Tablet devices in education - beyond face value

If learners are to benefit educationally from the potential offered by tablet devices we must understand the nature of the legitimate concerns that are reported. In this chapter we therefore critically examine arguments and evidence relating to the use of tablet devices and smartphones in education. We do this by engaging with common concerns and issues: distraction from learning and potential negative impact on attainment, technology addiction, and online safety. We present evidence which we believe suggests that these genuine concerns associated with tablet devices and mobile digital technologies such as smartphones need to be engaged with beyond their face-value.