UKN Group, a leading provider of IT solutions in the United Kingdom, have commented on research by Tablets for Schools, a charity aimed at getting more tablets in schools, which suggests almost 70% of schools utilise tablets.

The report, which shows that there has been widespread acceptance of tablets in UK schools, revealed that 69% of primary and secondary schools are currently using the technology in their classrooms.

Despite this, it was also found that while tablet use is widespread, there’s not much evidence to show that they’re having a positive effect on the academic performance of students.

The study was headed by Dr Barbie Clarke of Family, Kids and Youth, a children’s research agency, and commissioned by Tablets for Schools. In total, 671 schools in the UK were quizzed about tablet use.

In all, 69% of secondary schools reported using tablets where as 68% of primary school ones did. However, tablets weren’t a main feature in many schools surveyed. It was also found that 9% of schools provided individual students with their own device to use.

Compared to independent schools and state schools, academy schools were revealed to have the highest tablet use. And for those not yet using tablets in classrooms, 45% report they have plans to introduce them in the near future.

These figures suggest that the tablet count in UK schools is set to jump from 430,000 to in excess of 900,000 in the next two years.

Dr Clarke, a former education department worker at the University of Cambridge, believes the role technology plays in schools is growing fast: “The type of device might chance, but it’s not going to go away. It will almost seem ridiculous if some of them are not using technology.

UKN Group, a provider of commercial IT solutions in the United Kingdom, often share their thoughts on relevant news and research.

A spokesman for UKN Group said: “The rise in use can only be a good thing for British students. Teachers report that otherwise disengaged students have performed much better and become significantly more motivated after tablets have been introduced, even going as far as to take them home to use for homework and the like. It seems like it’s having a positive impact on learn and behaviour and it’s great to see these technologies embraced by the British school system. It can only be good for the economy and the IT sector in the long run, as using such technologies will lead to curiosity and interest in more advanced elements of IT.”

UKN Group is one of the country’s top providers of managed IT services and professional IT services. Visit their website at www.ukngroup.com for more info.