iPads are the dominant tablet in U.S. K-12 schools

Apple iPads are the most widely used tablet computing devices in U.S. K-12 schools and are the educational tablets schools rank highest in terms of future tablet purchasing plans, according to Deployment of Tablets/Mobile Devices in K-12 Schools 2017, a new report from Simba Information, which specializes in market intelligence in the media and publishing industry. 

“Tablets, e-readers and smartphones are being purchased by schools for teacher and student use and are being brought into classrooms as part of bring-your-own-technology initiatives,” says Karen Meaney, a senior analyst in Simba Information’s Education Group. “However, tablet penetration in schools has slowed because of the growing popularity of Chromebooks.”

Educators surveyed for Deployment of Tablets/Mobile Devices in K-12 Schools 2017 overwhelmingly believe that using digital education resources such as tablets and other mobile devices in the classroom with students makes the learning process more engaging and personalized, she adds. However, less than half of surveyed educators said they have hard evidence—like test scores—that use of mobile devices improves student academic performance.