Use of Tablets in Blended Learning: A case study of an institution of higher learning in Kenya.

Abstract

The tablet has been introduced as a tool for learning in Institutions of Higher Learning in Kenya. Due to this introduction there was a need to carry out research that highlights the potential benefits and drawbacks in the use of tablets for learning in an Institution of Higher Learning. The objective of this research was to investigate the learners’ perceived benefits and challenges on the introduction of tablets in blended learning in Higher Education. Purposive sampling was used to select learners who had received their learning materials through these tablets. The findings revealed that the tablets were highly accepted as a learning device due to their convenience and it was noted that there were some learner factors such as work schedules influenced their use. It was noted that learners experienced hardware, software and instructional design challenges in their use of these tablets. Tablet features, instructor availability, the quality of learning recourses were some of the areas which needed improvement