Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY) BlackBerry PlayBook Tablets Changing the Learning Experience

When most people think about Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) BlackBerry, the first thing that comes to mind is the company’s lineup of smartphones. However, it appears that its PlayBook tablet is making a name for itself in the education space in Canada.

This is somewhat of a surprise, being that BlackBerry does not have much of a presence in the tablet market. Instead, the company has been putting most of its time and money into the smartphone market that it once dominated.

Research in Motion Ltd. (BBRY)According to a recent report by the company’s official blog, engineering students at Dalhousie University are taking full advantage of the Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) PlayBook.

The reason for this is simple: first year engineering students received one of these tablets when the school year started last year. This is something that professors immediately took advantage of, thanks to the fact that every student in the classroom had the ability to stay connected.

George Jarjoura, one of the many professors taking full advantage, had this to say:

“Given its ultra portability and power, the PlayBook has given the students the ability to interact with professors at an unprecedented level.”

As you can see, this professor, along with many others, is excited about what the Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) PlayBook has to offer and how it has changed the learning experience for the better.

With this in mind, it will be interesting to see if the university begins to offer the same deal to other departments.

Jarjoura goes on to add the following:

“For some first year students, participation during the question period is very intimidating, especially in large classes with hundreds of students. With the PlayBooks, students could ask questions, submit answers and interact with me in real time, as I lecture.”

As you can see, the Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) PlayBook has changed the way that engineering students at this university ask questions and communicate with professors. All in all, it is a change for the better.

What does the future hold? Thanks to the success of the pilot program last year, it appears that the school is going to stick with the idea moving forward.

Jarjoura commented on how students approach this way of learning:

“Students told me that they quite liked having e-books and notes together – and that they could attend and participate in my lectures from wherever they were. The success and popularity of the program means we’re eager to continue.”

For now, there is no second guessing this program. The Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) PlayBook has changed the way engineering students at Dalhousie University are learning.