Here's a vested interest trying to cherry-pick studies to make tablets in the classroom seem useful, and it's pretty thin gruel:
http://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/8-Studies-Show-iPads-i...
1. A study showing that giving kindergartners short-term exposure to tablet learning programs caused a short-term increase in literacy scores (probably just novelty effect)
2. A non-study anecdote from a med school
3. A survey showing kids prefer being given iPads to not being given iPads
4. The same kindergarten study again
5. A probably real study showing that math apps improve algebra test scores (probably through increased practice)
6. Another survey showing kids still want toys
7. Anecdote that tablets can improve accessibility for disabled students
8. Another legit-looking math study with a positive result
9. Another give-us-toys survey
Assuming these guys have done a good job searching for evidence of value, the only decent result for mainstream K-12 education is that it maybe makes math practice more palatable which would definitely improve math scores.
http://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/8-Studies-Show-iPads-i...
1. A study showing that giving kindergartners short-term exposure to tablet learning programs caused a short-term increase in literacy scores (probably just novelty effect)
2. A non-study anecdote from a med school
3. A survey showing kids prefer being given iPads to not being given iPads
4. The same kindergarten study again
5. A probably real study showing that math apps improve algebra test scores (probably through increased practice)
6. Another survey showing kids still want toys
7. Anecdote that tablets can improve accessibility for disabled students
8. Another legit-looking math study with a positive result
9. Another give-us-toys survey
Assuming these guys have done a good job searching for evidence of value, the only decent result for mainstream K-12 education is that it maybe makes math practice more palatable which would definitely improve math scores.