2012/13 Education Reform: Tablet PCs And Apple IPads Enters The Academic Institutions

Tablet computing has been in existence for quite a while and has come in numerous guises, from PDA's as well as portable products to touchscreen display laptops, tablet computers and most recently 'Post-PC' Devices.

Whilst tablet pc's have apparent advantages for use in educational facilities, implementing, monitoring and controlling them calls for meticulous planning and consideration. It is likely that new tools will be needed in addition to a change in how they are utilized and supported.

In the last several years, our teachers have learned to recognize technology as an aid to improving student learning through the use of online classroom resources, community forums, blogs as well as discussion boards.

Are you bored with seeing kids weighed down with books? We're getting close to the $99 durable, simple book reader and running out of reasons to carry dead trees forward and backward to school.

Tablet pcs, particularly the iPad, have introduced plenty of excitement in the manner people learn and share course materials with others. iPad acts as an excellent collaboration tool for real-time conversation, interaction, chatting, and sharing of learning materials and images with fellow class mates.

Computer use also needs to be taught to kids early. Mastering Microsoft office is critical. Ask them to write their journal on the pc for instance, get them to play around using PowerPoint when they have school projects, show them Publisher, etc. All these are vital skills.

The actual iPad allows teachers new and creative methods to engage students. Teachers can use the best tablet computer for kids mirroring features in order to display notes along with other content in front of the actual class on a projector. The teacher may then save those notes and easily send them to all of the pupils.

Many teachers are using YouTube and such other popular social publishing tools to make their classes highly engaging. For example, after you decide the topic that you would teach the next day, go to YouTube and search for videos on the chosen topic. Then download the videos to your kids tablet computers to use them in the class the next day.

Tablet technology may evolve and change rapidly, far faster compared to we have seen with previous technology. From simple replacement of printed material, to the engaging and interactive world of new apps, change will come rapidly and with it we may well be in a position to finally understand the 'one device per child' scenario, linking a digital divide forever.