Limitations of the iPad as a language teaching & learning tool as perceived by the teachers and students of two further education colleges in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The United Arab Emirates is not alone in choosing the iPad for its classrooms - many other countries are doing the same. The rush to buy iPads seems to be preceding careful planning and preparation that is essential to the success of educational technology tools. Despite its versatility, the iPad has limitations. The study examined the limitations of the iPad as perceived by the teachers and students in the Foundations Program of the Fujairah Men’s College and Fujairah Women’s College. The study employed a case study design. The data for this research were collected by means of two online surveys involving the Foundations Program’s teachers and students, six class observations and five interviews of the teachers who conducted the classes. In addition, two surveys – one for the teachers and one for the students – were conducted to obtain further data. The study finds that the new technology has limitations as a pedagogical and learning tool.  Some of these limitations are related to technical aspects such as the small touch screen and the lack of central filing system, which make the iPad less than ideal for writing practice and efficient file management.  Others are related to the potential of the new technology to distract learners and take them away from the task at hand such as the plethora of game apps and the easy access to e-mail and the Internet.