Netbooks as Tools for Learning

Starting out as a set of machines that were contained in a large room, the modern computer has been significantly reduced to the dimensions of a common TV screen, which is now the common desktop computer. In just a few short decades, desktops were reduced to clipboard-sized computers called laptops. Now, with advanced technology, laptops have become further miniaturised, giving birth to netbooks.

These devices are an evolving category of small, lightweight, and inexpensive laptops that are used for accessing Web-based applications and for general computing. Introduced to the market in late 2007, netbooks feature smaller screens and keyboards, and lack certain characteristics found in laptops and desktops such as optical drives and numerous ports. In just a short period since their appearance, these devices have become powerful in terms of computing power, matching those of standard or even high-end laptops.

The versatility and portability of netbooks have made them popular in the education sector. In many schools, both teachers and students use these devices as tools to interact with each other. Using these gadgets also eliminates technology-related problems such as incompatibility between home computers and school computers, data loss due to computer crashes, and printer failure. This is largely due to the fact that virtually all models can connect to the Internet wirelessly, allowing complete access to other devices, online applications, and servers without technical difficulties. Netbooks also allow students to conveniently do activities such as updating class blogs, posting important class information on wikis, participating in online debates and class conversations, creating or listening to educational podcasts, formulating and sharing presentations, playing educational games, engaging in brain training exercises, and accessing online assessments and textbooks.

Research has shown that the use of netbooks in classes can have significantly positive effects on student learning. For example, in a recent study, students using the device can easily access more information, which improved their data analysis skills. They also tended to exhibit better quality writing than those who do not use these computing tools. Most importantly, the devices also make the idea of student-centred learning easier to accomplish. This concept, which is a growing trend in education, focuses on increasing student motivation, encouraging logical problem solving and critical thinking, and promotes positive student-to-student and student-to-teacher collaboration. In order to learn more about the advantages of netbooks, read the articles on this website.