Acceptance of Tablet PC Technology by Engineering Faculty

This paper considers the results of a two-year project in which Tablet PCs were given to engineering faculty at the Pennsylvania State University. During Phase 1, 34 faculty members received a Tablet PC for use in the classroom. Due to the success of this implementation and demand by other faculty, the project was expanded in the following year to include an additional 30 faculty members in the College of Engineering. During both phases of the project, the participants were asked to complete various assessment tools including scales measuring teaching efficacy, computer skills efficacy, and technology acceptance. A sample of the faculty members participated in interviews intended to gather additional information on their perceptions of the Tablet PC and its benefit in the classroom environment. This paper provides results of the project assessment and its relation to the literature on the diffusion of innovation and the Technology Acceptance Model. Implications of the assessment will be discussed that may be helpful to those who are interested in implementing a similar program for engineering faculty.