We want to provide evidence that tablets improve attainment. Tablets for Schools commissioned independent research to define the impact of tablets in UK secondary schools.

This research took place between September 2011 and July 2012 and investigated the feasibility of providing tablets to secondary schools. It covered:

• Pupil and teacher benefit
• Pupil learning
• Potential risks including safety and security
• Cost
• Acceptance by pupils, teachers and parents.

A scoping review was also carried out to establish what has happened globally within education where one-to-one tablet devices are in use. The research highlighted the decision making process for schools including funding mechanisms, the impact on learning and teaching, what facilitated the successful adoption of tablets, perceived benefits and concerns.

Nationwide quantitative research was also conducted amongst 1,120 parents, 933 children and 202 teachers about the use of digital devices, and the notion of introducing one-to-one tablets in secondary schools in the UK.

Key findings
Executive summary
Full presentation
Final Report
International review

What’s happening now?

This research provides vital insights into the benefits of adopting tablets in schools and now we’re taking it further.

Our Stage 2 Research involves eight secondary schools across a range of devices and platforms all at different stages of their tablet journey. It focuses mainly on Year 7 students.

Stage 2 starts in January 2013 and will continue until September 2013. It will continue to look at the impact and benefits of using tablets in schools especially in relation to students’ attainment and will cover the following areas:

Teacher, pupil & parent engagement and Pedagogy (changes in teaching, the impact on pupil attainment, engagement as well as benefits for SEN and parental engagement)

Hardware

• Security
• Functions
• Robustness
• Training (teachers, pupils, parents).

Content (how do teachers and pupils create and adapt content, where are the gaps, what is the best content for schools out there?)

Infrastructure and Funding (how schools cope with the extra demand on band width, funding models)

Pedagogy - to include teacher perception, changes in teaching style, new teaching models, teacher training, teacher-pupil relations

Tablets for Schools is working with the AQA Examination Board to ascertain improvement in performance pre- and post the introduction of tablets amongst Year 7 students. This will be done by way of an assessment tool and we will share these results in September 2013.