughout the spring semester along with several apps selected by Dr. Reitmaier for use in class and in the field.

How the iPads are Used in OR 100

Because they are freshmen, students in Intro to Higher Ed were issued iPads as part of the regular Fall 2013 technology distribution. Dr. Reitmaier facilitated this section of OR 100 (all potential nursing students) and included a unit on iPad usage in the curriculum.

The objectives of the pilot were:

  • Familiarize the students with the tablets. While tablet technology is not a new thing, there are still many students that are not familiar with tablets. On a secondary front, even a larger number of students are not familiar with the tablet's value in the classroom. Professor Reitmaier took time in the class to work with the students and instruct them in the use of the iPads, assisting them in becoming familiar with the device and how it functions.
  • Build a knowledge of educational value within the students. iPads are well known for their entertainment value but lesser known as educational devices. Professor Reitmaier instructed the students in the use of iPads for note taking and as medical references.

Outcomes

Changes in the classroom

  • New curriculum. Students were introduced to new curriculum that focused on the iPad and its educational value. This not only helped the students with limited or no tablet experience understand the iPads better but emphasized the educational uses of the iPad for all students. (This is important as one of the top requests from students is helping them understand how to use tablets in the classroom.)

Recommendations

  • Improved training for students. Students at all levels (especially as they start out new at WSU) need to be familiar with tablet usage in the classroom. Adding a tablet section to OR 100 helps them realize the potential and gives them the knowledge needed to get the return on the investment in the technology.
  • More training materials. A consistent set of training materials available to all OR 100 instructors would be helpful.

iPad Applications Employed in OR 100

Professor Reitmaier used the following applications in her OR 100 iPad pilot:

  • Dropbox
  • Evernote

Descriptions, pricing, and links to iTunes for each of these applications is available on the iPad Pilot Applications page.

More Information

Related Wiki Topics


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