‘Tablets’ in the classroom

‘Tablets’ or electronic tablets They have been used in schools for years, and more and more educational centers are introducing their use in their classrooms. It is known that these devices are a useful technological resource in many fields, but are they suitable for activities and related contents to the teaching and learning process?

A tablet or ‘tablet’ is a portable electronic device without a keyboard or mouse, larger than a mobile phone (between 7 and 12 inches) with a touchscreen and multiple features similar to those of a computer, allowing surf the web, send and receive e-mail, function as a GPSread e-books, play music and watch audiovisual content.

“This device is a remarkable demonstration of how electronic and digital technologies can benefit learning, in the field of upbringing and education in general, and especially in primary and secondary education”, it is stated Veronika Catedianoresponsible for the communication of the technology company SPC (https://www.spc.es).

“The use of technological devices in education enables the content to be focused from an interactive point of view, so that students can learn through gamesaudiovisual material or activities that require their active participation”, says Cadiano.

Explain what a lot of primary and secondary school students “They are already used to using ‘tablets’ in their free time, whether it’s watching videos on YouTube or to play, so it’s a natural environment for them associated with moments of play.”

“This allows them to be more open to use tablet school and that they do not perceive it strictly as ‘homework’ or something similar to a textbook, the connotations of which can be negative for some students who perceive it as an obligation or something boring”, he comments.

Advantages of interactivity

For Catediano, one of the main advantages of using ‘tablets’ in class is interactivity.

“Students become part of it dynamics of the learning process, since this device enables interaction with the content; this translates into better retention of the curriculum and frictionless learning,” he points out.

“Children usually want to play. If we use digital leisure tools for their learning, we will reach them by speaking to them in their own language, i.e. using the technology they are familiar with. known and also They like it,” he says.

In fact, there are ‘tablet’ models that include a smart pen, an accessory that facilitates interaction with the device for creative tasks, as it allows you to take notes, make notes on text or create diagrams, in addition to functioning as a notebook digital where the student can draw, according to Catedian.

Note that this interactivity digitally encourages students’ ability for making decisions when using the device.

Using a ‘tablet’ also helps improve teamwork, according to Catedian, explaining that “by creating collaborative and competitive environments and use different multimedia resources, students develop a better understanding of what they read, visual or auditory”.

“It is, therefore, a more versatile, richer and more complete learning”, he summarizes.

Choose the right device

Catediano believes that when buying a ‘tablet’ for learning, parents must take care that the device is light because the children will have to carry it in a backpack to school every day, and it is also robust and can withstand shocks, drops or even spilled liquid.

Another aspect to evaluate is device storage capacity and capability expand, via an external micro SD card, considering that students will have to keep the ‘tablet’ and ‘application’ and various school materials in their memory, as he explains.

It is also important to consider battery life, from ‘tablet’ It must have great autonomy so that it can be used intensively throughout the school day,” he adds.

In order to achieve optimal and fluid performance, the ‘tablet’ must have a powerful processor and enough RAMwhich enables quick access to applications and multitasking without lag or interruption, which in turn will improve efficiency and productivity in the studio, he adds.

According to this expert, it is also recommended that the ‘tablet’ has a large and high-quality screen, and that it has a monitoring system, for parents and for the educational environment, with the aim of minors communicating with the security it offers parental or school control systems.

Finally, it is advisable to buy a case for the ‘tablet’ for school use, because in addition to protecting the device, it is very useful to put it on the table and watch videos and interactive and audiovisual presentations, concludes Catediano.