Tablets have definitely become a part of
classrooms these days and lots of schools have recognized their potential in
education, integrating these technologies into their classroom curricula.
Indeed they have changed the education
landscape and are being used in a multitude of ways to enrich the learning
process and breakdown barriers.
Truth is, just as with every other
technology, there are both pros and cons to complementing a traditional
education with tablet-based exercises and activities. But, since we think that
the pros outweigh the cons, we’re just going to get into the pros (for obvious
reasons)!
But first, check out this video of how the Cobalt was made for UK school a few months back:
Before we get to the pros that you’re so eager to read, did you know that:
- A 4GB tablet
filled with 3,500 e-books weighs a billionth of a billionth of a gram more than
if it were empty of data - a difference that is approximately the same weight
as a molecule of DNA. The same number of physical books would weigh about two
tons?
- Manufacturing
one tablet requires the extraction of 33 pounds of minerals, 79 gallons of
water, and 100 kilowatt hours of fossil fuels resulting in 66 pounds of carbon
dioxide?
- Students who
used an interactive, digital version of an Algebra 1 textbook in California's
Riverside Unified School District in 2012 scored 20 percent higher on
standardized tests vs. students who learned with print textbooks?
- During the
2011-12 school year more than 13,700 US children, aged 5 to 18, were treated in
hospitals and doctors' offices for backpack-related injuries (5,000 in
emergency rooms) such as contusions, sprains, fractures, and strains to the
back and shoulders?
Finally, here are some of the pros we piled up for you:
The Cetrix Cobalt Tablet
allows children to access an interactive
and stimulating environment, in which teachers can use a combination of
different learning modalities (visual, auditory and kinaesthetic).
Better engagement – Every teacher recognizes the value of
engagement and its vital role in enhancing knowledge retention, increasing
stimulation and improving learning abilities.
A vast library of
resources - With thousands of apps, students and
teachers have instant access to a wealth of information from experts in their
fields. For example, Khan Academy has a variety of high quality lecturers on a
range of curriculum subjects and the Encyclopedia Britannica app allows you to
explore an array of knowledge in an easy to use digital format.
The Cetrix Cobalt Tablet
is being used to reduce the need for
heavy textbooks and the production of reams of printed material. Digital
content can be updated continuously and has the ability to include hyperlinks
and videos. It can also potentially offer financial savings on textbooks and
materials.
Improving STEM
skills - The use of apps and gaming techniques
in the classroom can aid understanding of complex concepts and the development
of science, technology, engineering and maths skills (STEM). According to the
Department for Education, two of the largest studies in the UK looking at ICT’s
impact on attainment have found there are statistically significant positive
relationships between the use of ICT and achievement in these core areas.
Engaging the hard
to reach - Technology is seen
as increasing students’ confidence and motivation by making school work more
enjoyable. A student’s attitude and involvement in learning changes as it is
considered as fun and not regular education.
Preparing students
for the workplace - The ability to
confidently use technology in the 21st century is a necessary skill in most
workplaces. Using digital tools on a daily basis in schools will further
develop the learners’ abilities to use the technology they are likely to
encounter in their future careers.
The touch interface is user-friendly to
both pupils and teachers – this is especially relevant in the case of older
teachers, who might find this kind of technology challenging. Contrasted with
laptops, tablets are much more intuitive to use.
Tablets simply
make learning fun – children love
to interact with technological devices and thanks to specialized apps that
focus on different aspects of learning (simple math exercises, listening to
stories, learning the alphabet) they can benefit during play, too.
The Cetrix Cobalt Tablet
offers audio-visual tools (camera, voice
and video recording), which can be used creatively in the classroom with the
help of various apps.
The Cetrix Cobalt Tablet
promotes creativity – there's a myriad
of creative apps out there to help children acquire skills like drawing,
composition and video editing. All of these make children active creators,
instead of passive consumers of knowledge.
The Cetrix Cobalt Tablet
can help in learning to read. By
featuring e-books with text markers, children will be able to read without the
constant aid of the teacher.
Well now that you
know all the pros, leave us a comment about what you think about #TabletUseInSchools
or you can tweet us @cetrix.
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