With the invention of tablets came a new generation of textbooks crammed into a single system called the e-textbook. This simple technology is perfect for schools as it provides students with advanced ways of learning. Offering benefits that highly outweigh the costs, tablets should replace textbooks because it will take our education system a huge step forward in the endeavor for student success.
Prudently spending money to purchase classroom materials has always been a challenge for school districts. However, recent statistics on school budgeting show that tablets are a viable solution for this issue, as they are both a smarter and cheaper alternative to regular textbooks.
According to a report from the Federal Communications Commission, school districts spend an average of $8 billion per year on textbooks. Because such a large amount of money is needed to replace textbooks, schools often keep the same materials for several years, resulting in textbooks that contain outdated information.
On the other hand, course materials in tablets can be instantly updated with the latest textbook editions, providing students with up-to-date information at all times. The price of purchasing online textbooks is cheaper compared to buying the hard-covered versions.
In addition, with the large number of classes that students take, carrying around a different textbook for each class can hurt…literally. While doctors recommend that people should carry a maximum Of 15% of their body weight, books for the four to five academic subjects exceed that limit. This results in over 13,000 backpack-related injuries a year for kids between the ages of 5 to 12. Tablets, on the other hand, weigh only about one to two pounds, yet are able to store thousands of information for numerous courses.
Tablets also come with features that regular textbooks don’t have, such as temporarily highlighting phrases, looking up unfamiliar words, and saving important information. This makes the tablet an effective device for students who find it boring and difficult learning with a regular textbook.
Schools should incorporate tablets as a part of the everyday learning experience as technology continues to advance. In the 21st century, it is essential that all young people have a fundamental knowledge of using electronic devices, as future jobs will require people highly accustomed to such skills. Learning to use tablets from a young age will not only encourage children to pursue a career in the field of electronics, but will also prepare them for the highly advanced digital world that we live in today.
As a country, we are given the opportunity to transform our schools in a way that will greatly benefit our students. This opportunity cannot go to waste. Replacing textbooks with tablets is a key change that will surely enhance a student’s way of learning, as well as develop a well-equipped generation of undergraduates ready to make a difference in the world.