The impact of iPads on children - Research Paper Example

A number of studies have been conducted to show the positive benefits of iPads and tablet PC’s on children. In one such study conducted by Dundar & Akcayir (2012) that sought to try and compare the electronic reading performance, reading comprehension and reading speed of primary school 5th-class students using printed books and tablet PCs, the researchers selected a randomly selected sample size of 20 students. The study was designed in such a manner that the students were divided into the two groups of a control group and a treatment group.

Whereas the students in the control book read ordinary printed books, the students in the treatment group read the same text on electronic tablet PC display. The findings of the study showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in either reading speed or reading comprehension. However the study found that students’ opinions pertaining to the use of tablet PCs was significantly positive. The ergonomics, display quality and availability of tablet PCs was noted to have a positive effect on students who could read the text on the tablets like a book (Dundar & Akcayir, 2012).

Tablet PCs can be used in both the vertical and horizontal positions and the size of the text can be easily adjusted to allow for students to read the books more easily and hence make the learning process easier. The results of this study were found to be similar to that which was conducted by Clarke & Svanaes (2012) that analyzed the feasibility of giving pupils tablets. In this study, researchers established that the iPad greatly contributed to the motivation of pupils to become more engaged with school work.

The study also showed that tablets were especially beneficial to children that happened to have special educational needs. The technology promotes inclusion and improves communication and