In this paper I explore the implications of the increasing social and sociable uses of new, mobile internet associated technologies (MIATs) for online learning. In particular I focus on tablet computers as at the vanguard of this shift. Drawing on discourses of technobiophilia and phatic communion, the propositions explored in this paper are that:…

Mobile technology coupled with Internet accessibility has increased not only how we communicate but also how we might engage in learning. The ubiquity of mobile technology, such as smart phones and tablet devices, makes it a valuable tool for accessing learning resources on the Internet. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology…

Many universities in the UK have recently started offering their staff and students free wireless Internet access through Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies, such as Wi-Fi. Based on a small empirical study of WLAN deployment in a university setting, the article explores adoption processes of the new technology by both the organisation…

This longitudinal study investigated the reasons that adult learners in Iceland gave for wanting to learn about the Internet, and their attitudes. Describes three research stages: identification of an analytical framework; testing of a behavioral intention model; and use of the model to identify attitudes, social influences, perceived control, and…

In this chapter the authors attempt to sketch the general outlines of the characteristics typical of students' attitudes toward the new information technologies. They touch on the following three aspects: (1) The place of the computer in the structure of leisure time of today's adolescent; (2) The role played by the new information technologies in…