Portions excerpted from “Should Tablets Replace Textbooks in K-12 Schools?” via http://tablets-textbooks.procon.org/
V.
Publishing for the K-12 school market is an $8 billion industry, with three companies - McGraw-Hill, Pearson, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - capturing about 85% of this market. Tablets are a $72 billion industry with 42% of US adults owning a tablet. As tablets have become more prevalent, a new debate has formed over whether K-12 school districts should switch from print textbooks to digital textbooks on tablets and e-readers.
Proponents of tablets say that they are supported by most teachers and students, are much lighter than print textbooks, and improve standardized test scores. They say that tablets can hold hundreds of textbooks, save the environment by lowering the amount of printing, increase student interactivity and creativity, and that digital textbooks are cheaper than print textbooks.
Opponents of tablets say that they are expensive, too distracting for students, easy to break, and costly/time-consuming to fix. They say that tablets contribute to eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision, increase the excuses available for students not doing their homework, require costly Wi-Fi networks, and become quickly outdated as new technologies are released.
What are your thoughts? Should we switch to tablets for instruction, or should we keep textbooks? Use textual evidence from the article above and the stats below to support your statements. Do NOT use personal experience! Anecdotal evidence is not strong or valid support for your perspective. Use the S-E-E response format to help you get started.
Here are some stats on the pros and cons of using tablets v. textbooks to help you support your statement.
Pros:
1. Tablets help students learn more material faster. Technology-based instruction can reduce the time students take to reach a learning objective by 30-80%, according to the US Department of Education and studies by the National Training and Simulation Association
2. Tablets can hold hundreds of textbooks on one device, plus homework, quizzes, and other files, eliminating the need for physical storage of books and classroom materials. The average tablet contains anywhere from 8 to 64 gigabytes (GB) of storage space. On the Amazon Kindle Fire, for instance, 1,000 books take up one GB of space.
3. Print textbooks are heavy and cause injuries, while a tablet only weighs 1-2 pounds. Pediatricians and chiropractors recommend that students carry less than 15% of their body weight in a backpack, but the combined average weight of textbooks in History, Mathematics, Science, and Reading/Language Arts exceeds this percentage at nearly all grade levels from 1-12. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, during the 2011-12 school year more than 13,700 kids, aged 5 to 18, were treated for backpack-related injuries.
Cons:
1. Many students do not have sufficient home internet bandwidth to use tablets. Students "need home broadband to access digital content and to complete Internet based homework," according to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, but about a third of Americans – 100 million people – do not have broadband internet at home. A 2010 FCC survey found that nearly 80% of K-12 schools reported broadband connections that were "inadequate to meet their current needs.
2. People who read print text comprehend more, remember more, and learn more than those who read digital text. The brain interprets printed and digital text in different ways, and people generally read digital text 20-30% slower than print. According to Pulitzer Prize winning technology writer Nicholas Carr, peer-reviewed studies show that reading hyper-linked text may increase the brain's "cognitive load," lowering the ability to process, store, and retain information, or "translate the new material into conceptual knowledge."
3. Tablets have too many distractions for classroom use. Students may pay attention to apps, email, games, and websites instead of their teachers. 87% of K-12 teachers believe that "today’s digital technologies are creating an easily distracted generation with short attention spans." Four-fifths of students aged 8 - 18 multitask while using digital media.
I am going to start this off with an example of how to comment. If you want to do your own research on the topic to find further evidence, you can do so!
ReplyDeleteUsing tablets in schools would greatly alter the way we learn and teach. I think it would benefit students and schools, both. Downloading e-books rather than buying hundreds of class sets will save cash-strapped schools much needed dollars. According to Amazon, e-books cost about 20% less than print books (hint: that was evidence from the text to support my assertion). With that extra money, schools can update old technology, repair crumbling structures, and ensure each student has a healthy breakfast and lunch.
Another way tablets would help students is through building 21st century digital citizenship skills. The use of technology and the internet is now a vital part of nearly every profession, and our students need to be prepared for college and careers. For example, an article in TIME Magazine stated that the fastest growing careers for the 21st Century all require knowledge of technology. Our students deserve every opportunity for success; therefore, tablets are the textbooks of the future!
tablets or textbooks? I think textbooks should not be replaced by textbooks because then if your on a tablet it could shut down then you could lose the memory of what you were doing, what page you were on, etc. Then like it wouldn't be actually reading a book you would be using an electronic.
