iPads coffee & cake: becoming experts together. Informal learning at the University of Southampton

The iPad (& Alternative Devices) Coffee Club has successfully brought together an informal support structure for individuals who are interested in using iPads within their academic and professional working lives at the University of Southampton. This paper specifically looks at the informal environment for the adoption of this technology and refers to how, despite the university not specifically having an implementation policy, the iPad has become the most popular tablet used by academics and professional service staff. A mixed-methods approach was undertaken to identify the impact that these events were having on staff and students professional and personal lives. Information we obtained allowed us to gather feedback to make changes to the existing structure. The monthly sessions are based around social, informal learning and this paper provides detail on how they have been organised and developed, discussing additional support and concludes that the informal network could be developed nationally to provide a network of Coffee Clubs to enable staff and students to become experts together