Abstract
Whilst portable computers, such as laptops, notepads, personal assistants or smart phones, are now ubiquitous, their value as a tool in a learning environment is still an issue of considerable debate. This research studied the use of laptops as a learning tool in a traditional lecture for computer science students. A quantitative survey was conducted to analyse the readiness of the students and their perceptions of this form of mobile learning, as well as the effect of their demographics and readiness on the effectiveness of using laptops in lectures. The results show that students' readiness level was high as majority of the respondents owned laptops and were willing to take it to lectures. The students' perceptions of this form of learning were tested on six critical parameters derived from the literature, which include, increasing engagement, improving learning, encouraging collaboration, potential of distraction, ubiquity of laptops and using laptops for non-educational tasks. Overall, students felt that using laptops as a learning tool during lectures had positive benefits for increasing engagement, encouraging collaboration and improving learning potential, butt here was also the perception that laptops could distract students during lectures.