ReplyDeleteThe good things about the textbook would be that you could always know where you left off they provide reading with books instead of electronics.
adding to my comment you could also have bad wifi at home and It would be hard for some people to do the reading. Unless you had a textbook....
ReplyDeleteI agree with Megan because if your internet crashed you would have nothing to back up on. I also agree with Ms. Mansour because it would definitely be a lot cheaper.
DeleteI believe that tablets should replace textbooks because it would be a lot cheaper and students wouldn't have to carry around all the textbooks all day. In addition, I also believe that textbooks always have the answers while tablets may not always be correct.
ReplyDeleteHello! This is my reply to your statement. :)
DeleteTextbooks don't always have the answers. Often times, they do not contain the methods taught at school, but tablet information can easily be updated, and changed, which makes it easy, and we don't have to buy new textbooks!
Cheers, Sriha S.
Megan, that's a really good point about the home wifi. Some students, especially in rural areas, may not have good, consistent, reliable access to wifi. Are we denying them an equal chance at an education if we switch completely to tablets?
ReplyDeleteJackson, great job of considering previous commenters viewpoints and responding thoughtfully to them!
Good start, guys!
Hi Ms. Mansour! Man, if I had posted two minutes later you might have seen! Oh well, I know, I must be a patient cat.
DeleteCheers, Sriha S.
Hello everyone. This is my reply ^.^ Please take the time to read, enjoy, and reply!
ReplyDeleteI embrace tablets instead of textbooks, and find that there are many ways to solve the problems. Though I agree with you Megan, it's hard to find internet for some people, they can always go to the library, or Starbucks, etc. To Bas3ba11_fr3ak_9, tablets crashing and losing work can be prevented by regular saving of documents. Also, breaking is something that can be prevented as well. If a student cannot handle a tablet, they should be told to bring all of their textbooks to school, each and everyday, as well as repay for the tablets. Already, FSUSD does not allow certain sites, and apps and such can be blocked. Another thought I'd like to be at variance with Megan is that no, many people lose their place in books, and tablets often autosave. Finally, students may read slower, but my opinion is that it contradicts the fact that we comprehend less, and Kindles, etc. can help with their paper backgrounds.
Along with the contradiction of the cons, I'd like to introduce my opinion on the pros. Since many choose messenger bags over backpacks to look more 'professional', this is not ideal for carrying anywhere from 15-30 lbs. The average sixth grader carries 18.4 lbs per day! Moving on, if a Kindle takes up 1 GB per 1,000 books, that's up to 64,000 books! Think of how much learning could be accomplished with that! Easily this could take a child until college, and be well worth the expense. During the summer the school could update data plans, do repairs, etc. I agree wholeheartedly with you Ms. Mansour, the money could be used for so many things. You can get a Kindle for $70.00 from Amazon, and the average college students spending on textbooks and supplies, according to The College Board, is a whopping 1,200 per student! Multiplying this fifteen dollars per student, that is a lot of money saved. A tablet contains, to mention a few, flashcards, writing pad, notebooks, AR books, folders, homework, writing utensils, highlighters, agendas, and so much more.
To conclude, my belief is that schools should incorporate tablets as soon as possible, especially at the time when people are already in an adjust mode with Common Core. It is sure to help students learn in the long run, and minor problems can be adjusted to. Teachers, students, faculty, take note, the Age of Technology has arrived, and sooner or later we're going to have a technology world. So I ask you- Why not sooner?
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Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my comment and my opinions. I'd appreciate not only replies, but how I can improve next week on my paragraphs (Especially from you, Ms. Mansour). Thanks again! Have a great weekend everyone!
Cheers, Sriha S., the faithful Kiwi!
PS. Ms. Mansour, have you cuddled your kitties yet for me? I know Charlie, but who's the other one? I LOVE TEH KITTIEZ! <- Sorry moment of Kawaii Kittyness.
=^.^=
Sriha, your writing style is very clear, and the organization of your ideas follows a logical order. You have excellent paragraphing skills and great expressive language. Wonderful job of responding to your classmates and adding your own original take. Looking forward to many more discussions. :)
DeleteAww, thank you so much! I really like doing this, especially since I get to interact with classmates.
