There are two sides to every story, every argument and multiple opinions to every topic. Each side has facts to back up how they feel and emotions toward every decision made. Tablets replacing textbooks in schools have been a controversial topic since children have started to use them in their homes. Students are used to seeing these devices everywhere but school and it is affecting their thoughts on education. Although textbooks have been used in schools for a long time, schools must adapt to the use of technology in everyday life because students use these devices outside of school and will become more involved in the classroom.
Schools have been reluctant to adapt to the new ways of our society. Many teachers and administrators are against tablets because of many complications that can occur while using them. Using tablets can increase cheating because of the large amount of access to the internet. Answers to tests are just one click away from the book they are reading. Students can just look up answers on the internet while reading the textbook on the tablet. (procon.org) Teachers would have to be on full alert when students are using them. Tablets have many aspects to them that can distract students in the classroom from their work. In order to access textbooks on tablets, each will have to have access to the internet which increases the risk of students getting of task.
Tablets, like any other form of technology, are easy to hack. One mass hacking can ruin an entire class period and prevent any work from being completed. In the days of technology, may people can hack a tablet in a short amount of time. Regular textbooks won’t crash and can always bring new information to students. Because tablets are so popular, they are expensive. Tablets cost a lot more than textbooks and aren’t worth all of the money that will be spent buying each student one to use in class or having to repair those that crash. Many tablets can be difficult to manage for those kids who aren’t exactly “tech savvy.”
Outside of schools, students have technology all throughout their life. It is looked at as a fun privilege and a main source of entertainment. If devices used outside of school are used in the classroom, students will begin to associate the classroom with their source of fun- technology. This will increase motivation and participation with the students resulting in better education. Teachers will be able to customize to what each student needs to be successful. Students have also been reading more on tablets. I, for one, read a lot more now that I have my personal tablet. E- Books are much less expensive and I can buy more without spending more.
For all you tree lovers out there, tablets replacing textbooks will save massive amounts of paper used. Each tablet can hold thousands of books resulting in fewer copies printed. A large amount of paper is used in schools also. Teachers give out printed handouts almost every day to students. Having E-Handouts will decrease the amount of paper used in the classroom. If a teacher were to put a handout on a tablet instead of printing forty copies, it would save not only paper, but money. Teachers spend close to “$4,000 each month on paper, ink and toner.” Schools with 100 teachers use 250,000 pieces of paper a year. (procon.org)
Students will also find tablets helpful with eliminating the amount of books put in their backpack. In high school honors classes, students will have a book and binder for every class. There are certain days when my backpack weighs at least fifty pounds. Textbooks get heavy but one single tablet can replace all six, decreasing the weight from fifty pounds to only two. One tablet can change the moods of students just by taking away the huge burden of carrying a heavy backpack around school all day. Students everywhere will agree that textbooks hurt and cause back pain from lugging them back and forth from school. Tablets not only hold a couple of textbooks but are capable of storing a substantial amount of data. A tablet with 4 GB of storage can store up to 3,500 books! The equivalent number of books would weigh close to two tons. (procon.org) I can’t even begin to imagine carrying that many books in my backpack!
Tablets can bring positive aspects to the classroom and make the schooling experience better for the youth of America. As a society, we must create an educational environment that students enjoy while learning valuable lessons for their time outside of school. They cannot be declined a great education because schools are reluctant to have technology involved with the learning process. Technology is a part of our future and we must embrace it and take advantage of its full potential. It can be the difference of a successful student and one who cruised through school like it was no big deal.