A research says that almost 70% of primary and secondary schools of UK are offering tablet computers to their students. The main thought behind this initiative is that this technology will help students in learning with fast pace plus it will also leave a long lasting impact on students’ minds. But unfortunately not even a single study or research has put forward a clear evidence of academic improvement in students who are using tablets for learning. Students all across UK are readily accepting tablets as a part of their every day’s educational need because they like using technology at homes or schools. People at this age are more like to get prone towards new inventions and recent technologies. It is this fascination of modern devices that urges these students to stay immersed in technology at homes or schools. But instead of learning many students reported that they use tablets just to stay in touch with their friends on social media web sites. Dr Clarke, formerly of the University of Cambridge's education department claims that it is hard to make a definitive connection between improved results and tablets. He further says that head teachers have reported tablet’s positive impact on studies, as tablets help in engrossing those pupils in studies and motivates them to take interest in studies, which otherwise would have remained disengaged.
According to a research conducted by Barbie Clarke of the Family, Kids and Youth research group, around 68%of primary and 69% of secondary schools of UK are using tablets. However some researches also found more intense use of tablets in schools. In 9% of schools, every students has their own personal tablet. The highest rate of tablet use in schools is found in Academy schools than any other independent or state schools. Tablet use in schools has rapidly increased for a past couple of years. The number of tablet computers in schools is expected to rise from about 430,000 to almost 900,000 from 2014 to 2016. When schools who are not using tablets, were asked about their future plans, 45% among them said they would be soon introducing tablets to their students.
Simon Mason, head of Honywood Community School in Essex, is a strong advocate of tablets in schools, he says that every pupil should be given a tablet which remains the property of the school, but pupils can take them home. According to him tablets develop a sense of empowerment for young people and create an ethos in which pupils can feel trusted and valued. A study from the National Literacy Trust and Pearson suggested that touch-screen computers and tablets were particularly useful in helping boys and poorer pupils to learn to read and write. Children in poor homes are more likely to take interest in reading on a tablet rather than a printed book.
However more people believe that schools should allow students to use tablets as this would help in realizing that the school is running in present generation. The schools should function in modern ways in which rest of the world is functioning.