DeleteCheers, Sriha S.
Sriha adds a very interesting element to the pro tablet side: you don't need all those extra office supplies, like highlighters and note cards. They are built in! Would you miss them? Everyone loves a fresh pack of sharpies!
ReplyDeleteVery nice job of responding to others' arguments, Sriha, while maintaining your own strong position.
P.S. Buster and Charlie would love you! :)
Though some Sharpies are pretty awesome, these pens have a lot of cons. If the ink is swallowed, it can cause permanent damage to the lungs, kidneys, liver, and brain. If it is inhaled, it can cause nausea, dizziness, birth defects, make you intoxicated, etc.
DeleteThank you again, Ms. Mansour. :D
Cheers, Sriha S.
P.S. YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!! Buster and Charlie are adorable! I love kitties. (Did you know there's a study that proves that most of the time, cat people are smarter than dog people, because of their characteristics that make them 'cat people')
I belive textbooks would not be replaced by tablets. So I agree with megan. I spend a lot of timeat home using technology but it gets frusterating every time things fail to load or crash. Plus think of how much tablets would cost for a whole class. I had to pay $400 just for my small 4th generation i pod touch and it doesn't exactly work all the time. Some things can crash as soon as i try to open them.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand textbooks have been around for a long time and they never really fail to get the job done. Plus things like tablets can only hold a limmited amount of tings in it while if you make a book you can store al many things as you want just from simpley geting paper. Technolgy isn't as good as backing things as a book because a books information will always be there but with the internet your battery might die and you could loose the wedsite you were reaserching on. But with a book does not run on battery, you dont need to recharge it, you use for as long as you want. I know the age of technology is abon us but as of know a textbook is more reliable.
Hello Oscar.
DeleteI disagree with your statement. Textbooks are easy to lose, and can rip or tear. They're also very heavy, and can cause many injuries. Also, if you bargain hunt, you can get a Kindle for $70.00 when textbooks can cost up to $200!! Another thing I'd like to mention is that computers, tablets, phones, etc. often autosave. Google Docs already does this. And battery problems can be solved with regular charging. With a small amount of tech knowledge, which we will anyway need for the twenty first century, these problems can be fixed.
You mentioned that tablets only hold a limited amount of data. As I mentioned above, tablets can store more than 64,000 books, while using up paper is just killing trees. Scientists predict that by 3000, the Amazon Rainforest will be gone. Is that what you want your children to have? A treeless world, or a world where we can enjoy nature, and technology.
Thanks for reading! Nice paragraphs. And I totally get the whole rushed typo thing. Hey, that's another pro- Autocorrect!
Cheers, Sriha S.
I agree with Oscar. Tablets are way too much money for just a little thing. They cost way too much and they crash way too easily. For example I have to retype this whole thing that I already did because my phone decided to close on me. Tablets can crack too easily and break causing the school to buy more for the students. Flashdrives, Certain apps, cord chargers, places to put the tablets, and other things all cost money. We could be spending the money on other things such as the assemblys, dances, field trips, or existing sstuff such as the ice bucket challenge that we did on that day. Money is a high issue with this.
DeleteAlso let us not forget that tablets are a distraction with students. If you tell then to search up a video many will do it but some will go search up some other video on YouTube or netflex. Even if you were to ban it from the tablet then how could you even go and access the video that you wanted the students to watch in the first place? Also the same thing with searching up anything in general. For all you know kids could be on their own Google plus or on Facebook putting something like this: #AtSchoolDoingWork ;D. Then maybe put a selfie attached. What I am saying is that some student's can't be trusted with these kind of things.
Don't forget that they can hold up the whole entire class because they could be slow at typing or the tablet is ethier broken by aother student or the Wifi is down.
P.s. To Sriha S. Autocorrect is Sometimes not good because the student will not learn how to spell.
~Sofia K.
DeleteHi again!
DeleteI'd like to contradict some of Sofia's statements. Like I mentioned a couple of times, tablets are less money than textbooks. Also, schools can easily block social media. Like how San Jose Middle School does (my old school, hehe). Another thing is that Google Drive automatically saves, and students should learn to save. We might not need flash drives with all the GBs, and email and things to back it up. Lastly, students need to learn how to type anyway, and they can use keyboards or laser keyboards.
