Almost 70% of primary and secondary schools in the UK now use tablet computers, according to research.
What is more, giving a tablet computer to every school child can have a big impact on improving pupils’ motivation to learn and encourage independent study, research has found.
The effect is impressive as long as teachers are well trained before using tablets in class and schools invest in extra broadband and wi-fi capacity, the study also noted.
Despite the increase in the numbers of computers in schools, the study shows that hands on access for pupils remains limited. However, allowing pupils to play with and explore new tools could enhance their motivation to think, understand, learn and conceptualise in new and more creative ways.
The study, commissioned by education technology charity Tablets for Schools, looked at a representative sample of 671 state and independent schools. It found that tablets are now being used, at least to some extent, in 68% of primary and 69% of secondary schools, according to the study headed by Dr. Barbie Clarke of the Family, Kids and Youth research group.
What is more, researchers found examples of much more intensive use. For example , in 9% of schools, there was an individual tablet device for every pupil.
Interesting when you make the comparison that approximately 70% of young people have access to a tablet computer at home
The highest use of tablet computers was within academy schools – much greater than in independent schools or other types of state schools.
The underlying trend is for an increasing number of tablet computers in schools – among those not using them at present, 45% reported that they would soon be likely to introduce them.
Between 2014 and 2016, the number of tablet computers in schools is expected to at least double from approximately 430,000 to estimates of somewhere in the region of 900,000 devices!
However, Dr. Clarke, formerly of the University of Cambridge’s education department, says it is not possible to make a definitive connection between tablet computers and improved results. This is because currently researchers cannot definitively isolate the impact of technology as the specific cause of a rise in attainment. Nonetheless, according to Dr. Clarke head teachers are reporting a positive impact from the use of tablets in the educational environment.
What is more, there is growing evidence that tablets may help to motivate pupilswho might otherwise be disengaged – and furthermore when pupils take home tablet computers it increases the involvement of families.
Dr. Clarke says that the role of technology is going to grow in schools. “The type of device might change, but it’s not going to go away. It will almost seem ridiculous if some of them are not using technology,” she said.
An early pioneer and adopter of ‘a tablet for every pupil’ is Loughborough High School (part of the Loughborough Endowed Schools). In the 2013/14 academic year they completed an impressive 1:1 iPad rollout for every pupil.
They are running an interactive one-day event on 10th February 09:30-4:30pm to share some of the issues involved in 1:1 iPad deployment for School Leaders, Network Managers, Bursars and Governors with a Keynote speaker from Apple UK Education. During this one-day event, school leaders and staff will share their vision and their journey so far:
More information can be found in the Conference Brochure
http://www.leshigh.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Loughborough-High-School-Tablet-Conf-leaflet.pdf
Reserve your place at ‘A tablet for every pupil conference’ by completing the online form
http://endowedschools.com/ocd.aspx?action=showReunion&reunionName=TabletforEveryPupilConference
Register for the event and you will:
- Hear from the Headmistress, Bursar and Director of Studies about governance and finance issues, and the school’s decision making process
- Receive technical insights from their IT Director and Network Services team, with learning points for each stage of the deployment
- Learn how iPads are used by staff and pupils, with an opportunity to hear more about the later roll out at the prep school
- Meet organisations they have collaborated with to deliver their vision
- Find out what steps they have taken since the deployment to further enhance teaching, learning and organisation
At Evoke Telecom we work with schools and colleges in the local community to help them achieve their visionary goals and technological improvements with the underlying mission to improve student outcomes and ensure technology is used as an effective enabler. Whilst the adoption of a tablet for every pupil is a growing and almost inevitable trend, so are the companies in the marketplace that offer expensive and not always best advice and solutions on how to upgrade and improve network infrastructure to accommodate this technology. The experienced team at Evoke, specialise in working with schools looking to deploy tablets, other network dependent solutions and the necessary supportive technologies. We offer good, sound, honest, no obligation advice as to how best achieve the desired outcome in the most cost effective and robust way.
Speak to one of the Evoke team today on 0800 8403688 or 01509 278278 for more information.
