Tablets and iPads- are they worth the investment?

More and more schools and students are using tablets and other similar devices in their lessons. These devices are expensive but they offer new ways of learning, taking notes and solving exercises. Are they really worth it? And what advantages do tablets offer compared to conventional computers?

Tablet Features

Several tablets have been on the market for a good few years now. You can also buy a pen with pressure sensors that mimics writing or drawing on conventional paper. With this development, the world of digital notes has opened up. With the emergence of apps like GoodNotes and Notability, you can create digital notebooks and store everything in an organised way. Everything that can be written by hand on paper can also be done on a tablet.

Advantages of a tablet

What are the advantages of using a tablet to take notes or do your homework? One of the biggest advantages is certainly organisation. You always have everything with you and in a more compact form than ever. You no longer have to carry books, folders and other learning materials. In addition, many learning materials can be downloaded, such as e-books, so that the school material can be accessed directly by the student. In addition, you have a large selection of pens, markers, colours and other tools to highlight your notes. There are hardly any limits to creativity and functionality. Another advantage is that you learn to use these techniques early on. Tablets aren’t only for gaming. They also allow you to be productive and creative. In the face of advancing digitalisation, this is certainly a key skill to master for your future.

There are also many apps that exist to support your learning:

• With Trello, you can create clear study plans
• With Quizlet, you can learn words in a more fun way
• Thanks to OneNote, you always have all your notes to hand
• With Forest, you can stay focused while you learn
• And with Padlet and Miro, you can create colourful mind maps and share them with your friends

If you want to know more about apps that help you study, check out our article on apps to help you study and stay organised.

Disadvantages of a tablet

A tablet is quite impressive, but it also comes at a price. Not everyone can afford to invest in this technology, especially if you already have a computer at home and a personal smartphone. In addition, the indispensable tablet pens, which you also need for writing, come at an extra cost. In other words, it would be too expensive for a school to buy a tablet and a pen for all students but parents also can’t be expected to pay for these devices. Moreover, in certain schools it’s not possible to learn with a tablet. Some teachers are not fans of digital devices in the classroom and it’s sometimes difficult to digitise teaching material.

Another negative point is distraction, both at home and in the classroom. The temptation to use apps like Instagram, WhatsApp or other games is very high and can impact a student’s learning.

Differences between tablet and a laptop

Why buy a tablet when you already use a laptop? It depends entirely on your individual needs. Many students already use a laptop at school, but even they have their limits. You can type notes, but it is often tricky to add symbols or complete drawings. This is a big problem, especially with maths exercises: complex multiplications, complex divisions and drawing graphs are very difficult to do. You will have to carry pen and paper as well as your laptop and have everything with you at the same time.

With a tablet you can take notes by hand and at the same time use programs like Word or Powerpoint with an additional keyboard. This means that all the features of a laptop are also accessible on the tablet. Also, thanks to SD cards, you can even expand the memory of a tablet, which is generally smaller than that of a laptop.

Conclusion

Should you buy a tablet or not? As you've seen, the answer isn't easy. It depends on your needs and resources - a tablet is not always a necessity. Until a few years ago, all students survived in school without a tablet and did most of their homework by hand or with a conventional computer. Moreover, not all schools are digitally flexible. If the teacher doesn't allow tablets in class, there's no point in buying one. But if you have the chance to have this resource, then having a tablet can definitely benefit you. You improve your organisation and avoid forgetting the things you need.

Digital learning, with a platform like evulpo, is much easier with a tablet because everything is just a click away. Besides, it’s certainly a big advantage that you don't need to carry heavy books anymore- your back will thank you!

It’s important to weigh up the costs and benefits before buying a tablet. But if you can't decide between a laptop and tablet, nowadays there are many great laptops that are so flexible that you can also use them as tablets. How about that?