Transferring and Optimizing a Laptop-based Learning Environment for the Use on iPads

Abstract

With the growing presence of laptops, smartphones and tablets, daily life as well as professional needs are changing [1]. However, this means that mobile devices are playing an increasingly important role in schools and classrooms [2,3]. In particular, tablets are seen as a highly promising possibility to implement digital media in schools [4]. In this context, we would like to take a closer look at the use of tablets in initial chemistry classes. Therefore, we transferred a digital learning software, that had been developed for laptops, to iPads in order to optimize the learning environment through the possibilities offered by this latest innovation. This further development especially aims at the integration of experiments and a higher universal accessibility for learners in heterogeneous or inclusive learning groups. The aim of this project is to investigate the effect of the use of tablets in the following two teaching phases: During the input phase, the students work on the iPad-based learning environment. In the internalization phase, working with tablet-based tasks is compared with creating student explanatory videos regarding their impact on knowledge growth and attractiveness. In this paper, we focus the transfer of the laptop-based learning environment to iPads.