Trinity College, Melbourne, releases iPad usage report (Phase 1)

From TeleRead:

Trinity College, Melbourne, releases iPad usage report

Here are the key findings and recommendations from the report. You can find the full report here. (20 page GoogleDoc)

KEY FINDINGS:
– Pilot project staff and August Entry students overwhelmingly recommend iPads for use by other TCFS staff and students: 76.2% of staff and 80% of students
– iPads are effective, durable, reliable and achieve their educational aims of going further, faster and with more fun
– iPads have advantages for TCFS over other technologies such as netbooks and laptops
– iPads are not a replacement for desktop/laptop computers or other educational technologies but are an enhancement
– High quality audio-visual equipment in the classroom (such as flat screen TV monitors and document cameras), along with timely IT support, are required to enable full integration and best use of the iPads. Such equipment and support are crucial if the educational aims of iPaduse are to be realised rather than thwarted
– iPad use reduces printing and paper use
– Past TCFS students and current TCFS students in other intakes have expressed interest in iPads and a wish that they had the chance to use iPads at Trinity
– TCFS staff responded positively to the demonstration and discussion of iPads at the September Academic Conference ‘Engaging Students in the 21st Century.’ The Conference plenary session expressed a desire for more iPads and AV equipment in Trinity from 2011
– The ‘Step Forward’ Pilot Project raised Trinity’s global profile as an education innovator
– The market took note of the ‘Step Forward’ Pilot Project and this innovation has received positive interest from agents and parents of prospective students

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:

– Proceed with the roll out of iPads to all TCFS academic staff in 2011
– Incorporate iPad and related technology training for all TCFS staff in 2011
– Ensure sufficient staffing to service the technological and pedagogical needs of the program (including an Education Technology Manager and a dedicated IT staff member)
– Expand on the work of the original iPad trial and prepare for the full roll out of iPads to all staff and students by using iPads for August Entry 2011
– Proceed with the roll out of iPads to all TCFS students in 2012″

Stephen