Study Finds Benefits in Use of iPad as an Educational Tool

This article reports on a recent report on an initiative at Longfield Academy in Kent, England.

Longfield Academy in Kent, England is a recently built school covering years 7 through 13 (ages 11 to 18). At Longfield, they strive to provide a cutting edge learning experience incorporating a high level of technology integration in the curriculum. Over 800 students (the vast majority of students at the Academy) had or were issued iPads, across the full spectrum of grade levels (although not everyone had one, apparently a small percentage of students used other devices).

The report’s Executive Summary concludes, “The outcomes at Longfield clearly demonstrate the value of the iPad as an educational tool." Among the key findings noted in the Executive Summary:

• The overwhelming majority of teachers regularly use the iPads in their teaching
• There is a high demand from the students for iPad use to be extended further
• Teachers have identified significant benefits for their workload and have also identified cost savings
• Students are more motivated when using iPads
• The quality and standard of pupil work and progress is rising
• Appropriate use of Apps aids learning

The full report can be found here.