A recent report for Ed Tech Magazine by technology journalist Steve Zurler explored the reasons behind why public schools are beginning to heavily adopt tablet use in their curriculums. The devices allow teachers to personalize instruction per student, and obtain instant feedback for tracking progress.

Windows machines prove to have the best compatibility for this endeavor. They are the most familiar systems among students, and would be the most comfortable to work with while moving forward.

Following the success of a pilot program, the Baltimore County Public School District plans to dole out nearly 120,000 Elitebook Revolve 810 devices within the next four years.

"While we expect to write digital curriculums for all grades in the next four years, the students who start out in first grade will certainly have the advantage of using this technology throughout their entire school careers," says Lloyd Brown, the district's executive director.

The Doddrige County School District in West Virginia will deployed about 700 Samsung Galaxy Note II tablets last year.

Zurler also reported that "Chris Silva, a Gartner research director who focuses on mobility, says that while tablets can make schools more flexible and productive, there are additional costs that IT departments should make senior officials aware of being making the switch."

Read about the four hidden tablet costs, and the full story.

By Samantha DiMauro, Education World Contributor