Journal of Information Systems Education (JISE)

Volume 15

Volume 15 Number 1, Pages 41-54

Spring 2004


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


Christopher G. Jones
David W. Johnson
Jan Bentley

Utah Valley State College
Orem, UT 84058, USA

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.

Keywords: Handheld computer-assisted instruction, Improving classroom teaching using PDAs, Mobile interactive learning environments, PDA-enhanced courses

Download this article: JISE - Volume 15 Number 1, Page 41.pdf


Recommended Citation: Jones, C. G., Johnson, D. W., & Bentley, J. (2004). Role Preference: Are Handheld Computers an Educational or Personal Technology? Journal of Information Systems Education, 15(1), 41-54.