Today, many homes across the world have at least one or more tablet computers. Their stylish, clean designs and ease of operation have made them firm favorites, whether it be for online shopping, streaming the latest movies, or surfing the web. There is now a growing trend of schools across the globe starting to incorporate the use of educational tablets in the classrooms. There are numerous benefits to this new way of learning. Here are just some of the key reasons why more schools are using these devices.
They are easy to set up and maintain
In the days before advanced tech was widespread in our world, a school would choose to do most of its teaching on blackboards or by using overhead projectors. After this stage, computer rooms became commonplace in educational establishments. To this day, most schools have fully functioning computer departments. However, the setup costs and maintenance of these systems are high and will often require an in-house IT professional to keep them running effectively, especially in terms of maintaining the network and upgrading components. Educational tablets tend to be much more stable pieces of tech, their operating systems tend to be highly robust, and they only require a minimal setup. Few wires are needed (just a charging cable), and their small size means they do not take up lots of room, making them a perfect choice for any classroom.
Access to a wide variety of educational apps
Apps for tablets are being produced at a fantastic rate by developers from every country across the globe. For almost every purpose, there is now a free or paid app to satisfy our needs and to get tasks completed. This is also the case for education-specific apps that are built for today’s tablets. Apps range from teaching traditional subjects such as maths and languages to problem solving and spatial awareness. While many are suitable for classroom use, there are already some key players in the marketplace. Khan Academy offers a range of educational apps that are completely free. These focus on a broad range of academic subjects and for various school-age groups. The goal of Khan Academy is to “provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.”
Tablets encourage collaboration
Research into tablet use in the school environment has shown that these devices encourage collaboration between students. Their functionality and design help to captivate a child’s imagination, and when linked on a wireless network, teachers can effectively monitor the work rates and progress of individual students as well as the whole class in a way that was not possible before this age of technology. The task-based apps encourage discussion between students and make for a very engaging form of education. Tablets also allow newer, more innovative ways of teaching to flourish than traditional methods of repetitive teaching. There is a constant focus on interaction in this new learning environment, and as our knowledge of using tablets in educational settings increases, there is evidence emerging that tablets can be beneficial learning devices for children with disabilities.
To sum up
In an age of rapid technological advancements, the use of tablets in schools for educational purposes has found them to be a valid, engaging, and inspiring device for learning. They are inexpensive for schools, requiring minimal setup and maintenance, and encourage collaboration while allowing effective monitoring by the teacher.
