Objective: The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of how new technology is being used to help students with their studies. The main devices looked in to for the purpose of the study were smart phones, laptops/desktops computers, Personal digital assistant devices such as iPads and computer tablets.
Method: A questionnaire was designed using an online website ‘Survey Monkey'. It was distributed to undergraduate students at the University of Birmingham, Dental School. Questionnaires were completed between February and April 2013 and students were from years 1-4. Students filled out the questionnaires after their lecture ended. The age range was 19-25 years. Both males and females were included in the study.
Results: Two hundred and seventy questionnaires were completed. Laptops 55% (145) and Smart phones 34% (88) were the most popular choice of device when connecting to the net and searching information. 63% (114) students had an Apple phone and used it twice or more times a day (85%). Students preferred to have mobile websites 48% (87) and a combination of both apps and mobile websites 37% (67). The top three application ideas chosen by students that they would find most useful on their smart phones were Dictionary for dental education (70%), Multiple choice questions (61%) and description and illustrations for tools in dental practice (40%). Students strongly agreed that having the internet on their smartphones had a positive impact on their dental education (55%). For laptops, 80% students preferred to be at home when using the internet on their laptop. Email (92%) and social networks (86%) was the top two internet communication tools used most on laptops.
Conclusion: Overall laptops and smartphones are the most popular choice of device and desktop computers are the least popular (3%) and applications on smart phones are very popular.