Research Reviews

Educators are constantly seeking ways to further engage students, improve learning outcomes and reduce unnecessary disruptions and costs as part of the teaching-learning process. Although there has been considerable information in the literature, for many years, about how to use various devices in education for the above purposes, the difficulty remains that device centred research tends to overlook the educational and learning impacts. The research review this week treads a fine line between educational research and device-based inquiry. Sixty-six people including staff (22) and students (44) at Melbourne University have been undertaking a pilot project called the Step Forward iPad Pilot Project to trial the use of iPads across a range of subjects. The report Step Forward iPad Pilot Project – 14 January 2010 outlines a number of project expectations which include increased educational learning outcomes and 'improved competence at accessing and using information and resources for more independent learning' (p. 5).