title: Exploring the use of tablet PCs in veterinary medical education: opportunity or obstacle?
abstract: A tablet PC is a laptop computer with a touch screen and a digital pen or stylus that can be used for handwritten notes and drawings. The use of tablet PCs has been investigated in many disciplines such as engineering, mathematics, science, and education. The purpose of this article is to explore student and faculty attitudes toward and experiences with tablet PCs 6 years after the implementation of a tablet PC program in the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Kansas State University (K-State). This study reports that the use of tablet PCs has enhanced students' learning experiences through learner-interface interaction, learner-content interaction, learner-instructor interaction, and learner-learner interaction. This study also identifies digital distraction as the major negative experience with tablet PCs during class time. The tablet PC program provides CVM faculty the potential to pursue technology integration strategies that support expected learning outcomes and provides students the potential to develop self-monitoring and self-discipline skills that support learning with digital technologies.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bonnie R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilkerson
authors.forename: Deon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van der Merwe
mesh_terms: D001292:Attitude to Computers; D004520:Education, Veterinary; D005178:Faculty; D007615:Kansas; D007858:Learning; D008838:Microcomputers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: digital distraction; interaction; tablet PC; technology; veterinary medical education