Cheers, Sriha S.
I disagree with Oscar and Sofia and agree with Sriah. Oscar, I think I know why your iPod wasn't working. it's probably because you have an older generation of iPod. Also, like Sriah said, iPads and tablets cost less than textbooks. Finally, I just wanted to point out that although iPads can crack, textbooks can rip or be ripped easier.
Delete(My name is Sriha). Though I totally get it, people misspell my name a lot. Have an awesome Labor Day!
DeleteCheers, Sriha S.
I realized there were a few typos in my comment so let me clairify:al is suposed to be as, timeat is suposed to be time at, and tings is suposed to be things. sorry about that. i guess i rushed to much:P.
ReplyDeleteReliability is a big concern as we debate the merits of tablets and textbooks -- good point, Oscar!
ReplyDeleteSriha, so glad you are enjoying this style of class discussion. I am enjoying reading my brilliant students' thoughts. I hope, as we move forward, you guys can suggest topics, too. I think I'll put a suggestion box in the room. :)
That sounds great. Last year we had a small topic in class on whether or not we should cap video games, Sparta vs Athens, etc. Do we do Philosophical Debates in this class? Last year they were a blast. Though I guess some of these relate to History.
DeleteCheers, Sriha S.
Making a suggestion box now! I know you'll have tons of interesting, creative ideas to contribute. :)
DeleteI personally agree with Oscar and Megan. I also agree with Sriha that tablets are better than textbooks, but it would take extra money. I think textbooks should not be replaced by tablets. Tablets would cost extra money, from wifi networks to the electricity they use to charge. Another problem with tablets is that you have to buy most books on the tablets to read them, so it defeats the purpose that they are cheaper. Like Shriha said, trees are cut down for books, destroying ecosystems. However, our ignorance has caused us to forget it is our responsibility to replant trees after we cut them down.
ReplyDeleteTextbooks are a better option because we already have many of them, and it is pointless to just throw them away when we replace them instead of making the most of them. Also, unlike tablets, they are less likely to be stolen. Although I do support textbooks, I wont forever. Its that im not sure schools have enough money to meet the changes and costs tablets bring.
We might have to get new textbooks anyway, what with Common Core. So instead, let's get cheaper than textbook tablets.
DeleteCheers, Sriha123
Adding onto my comment, I think upgrading to tablets is pointless, for the moment that is. Although tablets replace the need for computers and textbooks, I find that tablets are harder to use than computers. Touch-screen often makes it harder to type than computers, and do not have access to many things computers have. Tablets also bring more responsibilities to students and teachers, because it is easier to break a tablet on accident than computers in ways such as dropping them. In 5th grade I myself was put in a class with access to tablets. Many of my classmates were frequently caught looking at random photos on Google images. In a sense, I agree with Sofia.
ReplyDeleteBut couldn't we just block random images, or have something where the teacher could give access to students for images and such. To add, I'm typing on a Touchscreen Laptop (Chromebook), and I think it's very convenient.
DeleteCheers, Sriha S.
It was sixth grade. -__-
DeleteSo? I don't see your point.
DeleteCheers, Sriha S.
I was in his class, last year, I am just stating that it was sixth grade. ~Julian M.
DeleteI'd have to agree with Sriha because tablets would be a lot cheaper than having five to six $80 textbooks. If you had to carry your textbooks around, a tablet would be a lot easier. Using tablets would open up a brighter future of technology to us. It would be a great experience. Plus they would be fun to use!
ReplyDeleteTablets are already being used in the work world, why shouldn't they be used in the education world? Some schools use tablets, but very few. Even if they do they only have like like five per classroom. If we could use tablets instead of textbooks, it would be amazing. Just imagine what it would be like 100 years from now!
I believe Textbooks would be the best solution because tablets are unpredictable,they can die from lack of battery life,sometimes they don't have enough space depending on how many apps you have installed and etc, and if we had a black out it would be difficult to use without electricity.In addition textbooks would be more accessible during a power outage. People learn more from textbooks and the use of tablets would distract students from getting work done according to statistics and research. In conclusion, textbooks provide a better solution for instruction than tablets.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning!
DeleteTablets can hold over 64,000 books, and each textbook has about 300 pages in middle school. Multiply that by 300, then think of all the trees we save. To solve the battery problem, we can just regularly charge our devices.
