iPad vs. Textbooks
School
districts who are switching to iPad and using electronic books as opposed to
the general text book that we are all accustom to are saving thousands yearly
that can be used for other programs in the schools. Technology has come a long way;
it has become part of our children’s lives, and helps kids learn faster and at
a higher level. There have been studies that show students perform better on
standardized testing when they have use the iPad with electronic textbooks
compared to their regular bonded textbooks. Students are getting injuries
because of how heavy all the books are that they have to carry around in their
backpacks. Students are more likely to find it more enjoyable to use the tablet
over a bulky textbook, which in return makes their learning a more enjoyable
and fun experience. People in the 21st century are becoming more and
more visual learners then in previous generations. Just think of all the signs,
billboards, and commercials that are used in advertising. If it is more
appealing people tend to want to be a part of it. All of these points show that
it is more beneficial for our students to use the iPad electronic textbooks vs.
the typical textbooks.
The
average textbook weighs about four pounds and when added with the multiple
classes that the average students has daily can become a very hefty backpack.
The iPad only weighs 1.88lbs and can hold every single book the student will
need. They will have all of their books available at their fingertips, which is
easier than carrying around a packed backpack. According to Brittney Curtiss’
article on TeenInk.com, iPad cost $500-$600 per student up front per student,
but schools pay roughly $500 yearly per student for textbooks (2012). The iPad
would not be purchased yearly and can last for a long time. The iPad software
can be upgraded, and so can the electronic books if there is a misprint that
needs fixed. According to a USA Today
article about schools in Hartford Connecticut, a school would buy 300 textbooks
for their freshmen class and if they bought the electronic books they would
save $4,000 (2011). Therefore, the upfront cost seems high, but overall the
cost of books would be cheaper by using electronic books on the iPad.
There
is tons of news reports about how our students learning is decreasing, but what
are we doing about it. Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt performed a study
where students used iPad version books and those students scored twenty percent
higher on standardized tests versus students who learned with traditional
textbooks (ProCons.com, 2012). Students
today have been born in the age of great technology, but our educational system
is still far behind. With todays education still behind the technology age
causes our students to feel bored and not pay attention. According to a survey
conducted by Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) found that 77% of teachers found
technology to “increase student motivation to learn” (ProCons.com, 2012). Having the iPad in the classroom opens doors
for more visual learning that is available with textbooks but is very limited.
iPad also lessens the paper usage the teachers will be using to give
assignments and pass back. Lowering paper usage also will save the school
districts money, and save on printer toner as well.
iPad
offers more than 20,000 educational applications for every kind of learner
including tracking grades, taking notes, track assignments, and study for tests
(Apple.com 2012). Teachers also have option with iPad to give lessons, monitor
progress, and organization. The learning applications that are offered by Apple
are mostly free, but they give the student a visual learning opportunity.
Students and even adults have become visual learners in the 21st
century. Take a look around and notice all the billboards, signs, message
boards, and commercials that are in our everyday lives. Apple has built the
iPad to make classroom learning more enjoyable for students, which has been
shown in studies that raises scores on the standardized testing. Why not help
our children have the best education that is offered, and get them iPad?
Do
you agree that iPad is the wave of our children’s future? If you think that
iPad will help your child talk with your school officials. Not only does this
electronic option save them money, it also has been shown to boost standardized
tests, and makes the classroom a more enjoyable place. iPad is lightweight, can hold all of the
books, and can be monitored by school officials. Therefore, based on the few
facts that I have listed above, iPad seems to be the answer to bring back this
countries education status.
Written By Kevin Keith
Reference:
Apple.com (2013). Educational Apps. Just a Click Away.
(2012). Website. http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/
Brittney Curtiss (2013). iPads vs. Textbooks. (2013).
Website. http://teenink.com/opinion/school_college/article/429550/iPads-vs-Textbooks/
ProCon.org (2013). Tablets vs. Textbooks. (2013). Website.
http://tablets-textbooks.procon.org/
USA Today (2011). Many US. Schools Adding iPads, trimming
textbooks (September 2011). Website.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2011-09-03/Many-US-schools-adding-iPads-trimming-textbooks/50251238/1
No comments:
Post a Comment