Essay: Use of tablet computers in education

The purpose of this report is to investigate the use of tablet computers in education, developing apps and methods to integrate the use of technology within the classroom. The report will also recommend the use of smart devices in education. Smart devices such as tablets and smartphones are the most commonly used forms of technologies of the 21st century, in consequence, most schools have banned the use of smartphones and tablets. In lieu of banning smart devices, we should look to the positive side and look at it from the educational use perspective. For example, conveying educating through gamification, taking understudies on virtual field treks and utilising other internet learning assets hence improving engagement (Savvidis,2016). However, the time spent in front of screens can have its consequences as it can lead to visual or muscular problems. For instance, youngsters who utilise smart devices are in danger of potentially irreversible eye harm on account of blue light emanations from computerised devices (Ongara,2014). Besides the health issues, this report looks into the possible uses of smart devices in education. Smart devices, provide both teachers and students with a considerable amount of options to elevate their learning experience along with accommodating an interesting platform towards the teachers. Students of this era tend to count on their devices to keep them organised. This ranges from their alarms, calendars and reminders as well as cutting down on the use of litter by downloading key documents anywhere.
Tablets and smartphones are an inevitable part of our life hence making life more comfortable. For example, it has made distance no longer an issue as one can virtually meet each other. The previously mentioned devices enable students to go on virtual school trips. Thus, educators are utilising virtual reality apps like Expeditions and Discovery VR to demonstrate social understanding, worldwide mindfulness, and a historical point of view (Major,2017). Moreover, these technological devices provide educators with an opportunity to be at the forefront of growing with their students and improving their skill set. Also, “Teachers can use different apps or trusted online resources to enhance the traditional ways of teaching and to keep students more engaged” (Savvidis,2016). Furthermore, learners can grasp fundamental abilities such as critical thinking; leadership skills; communication skills; practical skills; online etiquette; solving complex problems all through technology. These are attributes that are needed in order to be successful in the near future. Realising how to fittingly utilise mobile devices is a vital perspective in this undeniably associated world (Wainwright,2012). Adding on, apps have made lessons fun and interactive for instance Kahoot, students are likely exceptionally comfortable with it, which means it tends to be connected to an exercise with a brief period to take in another application (Miller,2018).
As much as having its benefits, smart devices can also have its flaws. Previously, bullying was restricted to physical or verbal abuse but now there’s cyberbullying (any form of bullying online via smart devices). Students are now capable of embarrassing their teacher and peers all through a flick of a button. Increased rate of cyberbullying due to learners having simple access to umpteen records which leads them to enter a dark passage of harassment which has an entry but no exit at times. Authorising the use of digital devices in education could potentially lead to more of them. Besides, the use of digital devices can convert learners into inefficient learners. Numerous learners continue perusing sites to locate the most limited conceivable approach to take care of issues in Mathematics as opposed to unravelling them customarily which encourages them to gain some in-depth knowledge of the subject. Spell-checkers keeps them from taking in the right spelling thus creating an infinite amount of spelling mistakes in papers. The effect of the iPad on learning results stays uncertain (Greenfield,2015).
Bringing out a digital device out amid class used to mean likely appropriation and maybe detainment for learners sufficiently strong enough to attempt. Students should throw away the fear and look forward to the sunny smart days ahead. Smart devices construct a fun, engaging and more interactive environment. If students are really eager and engaged in learning inside of the classroom, they are likely to proceed with their learning outside of the classroom thus enabling them to do so with mobile technology. Not to mention, smartphones and tablets create a social atmosphere in lessons. Social learning is an incredible route for understudies to share data, contemplations, and thoughts regarding a matter. Properly engaged, calmer, and shyer students may bloom in a social learning circumstance made conceivable by computerised gadgets. For instance, web-based surveying and different apparatuses help to connect all students, including a timid student who would not regularly bring their hand up in class (Himmelsbach,2015). Despite being costly, smart devices are more cost-effective than textbooks. Numerous textbooks are not the most pertinent wellsprings of data. The present age has become used to fast, refreshed data. textbooks cannot furnish learners with the most recent data as cell phones can (Wainwright,2012), thus making smart devices a wise investment. With digital devices, there is no prices hikes, no dust, no damage issues, no storage issues and no surprises from textbook providers. Finally, technology can accelerate dull, tedious errands, for example, monitoring student attendance and performance (Himmelsbach,2015). Technology has impacted education in many different aspects, one of them being enhancing the students learning. The introduction of technology into the learning environment has allowed the learning to be more student-centred, to encourage group learning and invigorates an expansion in the student-teacher interaction. By the same token, digital devices enable the use of simulations in learning. It may be too costly and risky to fly a jet or spaceship in test mode, yet simulations give you the correct inclination and a portion of the required skills. Doctors, pilots and soldiers have been using simulation games for quite some time. “By using specific simulation tools, students can see planetary movements, how a tornado develops, or how dinosaurs lived” (Lynch,2017). Playing isn’t always about procrastination and distraction, games can truly inspire creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Furthermore, technology takes into consideration such flexibility in learning that it is empowering our learners to work in a more collaborative manner.
Smart devices do not only have positive impacts, but it also has negative impacts that are linked to education. One of the negative impacts is that it is a distraction. As you know that in present age social networking sites are actually administering the world with its appealing innovation. It might be hard to focus when you have in your hands a smart device that can virtually take you thousands of miles away from the stuffy classroom. Further, students can turn out to be excessively awed with the complexity of innovations and not focus on the data being spoken with splashy visuals and sound impacts (Klaus,2018). Moving on, not all students are fortunate enough to afford a digital device or have access to the internet thus allowing them to be behind in their academics. Smart device spending differs enormously across the world. A few educational institutes have the way to address the digital divide, so the majority of their students have access to technology and can enhance their mechanical abilities. In the interim, different schools still, battle with their PC to-student ratio and additionally do not have the way to furnish monetarily burdened students with loaner iPads and different gadgets so they can approach similar instruments and assets that their schoolmates have at school and at home. Nevertheless,” for these student’s, point them in the direction of libraries or community resources, or create assignments that allow them to work in groups and share resources.” (Himmelbach,2015).
The use of tablet computers, developing apps and methods to integrate the use of technology will benefit students in education. In addition, the use of virtual school trip using reality apps like Expeditions and Discovery VR has used technology to its advantage as it has eliminated distance thus saving travelling expenses. Also, learners can grasp essential life skills such as leadership skills; communication skills; practical skills; solving complex problems; online etiquette and critical thinking. Apps like Kahoot has enabled students to feel comfortable and connected. Furthermore, simulations allow he or she to practice their skills without any fear of causing damage. If the learner fails, they can retry until they succeed. Learning from a mistake is an effective way to retain knowledge. On the other hand, smart devices can attract the use of social media and texting in their hands as well as solely concentrating on their social life rather than the lesson plan. Despite the distraction, smart devices in education will benefit all those around it.