Cheers, Sriha S.
Good Morning!
DeleteIt is a good thing to save trees,but then again you have to think about how much a tablet costs and how much money it took to just design the tablet and get it out of beta,money is also paper which means it also comes from trees.Also we can replant the trees we use for things such as textbooks.In addition some students don't have access to the internet,and it will cost them even more just to get those things. Also there are things called e-waste where old tablets can help the environment,and we could recycle our old textbooks to other students in need or use them to help the environment as well.
Yes, but tablets actually cost less than textbooks in the long run. It may seem that they are expensive, but compared to textbooks they are much, much cheaper. And your comment on how money is made of paper is confusing me, because I don't see how that relates, as we don't have to pay with cash. People's net worths aren't usually all cash, they are also investments and such. Combine the amount of paper per student per textbooks, and I can deal with some glitches. I'd like my grandchildren to be able to see the Amazon Rainforest, but they won't be able to if this deforestation goes on.
DeleteCheers, Sriha S.
After looking at many of my classmates posts & replies, I am ready to post myself.
ReplyDeleteTablets, in my opinion, are better than textbooks. All tablets and e-readers all have the option to read, write, take notes, & work on documents, etc. Textbooks weigh an average of 5 pounds, while most tablets are only 2 pounds, while you have to carry 5 books with you that are 5 pounds each, a student with a tablet only has about 4 pounds in his backpack! Also, as Sirha said, tablets can hold about 64,000 books, and it barely increases its weight!
Most tablets have apps, such as "S-Note," which I use frequently, some sort of reading application, a calculator, an emailing device, etc, that can be used OFFLINE! Also most schools have Wi-Fi, which can be used to download apps than can be used whenever, and there is always a library, Starbucks, etc. near everywhere! Also schools CAN & WILL block inappropriate websites such as Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, etc. Also payed apps, can be downloaded on multiple tablets with the same account, which I do with my brother, as we share the same account, so instead of wasting hundreds of dollars on apps, a 4 dollar app, cost, 4 dollars for the WHOLE SCHOOL! Plus, sharing is a feature implemented in most apps such as Google Drive, which also auto save. Also most apps in the tablets, can be accessed in home computers.
Although I can see how hard it could be to implement this to schools, this a step in the right direction in the Technological Age, especially with all this Kid-Safe apps.
Best Wishes,Reference to Pokemon Black & White, Julian M.
S-Note is an awesome device for taking notes! :D
DeleteThat's great that S-Note can be used offline.
DeleteCheers, Sriha S.
Hey guys, my reply is mostly based on reliablility less than the straight up facts and specs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sriha about the fact that tablets can replace textbooks because they save trees, money, space, and weight, but there are a few problems that tablets do have. For example, tablets can be misused and it can't always be prevented. For example if someone goes on wikipedia they can look up educational related articles that help with a project, assignment, etc. Whereas someone else can go and look up things about videos games or something when they are supposed to be studying. There is also the small chance that information can be lost, and it is impossible to retreive. There has been more than one incident when someone has been working on an app for a long period of time, and after a while the app or sometimes, even the tablet itself crashes due to viruses, hardware damage, and sometimes even poor coding. When it is late at night that can be a problem because the student will get blamed for the poor coding that the tablet has had. However, I'm not saying that the computer or tablet is always the problem.
Human error can be cause too. For example, if the student goes to a notepad and tries to type an essay, he then cannot turn it in. It wasn't the applications fault, but the students fault. The application was coded to create a temporary list or note of some kind that cannot be sent to other devices, but to be seen on the same device for later. For that reason, I believe that textbooks should be kept and should not be replaces by tablets.
-Asha A.
I think that tablets are better than textbooks for many reasons.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, when you have to study for a test, you might have to bring your textbook home. All of that weight can really hurt your back. If a certain student has either minor or major back issues, then the textbooks will cause a lot- if not more - pain. Since iPads are so light, they are less likely to cause any injuries. For example my algebra book weighs 5.2 pounds, 5 times more than my mom’s iPad.
