Running Head: TABLETS IN SCHOOLS

Tablets in Schools and the Impacts they encourage

Sara R. Sandelin
College of Southern Nevada
Education 214
Professor Blake
04/19/15

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Abstract

This paper will explore some of the many reasons for having tablets in the classroom. I will
discuss the benefits tablets have, a variety of ways to use them, as well as certain impacts that
arise from having tablets in the classroom. Considering this generation is more technological
than any before it, schools need to change the way they teach. Todays students learn differently
than its predecessors due to the constant exposure of emerging technologies (Coffey, n.d.).
Teachers will be able to encourage learning through fun and interact ways like game based
learning and e-books, in result they can be provided a more engaged group of students. I will
discuss how versatile and mobile tablets are and the many ways teachers can use them in their
classrooms while still being cost effective for the school district. I also discuss the impact that
tablets have to students and teachers, as well as special need students.
Keywords: tablets, e-books, game based learning, emerging technology

TABLETS IN SCHOOLS

Tablets in Schools and the Impacts they encourage

There are many emerging technologies entering our world, as well as our classrooms. I
am very excited to learn and utilize some of these terrific tools. Specifically, I am excited to see
tablets in classrooms. I feel that tablets in education are making impacts on how students learn
and how teachers are able to teach in an engaging and exciting way to better the students for their
future. Tablets are very common to have and use. According to Neumann and Neumann (2013),
studies show that more than half of eight year olds and younger have access to touch screen
devises at home like tablets. Of those children, eleven percent used the devises on average forty
three minutes a day. Tablets play a very important role in childrens cognitive learning and will
continue to do so (Neumann et al, 2013). In my research for this paper, I have found that not only
do students respond well to using technology, they also learn better using specific devises and
software. In this paper, I will discuss the benefits of having tablets in the classroom, multiple
ways they can be used in the classroom and the impacts that they offer to the teachers and
students.
Benefits to Tablets
There are many benefits to using tablets in the classroom instead of desktop computers. I
would like to focus on a few of these that I thought were most prevalent for issues that I find we
face in todays schools.
Versatility. Touch screen tablets provide a shape that is conducive to young children, yet
can still be used and favored by young adults and adults. They are light and durable and the
screen encourages motor skills. Tablets are mobile so no one feels tied down to one location.

TABLETS IN SCHOOLS

Student can take the tablet with them to do research, take pictures for art projects or to read.
Tablets are very versatile and user friendly.
Cost effective. Tablets are also cost effective. Computers and laptops are fairly
expensive and are not as versatile. In searching BestBuy.com, I found a tablet for as low as $42.
The least expensive desktop I found was $289. That would result in six tablets per desktop.
Considering that most apps on tablets are free or very inexpensive, the cost for a tablet is a great
difference from a desktop.
Variety of Apps. The apps on tablets are definitely plentiful. There are apps for different
levels of education, different subjects and different methods of learning. Studies show that
children three to six were able to quickly use the stylus on a tablet to paint a picture on drawing
apps and trace letters on other apps (Neumann et al, 2013).
Control. Control over what the students do on the tablet is another benefit. With
desktops and laptops, teachers find it difficult to see what the students are doing online.
Considering all the multitude of distractions online: Facebook, e-mail, web surfing, etc., having
no barrier of a computer screen the students have a harder time exploring on their own (LeverDuffy and McDonald, 2011). Teachers also have the capability of adding whichever app or game
that is appropriate for their age group and subject. Barriers can be authorized against specific
web sites not approved by the teacher. Teachers can also modify the selection of an app by
making sure that it has a high level of interactivity to engage the student, involves the subject
matter, involves constructive peer collaboration, etc. (Neumann et al, 2013).
Uses in the Classroom
There are many options and ways to integrate tablets in every grade level. Considering

TABLETS IN SCHOOLS

that they are so cost effective and versatile, I would like to discuss some ways this technology is
a benefit to the students and teacher.
Special Needs Students. When teachers are considering to use technology in the
classroom they need to make sure that it will be functional and accessible to all of the students,
even the ones with impairments (Carrinski, 2011). It is important to have equality in learning
which is why tablets are making their way into the classroom. According to Carrinski, schools
must comply with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disability Act when introducing any emerging technology, including e-books, into classrooms
(2011). Tablets have many functions that encourage people with disabilities to use. The touch
screen makes it easier for children who have physical impairments and cannot control a mouse
(Duffy et al, 2011). The text to speech functionality really helps the vision impaired to be able to
utilize the e-books (Carrinski, 2011).
E-books. E-books can be used on all tablets through apps such as Kindle or Nook.
According to Duffy et al, e-books can store and display many digital books, while the software
allows you to take digital notes on segments you read about (2011). Not only can the students
download all their textbooks and carry them around on one devise; but students would also be
able to access an online dictionary to look up specific words, find specific segments using the
search tool and highlight on the screen certain text that they want to go back to. E-books will
make a students life easier to have all of their textbooks in one spot to read wherever they are.
Considering most students are on the go, mobile technology encourages them to be able to access
data on these devises wherever they are (Mirriaha & Alonzo, 2015). Libraries are also influenced
by e-books. Students will be able to download library books with a student ID number and a
push of a button on their tablet. Research will be easier for students and book downloads will be

