Individual access to mobile devices has increased dramatically in recent years, and faculty and students are beginning to use smartphones and tablets to support teaching and learning. This correlational study surveys faculty and students at a private, liberal arts university to better understand perceptions about the devices for use in an academic setting. Student and faculty responses are compared using adopter categories and innovation attributes developed by Rogers’ (2003) diffusion of innovations.
Two survey instruments were developed for this study. The Faculty Smartphone and Tablet Diffusion of Innovations (FSTDIS) and Student Smartphone and Tablet Diffusion of Innovations (SSTDIS) were created based on a previous survey aimed at faculty adoption of a course management system. The surveys were sent to approximately 250 faculty members and between 1,700 and 1,900 students. Results from the surveys were used to address four research questions comparing faculty and students, as well as perceptions of the value of smartphones and tablets in higher education.
Findings from this study can be used by university administrators to increase the adoption of mobile devices for academic purposes. Rogers’ (2003) diffusion of theory provides a framework for technology adoption in organizations.
Committee
William Ingle (Advisor)
Rachel Reinhart (Committee Member)
Allison Goedde (Committee Member)
Chris Wolverton (Committee Member)
Pages
158 p.
Subject Headings
Educational Leadership; Educational Technology; Higher Education; Higher Education Administration; Technology
Keywords
mobile technology; smartphones; tablets; liberal arts; higher education; diffusion of innovations; diffusion theory; digital divide; technology adoption;
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