In addition, teachers can make lessons for the students and the teacher can also put the Smart Notebook App on the iPads. Teachers can create their own textbooks that are always up-to-date and that the students can use easily. As a bonus, the teachers can use audio, video, and animation. For example, say that a classroom was learning about the Circulatory System and that class had iPads. Well, then they could see the different parts of the heart, move it around, and examine it more thoroughly. If they didn’t have iPads they would just see a picture with labels that say what part of the heart is what but they couldn’t explore it very deeply.
Finally, most students don’t use technology right now because the School District can’t afford iPads. Pretty soon the world will start to evolve faster and there won’t be as many books in the world. The world will have more technology. That’s why we need to help younger children learn more about technology by using iPads. Students can branch out and learn something new that might be useful later on in life.
Julian and Ahsa make a good point about the human element: anything we use, whether a textbook or a tablet, is just a tool. It is the person using it who makes it a useful tool or not.
ReplyDeleteSaskia brought up an interesting idea about the potential for greater interactive elements in a tablet. Her example of the circulatory system is a good one -- what about dissections? For those of us who might not like the idea of dissecting Kermit, we could do "virtual" dissections.
I'm really in awe of the maturity of this discussion. My students could teach adults how to disagree politely!
Oh thank goodness, we wouldn't have to actually dissect frogs...The poor things!!
DeleteCheers, Sriha S.
I agree and disagree with most of these comments. School should have both tablets and textbooks. I think this because yes, textbooks are heavy and expensive. However they have burnt a symbol through the heart of education. They symbolize schools and learning. Though textbooks are bulky, heavy, and expensive, they are tradition.
ReplyDeleteI also believe in using tablets because you can pack 3, 4, or 5 books in one tablet. However, the next generation may become distracted and pay more attention to the games and apps more than the teacher. They can also be expensive to replace. They would also break easily because of poor handling. Seeing as devices are our future, it seems appropriate to use them.
In conclusion, tablets and textbooks should be used in unison. For example, we already use Chromebooks and textbooks. Why shouldn't we use tablets and textbooks?
-Isaac E.
Everyone had great reasons to whether or not we should transition from textbooks to tablets. But I must side with transferring to tablets. To start, 2 out of every 5 children have back pain because of textbooks weighing them down. Textbooks can injure children by giving them back pain or shoulder injuries. But tablets are very light, about 2 pounds, that you might even forget that its even there.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason schools should change to tablets is because tablets are cheaper. Usually schools spend $8 billion on textbooks alone. but if schools use tablets, they could save between $250-$1,000 per student by using online E-books. In addition, tablets have been very expensive in the past, but each year the price of them decreases making them very affordable.
Schools should transition to tablets because we would save a lot of physical space in the classroom. By buying e-books we save room instead of having tons of textbooks piled in one area. Students can also do homework and quizzes on the tablets allowing teachers to have less paper work to organize. Also, if students do their homework and quizzes on tablets, the teachers could have the computers check the work saving them valuable time. Usually the space on a tablet could hold anywhere from 8-64 GB of storage space, allowing students to have much data on them.
In conclusion, schools should transfer to tablets instead of sticking with textbooks because schools could save money, physical space, and it could save students from back and shoulder injuries.
-Eliza A.
Everyone has a different opinion with good back up statements. I think that textbooks should not be replaced by tablets. Tablets would allow lighter backpacks, fewer books, and an easier way to complete assignments. However, if you need to look something up, it could bring up a website that can be edited by other people with false information. When on a tablet, it could mess up your eyesight by having to adjust to the light and looking at small text. Like some others said, if you're on the internet to do homework, your interent could crash or your wifi connection might not be strong. Some families unfortunately don't have wireless connection or wireless device.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, tablets can be broken and smashed. Textbooks can also be torn and ripped as well, but not as easily as a tablet can. The screen can be cracked and therefore making it harder than it already is to see. Textbook pages can be ripped and bent, but you can fix that with tape if needed, whereas going to the store and paying lots of money to get the screen fixed or the tablet replaced. I think that tablets shouldn't be the new subsitute for textbooks.
- Mailee C.
I disagree with Saskia and Eliza about changing to tablets because, tablets can cost up to $250,$300. When on the other hand textbooks only cost $80. In my opinion textbooks are better because 1, it increases spelling corrections 2, you would need to have Wi-Fi anywhere you would go. Lastly if you were traveling the battery could possible die and you wouldn't have a charger for it then you wouldn't be able to do any work on it then. When you have a textbook then you could use it where ever and when ever.
