How Tablets are Redefining Classroom Learning

The educational sector has always incorporated new technologies to improve learning and make it more efficient and affordable. Everything has been tried and tested, whether it be using virtual lessons, visual simulations, or digital content. 

In the midst of alternative learning methods and all the technological developments in the education sector, tablets have played an amazing role. Tablets are considered ideal solutions in the learning-delivery landscape due to their portability, versatility, functionality, and cost-effectiveness. With the appropriate settings, a reasonably-priced tablet can function just like a computer.

These interactive, user-friendly tablets help in the efficient delivery of information in classrooms. Even young students can quickly learn how to use tablets optimally, thanks to contemporary UI design methodologies.  There are numerous benefits to giving tablets to students; the following is a list of some of these benefits:

Tablets act as more than just textbooks: Tablets enable students to access enhanced e-books featuring videos, audios, and images. Students can listen to audios or watch videos on any topic instead of reading about it. This augments and promotes learning. 

Interactive delivery of information and extended learning: Using tablets in classrooms gives kids an interactive option to learn their daily lessons. Often, interactions between teachers and students in large classrooms become difficult. In other instances, students may feel a little apprehensive or shy about asking a question to the teacher in front of the class, but with tablets, students can ask the same question without any hesitation, which the teacher can answer privately. Tablets and other mobile devices are also extending the process of learning beyond the walls of the classroom to children’s homes, as they have the option of playing recorded teaching sessions.

Easy-to-create presentations: Easy integration of presentation software such as MS PowerPoint on tablets is becoming quite popular, especially for courses that are geared more toward information exchange than skill development. Tablets can be a highly effective tool for real-time writing, drawing, and animation during a presentation.

Online tests: Tablets have almost replaced desktop computers for conducting tests online. When there are a large number of students and tests have to be conducted smoothly, tablets can be used.

Access to digital library: Searching for books in a traditional library is a tedious and time-consuming task. With the help of a tablet, students can search for a book of their interest by its title and author’s name, create a wishlist of the books, and also bookmark them on their tablet. With so many apps available, teachers and students have instant access to a wealth of information from experts in their field.

Information display (school events, notices, news, exam schedules, bus schedules etc.) and sharing work: Tablets have emerged as an easy-to-use tool for communicating information among students, teachers, and parents. For example, using online shared whiteboards, students can work on shared problems.

Reduce the use of printed sheets (going green) and save cost: Tablets play a crucial role in reducing the need for textbooks and other printed materials. Digital content on tablets can easily be updated and can also potentially offer financial savings on materials and textbooks.

Challenges

Though the education sector has already adopted digitized learning methods with the help of mobile technology, there are still a few challenges that need attention. It’s easy for users to abuse these devices, so it’s challenging for school administrators to ensure the efficient use of mobile technology. For instance, students can download unauthorized applications and other prohibited content with a few taps on the screen, and there will always be a possibility of students tampering with the device settings. 

Solution

The best way for schools to avoid any device misuse and tampering with settings would be to use a solution that would lock down a device to only the required applications, websites, and other functions. Lockdown solutions such as SureLock and SureFox can restrain users and students from using unauthorized applications, visiting unauthorized websites, restricting downloads, and protecting device settings with a password without affecting device functionality.42Gears Mobility Systems offers all the necessary management and security tools that a school needs to effectively deploy and manage mobile devices. Read more about them here.