An article (see article here) by the Irish Times has reported that St Coleman’s College in Claremorris has indeed given it's students a choice of replacing heavy books with iPads. I like the fact that the principle at this college has embraced technology and its inevitable presence in the 21st century culture, he states that “It is a bit of a unique idea, but we have to continue to move with the times".
I have a mixed thoughts when it comes to the idea of completely replacing traditional books with Apple iPads. Here are the reasons why I have mixed feelings about incorporating iPads instead of books.
- First off, the cost wise of these things according to St Coleman is €700, although paid over three years, it is still a costly device.
- Books have always been around as a facilitator and knowledge filled object that has worked in favour of education.
- With the growing rate of information found on the internet and educational apps, iPads are a heavy-free, accessible mechanism of information.
- iPads can be lost or broken. Information and assignments can be lost if unwanted currcumstances happen, which is inevitable with technology.
- Books can be lost, BUT the information will always be accessible as they are hardcopies.
So what do you think? For or against replacing books with iPads? To be honest I cannot make up my mind unless I actually experience and use this type of technology for my own classroom.
Until next time folks.
Fallon, J. (2011, May 30). School replaces books with iPads. Irish TImes. Retrieved from http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0530/1224298059002.html
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