ReplyDeleteIn conclusion, schools should stay to textbooks and NOT change to tablets because of the cost of tablets, spelling corrections, Wi-Fi, and traveling problems.
-Payton P.
Tablets that can be used can have an average cost of about $60-$80, with everything included, like an app for taking notes, while textbooks are about $80, but you to buy extra supplies such as paper, pencils, pens, etc. in order to properly use them! So overall, tablets are cheaper!
Delete~ Best Wishes, Julian M.
Also, most apps can be used WITHOUT the need for Wi-Fi, & all tablets can have a car adapter in order to be charged on the go! Also, if you were traveling, wouldn't you want 100% of the battery anyway? Plus, 100% is about 4 hours, on the HIGHEST brightness! There is also the option to take off spell check.
Delete~Julian M.
Tablets should be used instead of textbooks because the pros definitely outweigh the cons. For example people think a con to tablets is your eyesight getting damaged. That can be prevented by using non prescription screen protected glasses. These glasses protect your eyes from the screen on your tablet. Also a pro for tablets and a con for textbooks is that textbooks have an average of 600-1200 pages in each book which is .028 of a redwood tree. Though it may not seem like much of a tree, imagine 200 million students all around the world having 4 -7 textbooks. Plus schools are asking the district for copy paper to print out worksheets when all they would really need to do it email it to students so we could work on it on the tablet. By doing this you are already saving millions of trees from getting cut down. So why are we killing the thing that gives us life so that your five year old can color on it?
ReplyDeleteIf you don't care about the trees, think of the students lugging around these textbooks 5 days a week. 1,400 children a year are being treated in the hospital due to their backpack weighing to much. If all students owned 1-2 pound tablets instead of carrying four 5-8 pound textbooks then less students would be having back problems. Overall tablets are better because they don't kill trees or innocent children's backs.
-Eva S.
I agree with Eva because tablets are easier to use than textbooks. You just need to search up whatever you're looking for and then there will be many sites with the information you want. Just one tablet can hold a lot more information than one textbook. Also, a tablet weighs less than a textbook does. It will be better for students to carry anywhere since a tablet is easily portable.
ReplyDeleteTablets motivate students. It influences students' motivation to learn because they may see a tablet as their new "toy". Also, teachers can more easily monitor progress, and give feedback on work quickly. Certain apps enable teachers to create a permanent record of each child's achievements. Additionally, students are more likely to share information and projects with each other, and with their teachers and parents. Tablets will increase a student in engagement and collaboration.
-Julianne R.
Overall I think that textbooks should be used in school instead of tablets. Ya it's true that tablets can hold tons of books on them and students can do work on them but there's a possibility that the device might crash( just like it did to me a couple minutes ago and now I have to type this all over again yay). Anyway if the device crashes it can delete the stuff on there then the books on the tablet has to be redownloaded and the student who did work on it has to redo work. Even though you can save on tablets there's still a possibility that things might get deleted and that there's a student who forgot to save. Tablets can also be distracting to students because they could just be on their tablets and not listening to the teacher. Theft is another problem with tablets because some students might try to steal the tablet they were given.
ReplyDeleteI disagree about the whole argument that tablets are better because they weigh less than textbooks and won't hurt students backs as much. Students don't really carry around textbooks all the time. They either have a desk to put it in or their teacher gives them their own copy of the textbook that they can take and LEAVE at home. So it's not like students have to carry their textbooks everyday. Also what If something happened to technology and there was no more electronics? Schools (and the world) would freak out because they became so dependent on technology that they wouldn't know what to do.
I believe that we should have tablets instead of textbooks. I believe this because it would be cost effective and save money, with that money we could use it for other purposes such as school field trips. Why is it cost effective? Textbooks combined for all the periods students have it would cost a lot more than a cheaper tablet. Although this idea also has its bad sides too.
ReplyDeleteI believe it also depends on the person that owns the tablet. The person could be clumsy or cautious. If the person is clumsy, they could drop it and it would be a waste of the districts money. If the person is cautious, they would be sure to always keep it in a safe place. Overall I believe that we should have tablets instead of textbooks.
