Can Tablets Help to Create a Better Learning Environment?

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Nowadays, modern technology has become an integral part of every aspect of our lives. So why should education be an exception? With the advent of online learning, laptops, tablets and smartphones have made their way into our classrooms. Although there may be some sceptics, but the fact is using devices like tablets are making the learning experience better for our students.

Should Tablets Be Allowed In Classrooms?

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Why not? Technology has now become a major part of our classrooms. With the help of tablets students can easily access and share educational content which will help them to learn better. Tablets can make education more interesting and enhance engagement between teachers and students. Devices like these can increase student participation and enable them to become more proactive. Using various interactive features, offered by tablets, our students can check their learning and share their progress with fellow classmates.

According to studies, 81 per cent of teachers believe that tablets can help to improve the learning experience. Moreover, 86 per cent of students have said that tablets can undoubtedly enable them learn more effectively. It was also found that 87 per cent of teachers think that digital devices like tablets can improve motivation, independent thinking, creativity, digital literacy and understanding of study material.

It is true that tablets, along with a reliable internet connection, can enable students to conduct research without even leaving their classrooms (or homes) as they can access virtual libraries simply by swiping their fingers. Moreover teachers can demonstrate topics by projecting and manipulating 3-D illustrations and objects on screen. It is only with the use of tablets that students now carry lighter backpacks and dogs are unable to eat their homework.

How Can Tablets Improve The Classroom?

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Several studies show that using technology in classrooms can help in creating an enhanced learning environment. It cannot be denied that there is a chance students might get distracted by all the features offered by tablets, but when used properly under close supervision of teachers, tablets can actually help students to learn in an interactive way.

Here I have mentioned how tablets can help students in the classroom. Tablets can-

• Improve their motivation to learn


• Help them to search, share and publish information


• Encourage collaboration


• Tablets will develop IT skills in students from an early age


• Help to develop a more personalised learning approach


• Provide more flexibility and convenience regarding place and time


• Inspire creativity


• Improve communication among students (via online forums etc)

On the other hand, there are many benefits of using tablets for teachers as well. Tablets in classrooms can-

• Help in classroom organisation and management


• Transform/Modify the role of the class teachers


• Help in student evaluation and assessment


• Develop IT skills in teachers


• Improve quality of study material


• Make teaching more effective by using audio and visual aid


• Help to create a unique teaching approach

You can argue that there are several ill-effects of using tablets in the classroom, but you cannot deny that the advantages outweigh the negative aspects by a large margin. This simple digital tool offers numerous academic-based functions like -

• Word Processing


• Camera


• Image, Video and Document Viewing


• Interactive Educational Games


• Online Library


• Presentation


• Printing wirelessly


• E-books


• Internet Connection, and


• Others

Tablets are certainly a great and much less expensive option for students and schools to utilise technology to enhance education. In the recent future, devices like these will enable motivated students and trained teachers to engage in much deeper and more efficient learning experiences.