TABLETS IN SCHOOLS

more cost effective for school libraries. Lending an electronic book that can be returned
automatically will save the student time and the library could make a deal with publisher to have
a short market lend until contract is renewed (Harris, 2013). This will cut down the stock of titles
that will not be needed when it is outdated and replaced with newer books.
Game Based Learning. The recent generation of students have had access to technology
throughout their lives. Due to this access, it is thought that todays students think and process
information differently than their predecessors (Coffey, n.d.). Studies done on second graders
with specific settings and controls, dealing directly with game based learning, showed that
technology based learners outperformed paper based learners. The study also showed that techbased game learning influenced the students knowledge in math (Shin, Sutherland, Norris &
Soloway, 2012). This can be a very effective learning tool because it engages and motivates
students. There are different kind of game based learning that can be specifically chosen for the
curriculum. According to Duffy et al, game based learning is often received well from learners
because the game component adds an element of interest and entertainment (2011). Some
opponents of games in the curriculum argue that the entertainment value may take away for the
lesson (Duffy et al, 2011). Others feel that the games engage the students while they are learning
and motivating them to learn more (Duffy et al, 2011).
Impacts
There are many impacts that tablets will have in the classroom setting. Students, as well
as teachers will see a difference. Not only with all of the tools and freedom of learning that the
tablet offers in the classroom; but also with the changing learning styles of students, and the
quality of education that is being given from teachers.

TABLETS IN SCHOOLS

Student Impacts. With all the different students a teacher has, it is impossible to engage
everyone equally. Considering that most students have had access to technology throughout their
lives and are drawn to it, tablets in the classroom makes sense that it would engage the students.
Not only will the lesson encourage learning to operate the tablet and software correctly; but also
include the lesson at hand. Depending on the different tools that the teacher offers, whether it be
e-books, game based learning, virtual note taking, etc., students will be excited to use and
explore the tablet.
Tablets in schools bring a sense of equality in learning. Considering that lower
socioeconomic groups cannot always afford technology in their household, having tablets be an
option in school would encourage an equal educational environment. In Cherry Valley, all
students in K-2nd have access to IPADs. This had a distinct impact on two poverty stricken
schools (Jones, 2012). According to Jones, the schools superintendent said that when the school
only had computers the curriculum was cumbersome. Since they switched to IPADs the
versatility and mobility engages the students, as well as puts the students on an equal learning
level due to the wide variety of educational apps available (2012). This will also help the
students when they leave the school environment to have had some teaching of the technology
that is impacting the world as we know it.
Teacher Impacts. Teachers are also impacted with tablets in the classroom. Tablets offer
them a freedom of interactive teaching. They are able to have students submit assignments
through word processing documents and grade them immediately on the tablet, they are able to
set up varieties of activities for the students and if the tablets are connected to a classroom
display devise the tablet can be used to share images to the display (Duffy et al, 2011).

TABLETS IN SCHOOLS

Considering the tablets are so small and flat, there is no barrier of a monitor and the teacher is
able to see the students while teaching the lesson.
Feedback is also another impact. Considering that many apps will allow the students to
interact with the teacher and other students, the teacher will often be able to receive feedback
during the lesson to what the students understand and do not. They will have the option to further
discuss the curriculum or modify it to make more sense to the students.
The next huge impact that I have discussed throughout this paper is students will be
motivated and engaged. If the students are enjoying what they are learning it will make teaching
them easier. Students that are bored or apathetic about the lesson makes teaching more difficult.
Considering the plethora of information that teachers are required to give the students, it would
be more effective if the students were engaged.
Conclusion
In conclusion, technology is changing how everything is done. Of course, it is also
changing the teaching methods in schools. Tablets make a huge impact in school because of all
that they offer. There are many benefits, uses and impacts that tablets offer. They are cost
effective and versatile while offering a variety of educational apps that can provide an equal
playing field for students. The benefits impact students and teachers by motivating and engaging
students. Though more studies need to be done to further evaluate the educational impacts on
learning through tablet use and the negatives of not doing studies without technology, I feel that
tablets offer great incentives to students and teachers in schools.

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References

Carrinski, A (2011). Ensuring emerging classroom technologies are ADA complaint. Leadership,
41(1), 1-1.
Coffey, H. (n.d.). Digital game-based learning. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4970

Desktop Packages. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2015, from http://www.bestbuy.com/site/alldesktops/desktoppackages/pcmcat212600050011.c?id=pcmcat212600050011&nrp=15&c

p=1&sp= currentpriceskuidsaas
Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2011). Digital Technologies in the Classroom. In Teaching and
learning with technology. Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions.
Harris, C. (2013). Ebooks. School Library Journal, 59(1). Retrieved April 17, 2015, fro
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u/d ocview/1266782187?accountid=27953
Jones, L. (2012). Tablets lead the charge in classroom innovation. Arkansas Business, 29(29).
Retrieved April 20, 2015.
Mirriahi, N., & Alonzo, D. (2015). Shedding light on students' technology preferences:
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Practice, 12(1).
Neumann, M., & Neumann, D. (2013). Touch Screen Tablets and Emergent Literacy. Early
Childhood Education Journal, 42, 231-239. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
Shin, N., Sutherland, L., Norris, C., & Soloway, E. (2012). Effects of game technology on
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43(4). Retrieved April 20, 2015.

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Zeepad - 4 GB Tablet - 7" - Wireless LAN - Rockchip Cortex A9 RK3026 1.50 GHz - Green.
(n.d.).Retrieved April 20, 2015, from http://www.bestbuy.com/site/zeepad-4-gb-tablet7wireless-an-rockchip-cortex-a9-rk3026-150g hzgreen/1311150668.? id=mp1311150668
&skuld=13115068