-♤Ian B.♤
I believe that we should have tablets over textbooks. I believe that textbooks can cause back strain and it would save us some money if we didn't have them. For example, a typical middle school has a class set and a home textbook. This can cause lots of Money due to repairs torn pages or obstruction. Tablets, on the other hand, are usually a one time cost and are more convenient. You can assign homework or share a website if students are having trouble.
ReplyDeleteIn conclusion, I think that tablets should replace textbooks. On the news there is a lot of controversy about natural resources going away. Tablets can be a temporary helping hand to that.
I think tablets should replace textbook because tablets are easier to handle. They are much lighter, making it easier to carry around and have a lesser chance of getting ruined with all of the protective items you can buy like a case, screen protector, etc. On the other hand textbooks are heavier which could cause injuries and could tear even with a book cover. Tablets are cheaper than textbooks. Some tablets are as low as $50.00. Where as textbooks can come up to as much as $200.00. Since there is a class set of textbooks and a set at home and there is one for each person that is a lot of money used on textbooks when they could be used for field trips, school sports, etc. That would be more than $500 worth of textbooks used on 1 person.
ReplyDeleteTablets are an easier way to communicate with your teachers or friends if you are having trouble with your homework or help with anything. You can easily find answers to questions on a tablet but sometimes textbooks don't always have the answer. Also FSUSD have blocked many pages on the internet so that you aren't able to access them during class and get distracted. In conclusion, I think tablets should replace textbooks because they are much easier to handle, cost less money, and are a great resource for homework. -Isaiah A.
I think we should keep textbooks instead of tablets because when a student damages a tablet, repairing it may cost a lot depending on how bad it would be and some parents might not have that kind of money for a replacement. For example, I have an an I Pad and accidentally dropped it about 2 feet above the ground and the screen broke and it also cut me. On the other hand, textbooks wouldn't break as easily but if it does, it won't cost as much for a replacement. Sure the tablet creates more space for more things in your backpack, but it's more fragile than a textbook, and also a tablet is highly easy to be stolen by others. Tablets can be a huge distraction to younger kids because they don't know how to use all the apps or tools on the tablet so they might play around with a lot and same with older kids, they might mess around with the tablet also.
ReplyDeleteTextbooks may be heavy and may cause paper cuts but it basically has everything you need to know but in a different manner, tablets only have a limited source of space like how I Pads or Kindles might have 16GB or 12GB. Also, tablets cost a lot just for a limited space in it and it can have technical difficulties, while the text books doesn't have any problems that you have to deal with. Tablets can cause eye problems and textbooks won't do anything to damage you physically, except for paper cuts like how i was going through the pages real fast, then cut my thumb.
What I think about tablets and textbooks, is that textbooks are the best way to go. Technology is not perfect, it can cause problems like textbooks so there should be no reason why to replace them. I think we should stay with the original way of taking notes and reading.
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ReplyDeleteTablets are the better and more efficient option for a school to use. Tablets allow a key component called multitasking. This allows students to use notes, books, and other resources in a small compact space. Although, this may allow nooks and crannies for distractions and possible cheating. However this can be easily fixed with locks that make sure the student can't use specific apps while doing homework/quizzes.
ReplyDeleteAlso, to counter argue the fact that not all kids have access to internet connection, the fact is, they don't need it. Most apps don't require the use of internet connection. Instead you can just download the quiz or homework in school and do it when needed. Tablets can allow auto correcting and letting the students learn there mistakes and even give them assignments based on there mistakes. This will allow each student to work at there own pace. Now this does bring up a problem, for students that are falling a bit behind they might not be able to meet up with the standards, but this to can be fixed. Tutoring is the answer. Tutoring can be turned into a fun atmosphere and allow kids enjoy learning, giving them that little boost they need. Also to help with preventing failing classes you can make it so that during a time, a student has to complete a specific assignment before they can go back to what they were doing. All in all tablets are a more efficient way to allow students learn in the best way possible for them.
I think that having textbooks in class is a very good idea. Its easier to carry one tablet instead of textbooks. Tablets store a lot of data and make things more efficient. You can't lose assignments that you have to turn in because the assignment is on the tablet. You can also turn in homework at your house. Tablets can help classmates communicate with apps.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, the tablets could break or have water damage. If their is a power outage the internet would be down too. The tablets might get lost or stolen. Even if text from the tablet is harder to comprehened, the assignments given will help the kid understand.
Tablets are a great idea and help kids perform better in school.